with out removing the head??
I was investigating what I thought was a lifter noise and looking at the #7 intake valve, the keeper is not seated in the retainer the way all the others are. It's a 66 383 with 915 heads.
What would cause this? The engine was sitting assembled for a long time. Could the spring be weak?

anyone??

You can do it without removing the head. Rent a spring compressor and fill the cyl with air. Check over the keeper and valve for wear or broken pieces. If you suspect a weak spring take to a machine to be tested.

What do I need to put air in the cylinder? Modify a spark plug? What do I need to do to make sure the air stays in. #7 intake is the valve in question. ( I have never done this before )

Pull the spark plug out and run a rope down the hole. Turn the engine over by hand until the piston comes up and pushes the rope against the valves. So long as you leave the crank stationary the valves will stay closed and you can service the keepers without worrying about the valve falling down the hole.

The air keeps the valve closed. An old trick is to use clothes line instead of air (if you don't have the fitting). Bring the piston up to TDC on that cylinder and push clothes line into the spark plug hole until you can't get anymore inside. This way there is always pressure on the valve to keep it from falling down on top of the piston while you are putting the keepers in. Use a magnet to get the keeper out and put grease on them and the tip of a screwdriver when putting them back in (the keeper sticks to the screwdriver while manuvering it). Pull the clothes line out and you should be good to go (any lint left behind will burn up.) BTW, you may have to smack the retainer with a socket over it to break the keeper free before compressing the spring. Plug drainback holes just in case...

Do you have a compression tester? An air compressor? You will also need an overhead spring compressor

that's how i do it

Awesome. Thanks for all the replies. MOPARTS RULES!!!!!!!!

Don't use rope to hold the valves closed. The only thing that should be put into your cylinder is air. I've heard of people doing the rope trick only to have it get knotted up inside the cylinder. You'll end up pulling the head.
Get an air fitting (or make your own) that fits into the spark plug hole. Make sure to have the line pressure at 0 when connecting it to the fitting. If you connect it with pressure in the line it will rotate the engine faster than you'll be able to react and you're liable to get hurt.
Once it's connected, turn the pressure up slowly to about 60 psi.
Take off the rockers, put a large socket on the valve retainer and give it a good whack to help loosen the keepers.
Then, compress the spring and remove the retainer and keepers.
Piece of cake.

I used an old spark plug wire instead of a rope once with no problems. I don't see one of those knotting up in there.

I used the rope on mine and it worked fine. Don't start it at TDC, have the piston down the bore some, feed the rope in and then rotate the engine to squash the rope.

Having said that, I think the compressed air would be quicker..but I was always worried that as you whack the retainer to free the keepers, the valve would open momentarily letting the air escape and possibly risk the valve dropping.....?

Well, used the rope. I have the keepers out and they doesn't look right. They don't look like the others, kinda rounded edges on top and they look like they are bent or kinked out of round.
When it was running it had a miss too.
Does anybody have a couple of keepers so I don't have to buy a full set?? Moneys tight.
I think I will replace the keepers and put all together run it a little ( gently ), then pull the covers and take a look. I still need to finish the brakes before I can drive it though.

how many grooves? I have these they are new.

If they are stock style keepers go to the junkyard and buy a few off a used engine.

Two groove.

If they looked distorted or compromised in any way don't attempt to reuse them. Pony-up for a new or good used set. You can drop that valve inside the engine even driving it carefully.

I will have new ones tommorow, local parts store.
Why would this happen in the first place. Springs?? P3690933 MP from @ 20 yrs ago. Not a lot of miles on them either.