I bought a set of heads from a guy that had been sitting in his garage for a while. I've bought a spring compressor from autozone (cheap one) and I can get the spring/valves off, but I can't seem to get them back on. The spring compressor pushes one side of the spring up against the valve stem so that I cannot fit both valve locks in. Any suggestions?

I've only done half of them, and some of the valves were stuck on the valve locks/retainer. I compress the springs and the valves just move with the springs. Any suggestions on that?

I haven't done much headwork before, but I don't have a lot of money and I like to learn by doing

Thanks,
Ryan

 

You have to move the compressor around a little. Negotiate with it.

What type of compressor are you using? Does it look like a big "C"-clamp?

 

To get the "stuck" springs off you need to take a socket or some other cylinder-shaped object and place it over the spring then whack it with a (rubber) hammer once. This will break the keepers free and allow you to pull them out.

Putting the springs back on can be a little tricky too but once you get it you'll be able to do it with ease. It sounds to me like you're compressing the spring wrong ...its kinda hard to explain how to do it properly I hope someone else can explain it ...If not tomorrow I'll take a picture (or video) with my digicam on how to do it.

 

I've got a cheap spring compressor. It looks like a crow bar. has a hole for the stud to pivot on, and to little "fingers" to press down on the spring, but doesn't press down on the valve stem. I couldn't get it to pivot on the stud, so I put a washer and not on the stud after the spring compressor, and I was able to compress the springs enough to get the valve locks out.

 

to disassemble heads you can use a socket or similar special tool and a BFH and smack the retainers and the keepers will come right off. as for reassembly you ought to buy a qyality compressor, one that looks like a c clamp.

 

Where can I find one of those C-Clamp style valve compressors? I can't seem to find one. I've looked comp cams, summit, jegs and can only find stud-mounted ones...none that look like C-Clamps. Thanks.

Ryan

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00947627000

 

i have a snap on and a k&d c clamp type cpmpresser, i like the k&d better but it's sort of been over worked and i sprung it a bit and it sits sort of side ways. my next one will be air operated.

 

heh, I ordered the Craftsman valve spring compressor from the Sears website and they cancelled my order because they are out of stock of them :-p Can't beat the price for $20. I'll look to see if I can find the K&D one on the internet.

 

i went to my local machine shop and seen one of these...

talk about a SIMPLE task to remove/install springs... made those c-clamps look like 100000000000000 billion mile high mountain compared to a ant hill.

 

Did you call the store to see if they have it? They should. The one near me keeps 2-3 of them in stock.