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Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: dOc !] #1413795 04/05/13 11:36 AM 04/05/13 11:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,166 CT GTX MATT master
GTX MATT master Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,166 CT	The tool is trick, 200 bucks is a bit steep but I kind of want one, I need to install my second springs after break in, and I really don't want to fool around with crappy tools trying to put the inner springs in a brand new engine. And the kit looks good Ron, I was having trouble finding studs for hold downs and thought I was going to have to custom make my own kit, but this makes it easy. Thanks for the info. Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: GTX MATT] #1413796 04/05/13 12:30 PM 04/05/13 12:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: The tool is trick, 200 bucks is a bit steep , I'd suggest a plumbing T, a long threaded plumbing nipple to screw into the T for a handle, a sleeve inside to protect the rocker shaft from the inside threads on the T & the only slightly harder part is welding a pair of tabs on the T to contact the retainer live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: RapidRobert] #1413797 04/06/13 07:16 AM 04/06/13 07:16 AM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,723 North Austin KnuckleDuster top fuel
KnuckleDuster top fuel Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,723 North Austin	Tim (70Dart360) R.I.P. Told me just to use the crank type valve spring compressor they sell at most every parts store,along with rope and a magnet for the keepers. I'm getting ready to do it next week while off work. Any serious drawbacks or tips? P.S. -I don't have shop air for that trick or a welder to make a tool from a rocker.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: KnuckleDuster] #1413798 04/06/13 05:22 PM 04/06/13 05:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,144 Arkansas 340727dart master
340727dart master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,144 Arkansas	Quote: Tim (70Dart360) R.I.P. Told me just to use the crank type valve spring compressor they sell at most every parts store,along with rope and a magnet for the keepers. I'm getting ready to do it next week while off work. Any serious drawbacks or tips? P.S. -I don't have shop air for that trick or a welder to make a tool from a rocker. Depending on how stiff the springs are, that tool can be a bit difficult to turn. So, I welded an old 3/4" half-inch drive socket onto the star wheel. Now I can use a ratchet wrench to turn the tool and it makes the job a whole lot easier. Your life is not my fault. My life is none of your business. Speech is free only if you agree with those in control.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: 340727dart] #1413799 04/06/13 08:37 PM 04/06/13 08:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,723 North Austin KnuckleDuster top fuel
KnuckleDuster top fuel Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,723 North Austin	I was kinda wondering how hard it would be to turn that little knob. I might have to enlist a friend to weld a socket on. I could probably get help to make a tool from a rocker as well but would like to be able to use both hands on the keepers. Thanks for the tip!

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: KnuckleDuster] #1413800 04/06/13 08:43 PM 04/06/13 08:43 PM
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,844 Kirkland, Washington Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,844 Kirkland, Washington	I just got done replacing valve seals on a 440 this morning. Used air. Used a spring compressor with. T handle on top-very common. Definitely use a strong small magnet to draw the keepers out. Also use a mallet or hammer on your spring compressor to pop the keepers loose. It's an easy job.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: GTX MATT] #1413801 04/07/13 02:39 AM 04/07/13 02:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md 3 383man Too Many Posts
383man Too Many Posts 3 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md	Quote: The tool is trick, 200 bucks is a bit steep but I kind of want one, I need to install my second springs after break in, and I really don't want to fool around with crappy tools trying to put the inner springs in a brand new engine. And the kit looks good Ron, I was having trouble finding studs for hold downs and thought I was going to have to custom make my own kit, but this makes it easy. Thanks for the info. Same deal for me as I wanted a tool to make it easy and make no messes on my new eng. You cant beat this tool as you dont have to use one hand to hold a T handle and keep the spring pushed down. You just screw the allen screw down until the spring is far enough down. Then you have both hands to use a magnet if you like and the other hand can make sure the keepers hook to the magnet. Going back in is so easy as you have both hands to get the keepers in posistion on the valve. Its just so much nicer to me when working on my new 493 to have both hands and be sure I dont drop anything and it all goes together real good. Ron

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: 383man] #1413802 04/07/13 11:45 AM 04/07/13 11:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,472 Lubbock, TX E Erics5th UsedtobeSatellite6
Erics5th UsedtobeSatellite6 E Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,472 Lubbock, TX	I've used vacuum line to keep the valves in instead of rope. Depends what you have laying around... Eric

