Is there some way to compress a valve spring

Posted By: BassMan

Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 01:12 AM

Is there some way to compress a valve spring without taking the head off the engine? The intake valve on the #1 cylinder of my A12 Roadrunner has slipped down and the top is now flush with the retainer. I was hoping there is some way to compress the spring and pull it up without taking off the head.

Posted By: mark7171

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 01:25 AM

hughesengines.com makes a $65 tool.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 01:28 AM

putting rope through the sparkplug hole and bringing the piston to TDC works pretty well.
also knocking the porcilan(sp?) off a plug and brazing a airline fitting works too.

Posted By: BRawls

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 01:28 AM

Any auto parts stire will have a single spring compresor. It fits on th espring and then you tighen it and the spring compresses. Only $15-$20

Posted By: west

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 01:33 AM

taking the spring out is easy,you need to worry about keeping the valve in place.

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 02:16 AM

Fill the cylinder with nylon rope as mentioned and then roll it to the top, that will keep the valve in place. Take a 3/4 socket and a hammer and "pop" the retainer before you use the spring compressor, sometimes the retainers stick and this will brake them loose-I have had them come completely off when I do this, so make sure the valve is held in place first. The single spring unit is the cheapest and works well with most set up.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 02:17 AM

A valve cannot "slip down" if the valve spring/ retainer/ is all hooked up, the SPRING keeps the valve up. So if the valve is "slipped down" that means the clips must have come out?

You need to tell the whole story, here.

Also, KD tool used to make one that twisted to operate, it would work on many kinds of engines.

Keeping the valve up is easy with compressed air. Just take apart your compression gauge, or else make one from an old spark plug.

You sure you didn't break something or bend a valve?

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 02:32 AM

One thought to using a rope verses air is you don't have to worry about leaving it overnight to get parts. 440sixpack is right though, valves don't drop in the retainer, the grooves are interlocked and only fit one way. What does the cooresponding rocker look like on the contact pad?

Posted By: torkrules

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 12:10 PM

Quote:

hughesengines.com makes a $65 tool.

Comp cams sells the same tool and it works awesome. I'll tell you what I do (worked with my 500 wedge and Hemi), but I'm sure there will be much wailing and nashing of teeth.

First I tap all of the retainer with a socket. Then bring the piston up to top dead center for the cylinder I'm working on. Install your favorite valve spring tool. Gently pry on the spring until the valve contacts the piston. The retainer will break free and you can remove the locks. The piston stop the valve from falling in too far.

Posted By: west

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 01:25 PM

hey sixpack,show me how you remove a spring with the retainer in place

Posted By: BassMan

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 03:36 PM

Thanks for the info everyone. To make a long story short, the engine got revved up to 10,000 rpm for several seconds and immediately therafter had a tapping noise. When I pulled the valve cover I found 1 rocker had about 1/8" play and the top of the valve flush with the retainer. The rocker looks good. Is there a split ring washer which holds the valve in place?

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 03:57 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the info everyone. To make a long story short, the engine got revved up to 10,000 rpm for several seconds and immediately therafter had a tapping noise. When I pulled the valve cover I found 1 rocker had about 1/8" play and the top of the valve flush with the retainer. The rocker looks good. Is there a split ring washer which holds the valve in place?

is this a stock 440 ? if so it went into valve float several thousand RPM below that with it's hydralic cam ...

there is a pair of half circle locks that set down inside retainer , for the valve to have moved down the locks are damaged or the retainer , or both .

you can buy an inexpensive compressor at a local sears store , use something to hold the valve from dropping in the cylinder ...

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 04:04 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the info everyone. To make a long story short, the engine got revved up to 10,000 rpm for several seconds and immediately therafter had a tapping noise. When I pulled the valve cover I found 1 rocker had about 1/8" play and the top of the valve flush with the retainer. The rocker looks good. Is there a split ring washer which holds the valve in place?

The valve locks at the top of the valve look like two half-circles. When you compress the spring with force on the retainer locks will be visable and easily removed. Interesting what happened--are you thinking just the valve stem was destroyed? I am surprised the rocker looks good. Or did the lock fail? Doesn't sound like wiped lobe simply because that wouldn;t explain the top of the valve being flush with the retainer.

Posted By: BassMan

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 04:14 PM

It does have a hydraulic cam. It appears that the locks may have failed, at least I'm hoping that is all that happened. But the next question is would the valve and/or piston be damaged by possible contact?

Posted By: torkrules

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 04:41 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the info everyone. To make a long story short, the engine got revved up to 10,000 rpm for several seconds and immediately therafter had a tapping noise. When I pulled the valve cover I found 1 rocker had about 1/8" play and the top of the valve flush with the retainer. The rocker looks good. Is there a split ring washer which holds the valve in place?

10,000!

Might not be a bad idea to check out a few other things (bearings, block, etc). My feeling is that 7000 would be tops unless your using ultra light weight parts, good oiling system, etc.

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 05:33 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Thanks for the info everyone. To make a long story short, the engine got revved up to 10,000 rpm for several seconds and immediately therafter had a tapping noise. When I pulled the valve cover I found 1 rocker had about 1/8" play and the top of the valve flush with the retainer. The rocker looks good. Is there a split ring washer which holds the valve in place?

10,000! Might not be a bad idea to check out a few other things (bearings, block, etc). My feeling is that 7000 would be tops unless your using ultra light weight parts, good oiling system, etc.

hyd cam , stock build , the valve train failure happened because of serious valve float which probably happened just under 700rpm unless this was a purpose built motor , meaning super stock or a PS drags contender .

i'd be looking at them ALL , not just that one .

damaged to the piston and valve might have occurred , a leak down test will tell you if the valve is bent and not closing from piston contact .

if its got stock 69 spec pistons i doubt there was piston to valve contact with that piston .040ish in the hole .

Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda

Re: Is there some way to compress a valve spring - 05/19/08 05:59 PM

ive taken my compression tester, took the gauge off and hooked my air compressor line to it to hold pressure in the cylinder...

...and 10,000rpm!?

Thats no street bike