Swapping valve springs in the car

[Moparman141]

Just like the title suggests I’m looking to see what compression tool if any you guys of had luck using swapping valve springs with the head still on the car. I’m assuming pressurizing the cylinder with compressed air to keep the house closed and uncompressing bow Springs. I have my own shop done this before but the tools I have don’t fit this here. Curious if you guys have done this on car and suggestion on what works best.

[thedon809]

I've done it with other engines. I just use a leakdown tool to pressurise the cylinder.

[Moparman141]

I've done it with other engines. I just use a leakdown tool to pressurise the cylinder.

Yes I’m aware of pressurizing the cylinder to hold valves in place sorry if I didn’t make that clear. My question is what tool have you guys used to compress the Springs. Typical one I use doesn’t fit in there especially with the cam still in place. I wondered if guys out there have swap Springs and not touch the cam or if they have pulled cam and had good luck with a certain tool

[Reaper1]

Yes I’m aware of pressurizing the cylinder to hold valves in place sorry if I didn’t make that clear. My question is what tool have you guys used to compress the Springs. Typical one I use doesn’t fit in there especially with the cam still in place. I wondered if guys out there have swap Springs and not touch the cam or if they have pulled cam and had good luck with a certain tool

I did guide seals a couple of years ago. I ended up using the old school OHV compressor with the knob on the top...after trying ALL of the other types (except yanking the head for the C-clamp style). You're still going to have to take the 2 end caps loose to get the oil splash shield out of the way because no matter what, it IS in the way! Make no mistake...this was a ROYAL PITA and took a LONG time (for me anyways). You will want an extendable magnet and some reverse tweezers to put the retainers back in.

[thedon809]

Yes I’m aware of pressurizing the cylinder to hold valves in place sorry if I didn’t make that clear. My question is what tool have you guys used to compress the Springs. Typical one I use doesn’t fit in there especially with the cam still in place. I wondered if guys out there have swap Springs and not touch the cam or if they have pulled cam and had good luck with a certain toolOh. I just use a cheapie puller with the knob on the top. I'd take the cam off.

[minigts]

The AutoZone tool will work fine. You can also put rope in the cylinder and then rotate the crank to push the piston up and give the valve less room to drop. Did it one time to do replace the valve seals.

[Moparman141]

The AutoZone tool will work fine. You can also put rope in the cylinder and then rotate the crank to push the piston up and give the valve less room to drop. Did it one time to do replace the valve seals.
Never heard of the rope idea sounds pretty cool. I have a very basic knob style but he didn’t seem to want to work real good when I had to head on the bench. Went to using the C clamp style that I always have had luck with. I’m needing to do it on the car because I have exhaust springs in a week and causing a higher RPM miss due to excessive back pressure. A problem I will permanently remedy later when I get a better turbo and things of that nature but for now I just want this car run so I can go to the track see what she’ll do. Next season I’ll be building another engine

[tryingbe]

Do yourself a huge favor and just remove the cam.

[DOHCRT]

Use the factory tool, should still be available on ebay. Works great with the cam in place.

[chromguy]

Use the factory tool, should still be available on ebay. Works great with the cam in place.

Such as https://www.ebay.com/p/Sealey-VS168-Valve-Spring-Compressor-Lever-Type/1504318276 (https://www.ebay.com/p/Sealey-VS168-Valve-Spring-Compressor-Lever-Type/1504318276???) ???

[DOHCRT]

That's the one, kinda funky til you get the hang of it. Works great otherwise.

[Moparman141]

Such as https://www.ebay.com/p/Sealey-VS168-Valve-Spring-Compressor-Lever-Type/1504318276 (https://www.ebay.com/p/Sealey-VS168-Valve-Spring-Compressor-Lever-Type/1504318276???) ???

Thank you very much for that. Looks like the ticket for me!! Judging but the looks it will actually use the cam to pivot on? At any rate I’ll be ordering one tonight!!

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Use the factory tool, should still be available on ebay. Works great with the cam in place.

Awesome. Appreciate the help here. Many of you seem to be very willing to help and ansewer questions. Appreacate that!!

[Moparman141]

Use the factory tool, should still be available on ebay. Works great with the cam in place.

Awesome. Appreciate the help here. Many of you seem to be very willing to help and ansewer questions. Appreacate that!!

[135sohc]

The AutoZone tool will work fine. You can also put rope in the cylinder and then rotate the crank to push the piston up and give the valve less room to drop. Did it one time to do replace the valve seals.


The rope filling method is far more forgiving than relying only on air pressure to keep the valve from falling into the cylinder. I have done it a few times.

[Vigo]

Ive used the tool linked above and done fine. It takes some getting used to but after a while you actually get pretty fast at it.

[chromguy]

Thank you very much for that. Looks like the ticket for me!! Judging but the looks it will actually use the cam to pivot on? At any rate I’ll be ordering one tonight!!
Yes it does use the cam to pivot, I have the VS168 and it works. I used it to install PT lifters in the Sundance and CSX

[Reaper1]

You STILL can't use that tool on cylinder #1 if the oil splash shield in still there...been there, fought that...

[chromguy]

You STILL can't use that tool on cylinder #1 if the oil splash shield in still there...been there, fought that...
Yes I agree. I also removed the splash shield.

[Moparman141]

Thanks, I’ll be using that tool and taken the shield out👍

[Reaper1]

Might as well do the front cam seal while you're there...