Anyone in Va got a valve spring compressor i can borrow? Or any ideas on how to replace valve springs without one would be nice. Also when replacing the retainers, can i reuse the keepers?

 

Just want to tag on here with a near similar question.

I'm thinking about buying a valve spring compressor so I can replace the valve seals on my car myself. But I don't want to pull the head off. You have to pump air into the spark plug hole to keep the vavles from falling into the cylinder. Has anyone done this? What did you use to pump air in the cylinder? I don't have an air compressor, so I may be screwed. Just curious if anyone has done it, their experience, and any gotchyas I should look out for.

Note: I have the helms manual and a general inclination for things mechanical.

 

I thought the valve seals were the metal rings inside of the cylinder that rested on the valve. They're made out of steel right?

 

speedymon: those are valve SEATS

You cannot change the valve stem/guide seals with the head on the car.
(well i suppose you can but it would take FOREVER and be near impossible)
You should remove the valve to change the seals.

 

thats what i mean't

 

The helms manual lays the procedure out to change the valve seals with the head on the car. But it does look a lot simpler with the head off.

page 6-5 if you have one in front of you.


[Modified by porch, 1:20 PM 1/23/2002]

 

all you have to do to take them off is use a 12-16mm sockest w/extension and a hammer and whack the top of the retainer. the valve guides will just fall out. you will have to get a special snap-on specialty tool for the the install. most of the valve spring compressors are to big and cant fit in the head.

 

guides wil fall right out?
dont you mean the valve locks/keepers?
You dont want to do that with the head on the car, you have a great chance
to lose them.

 

iam a *** vlave keepers. nah man i allways take the head off while doing valves.-

 

BTW, it's not too difficult to make your own valve spring compressor..