I got a set of valve springs and retainers I need to put in with my CTR cams. I want to know if I really have to take the head off to install the springs because I really really really dont want to take the head off. I can have my car down for too long because I have to drive to work every day.

Does anyone know a site with instructions on installing the springs and retainers with the head on? Ive heard its really hard but how hard? What all is involved?

 

i am almost positive there is a risk of you droping a valve in the cylinder and you will not be able to get it back. besides it would be a good time to remove the carbon build up!!

 

that shouldnt be a problem if i pressurize the cylinder or raise the piston the the valve cant fall inside. Has anyone ever changed their springs with the head on? What tools do I need? anyone have part numbers for the tools?

 

just take the head off! do you have a spring compressor? feeler gauge? and have you ever tried to take off the drive pulley?

 

Just do it right, theres no such thing as quality short cuts.
Its not that hard to take off the head anyways.

Wil http://www.exospeed.com

 

Everything is easy except the keepers.
There is 2 keepers for each valve/spring/&retainer combo.
A magnetic pick-up tool will be your friend.

I found out that there is no tool that can really install keepers.
Its better to use your fingers while the spring/retainer is safely compressed (centered). Getting the keepers to stay in place will be the hardest thing. Not fun for first timers. Even practice wont make perfect. Practice will just give you the idea. 75% of the time you will have a keeper that will have a mind of its own. It can get time consuming (16 spring/retainer combos). When springs dont compress straight it moves the retainer holes for the keepers off valve stem center. Making it hard to install the keepers.

For removing and installing valve springs without having to remove the head, there is a universal kit that works well. I saw it on Snap-On for $70+, but you can get the same kit from Northern Tool Equipment Co.

$50 Part# 154125 from Northern

Bad thing is.. the kit came with 2 fittings to use with air compressor for the spark plug hole. None of them fit our cylinder heads. Actually one of them 'fits' but it has the wrong thread. You will have to find one that fits.

You will find out that this kit is also good while the cylinder head is off.
Heres how you would set it up..

Anchor the adjustable bases using your camshaft journal locations & journal bolts.
For removal, you compress down on the retainer and use a magnet to grab the keepers when theyre exposed. Valve must be static (closed) to accomplish this. Since the head is on the block, you will use compressed air through spark plug hole while piston is TDC to prevent the valve from opening. You will also use compressed air when installing. Keep steady & centered pressure down on the retainer. Concentrate on getting the keepers around valve stem. Lift out carefully [keeper(s) might move]. If everything goes well.. the keepers will hook onto the valve stem groove and retained within the retainer.

-Quick 200k Mile Motor

 

Wow thanks for the info. So I'll pick up that kit from snap-on and thats all the tools I need for the install? I figure if i drop a valve in or something I'll just take the head off but hopefully I can pull this off.

 

i changed mine with that same tool from snap on but it is very time consumming just take your time and do not drop a keeper because you will have too drop the whole oil pan too get it out

 

Its too high priced from Snap-On.
Get it from Northern Tool & Equipment Co.

Update: Just found out that the kit is $113 from Snap-On
From Northern its $60 shipped.


[Modified by Quick 200k Mile Motor, 7:29 AM 3/21/2002]

 

A couple of tips for doing valve springs without removing the head:
#1-do one cylinder at a time and put the piston at tdc on the cylinder that you are doing-that way, even if you bump the valve and it drops, you won't "lose" it. You will be able to pull it back up.
#2-put a light coating of Honda power steering grease on the retainer (in the hole) to help the keepers stay put.It will save you time and aggravation.LOL

 

anybody who says that you have to pull the head off to change valve springs doesnt know what they are talking about.
All you need is a compression tester kit. First- find the correct adapter to fit in you spark plug hole.
Second- take the schrader valve out of the end of the adapter
Third- get an air hose and connect the air hose to the compression tester adapter(to fill the cylinder up with air) then just pop the valve springs off one at a time and replace them
I dont think that you will have to worry about dropping a valve into your engine when there is 90 psi of air pushing up on the valve from inside. I know this because I have done this. I am also a certified honda mechanic. There are all kinds of time saving methods for all different types of jobs.

 

My 2 cents: Put a rag or paper towel in the oil return hole. I dropped a keeper in one of those holes i ended up taking out the oil pan to retreive the keeper.