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: Erics5th] #1413803 04/09/13 12:58 PM 04/09/13 12:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,465 Carson City, NV B babarracuda OP pro stock
babarracuda OP pro stock B Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,465 Carson City, NV	I bought the tool from Proform. The holes for the bolts were off a litle. I drilled a slightly larger hole. My problem is that my big fingers can't seem to get the keepers installed. I took a pair of needle nose pliers and gound a groove so the keeper would stay in the pliers. That got the first half in but I can't seem to get the second half in place. I need a mechanic with thin fingers. Getting old is not for sissies. Tarnished not Golden years.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: babarracuda] #1413804 04/09/13 01:34 PM 04/09/13 01:34 PM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,377 Ohio Todd pro stock
Todd pro stock Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,377 Ohio	I used the magnet on a pocket screw driver and the tip of my finger. No way would I try that with out. They would just end up on the floor or in the engine. I also used the Proform tool. No air just the piston at TDC on that cylinder.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: Todd] #1413805 04/09/13 07:30 PM 04/09/13 07:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,465 Carson City, NV B babarracuda OP pro stock
babarracuda OP pro stock B Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,465 Carson City, NV	I wish I were not a 71 year old man with a bad back and eyes just to name a couple of issues. Remember, don't get old!!

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: babarracuda] #1413806 04/19/13 11:40 PM 04/19/13 11:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,723 North Austin KnuckleDuster top fuel
KnuckleDuster top fuel Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,723 North Austin	The $20 parts store tool and 38 cents worth of rope worked just fine for me! Thanks guys! MUCH easier than I thought it would be.Had to remove my brake booster and fan for access,but other than that it was a breeze.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: KnuckleDuster] #1413807 04/20/13 11:19 AM 04/20/13 11:19 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,719 Space Station #5 471Magnum master
471Magnum master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,719 Space Station #5	Done more on car valve spring R&Rs than I care to recall. Did it with clothes line rope several times before I had an air compressor. I've used the universal KD tool, which is brutal on the hands with stiffer springs (wear a glove). Won't work with B-hives IIRC. Can be very difficult with doubles since it doesn't compress the inner coil. Have one of these now. Working clearance can be a little tight around the booster/MC, as well as around the Kick Down linkage. No show stoppers. A little challenging on the small beehive retainers too. Much quicker than the KD tool. Works good off the car too if you just bolt the head to the work bench. You can also put a cheater pipe on the lever tool and then tuck it under your arm to free up a hand while you're fumbling with the keepers. Last edited by 471Magnum; 04/20/13 11:22 AM. -Jim I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman. He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it. Currently Mopar-less

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: 471Magnum] #1413808 04/20/13 11:33 AM 04/20/13 11:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,318 Ohio J jlatessa pro stock
jlatessa pro stock J Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,318 Ohio	Ditto on the K-D tool, my hands sing the blues the next day. Mind you I've only worked on big block wedges, but all I've ever done to change springs or seals was to have that cylinder on TDC, plug out. and using a small bent little screwdriver through the plug hole to hold the valve against the seat to remove the locks with a magnet. The valves won't drop out of sight with the piston up top. I use a little rap on the retainer to free up the locks before compressing the spring. BUT....keep some rags blocking the drain passages before you start!! Joe

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: babarracuda] #1413809 04/20/13 11:41 PM 04/20/13 11:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 259 Khemi, Stygia Mebsuta enthusiast
Mebsuta enthusiast Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 259 Khemi, Stygia	Marked for later because I'm about to do this. Will replace 45 year old originals with OEM replacement. 68 Roadrunner. 383 4-spd. Beat up.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: 471Magnum] #1413810 04/21/13 08:41 AM 04/21/13 08:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,022 Andrews,In. U.S.of A. 6 67_Satellite super stock
67_Satellite super stock 6 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,022 Andrews,In. U.S.of A.	I've got the KD tool, but welded a 3/4" nut on it years ago to use a ratchet. Used to do lots of them on smokin' used cars(mostly brand X) back in my tech. days. I always just brought the piston to t.d.c. and never used air or rope or anything.Unless your piston is 4" down the cylinder at t.d.c.(!)where's it gonna go?Haven't lost one down the hole yet.

Re: changing valve springs on engine [Re: 67_Satellite] #1413811 04/21/13 10:28 AM 04/21/13 10:28 AM
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,318 Ohio J jlatessa pro stock
jlatessa pro stock J Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,318 Ohio	Amen

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