This may be one of those stupid questions
I am trying to disassemble the head. I have everything set up, but all I can do with it is open up the valve. I have tried holding the valve in while pressing down on the valvespring with the compressor, but I cant make it work. Am I doing something wrong?
How do you make it work?

 

i'm assuming your doing this with the head on the block. U should have the engine at TDC with all the valves closed. U need to fill the cylinders with compressed air, so the valves stay closed when you compress the valve spring and retainer. When you do that the valve should stay closed and stay put. Then all you have to do is remove the 2 small lockers that lock the retainer to the steam of the valves. Once you remove the lockers then the springs are free to be removed.

 

Actually the head is not on the block. When I press down on the retainer the valve is pushed open.

 

pack some rags in the chamber to keep the valve closed. I hate using that tool off the car so I got one of the c-clamp style.

 

if its off the head then put something beneath the valve to keep it from opening. or use the c clamp style one like this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

 

I tried stuffing rags in the chamber, but I was affraid I was doing something wrong. I'll try to use more force or just buy that other tool if I cant make it work. Thanks for the help guys.