How to change valve stem seals?

[3Bar_Mopar]

Without using a spring compressor? There has got to be a trick using a screwdriver or something.....I don't have a valve spring compressor and I want to know if there's another way!

[ssheen]

Not like TurboDave a few threads below.

I have seen a few do it with a crow bar, large screw driver etc. Personally I prefer the spring compressor.

[Boogieman142]

are the heads off the car, or on it, if they are off it you can try a socket and tap on them. the spring compressors are much better though. u can get one at sears for like 40 i think.

[turbovanman²]

Don't even try it without the proper tools, you will be cursing, swearing and you will probably not finish the job, or at the very least, do more damage than good.

[BadAssPerformance]

I bought my spring compressor for $10 at Sears, well worth the price.

[3Bar_Mopar]

I might just have to break down and buy the damn compressor....

[turbovanman²]

I might just have to break down and buy the damn compressor....

Either that or you break something else,

[Turbodave]

I think it was $17.99 for the spring compressor at Sears last week when I bought it. I've used misc tools to remove keepers and get a spring off, but trying to get them back on without a spring compressor would be a challenge.

See my thread on what not to do before you start, spent a good chunk of an afternoon trying to retrieve a dropped valve with a magnet

[Subliminal]

That's probably a tool you could 'loan' out at autozone for free, no?

[turbovanman²]

That's probably a tool you could 'loan' out at autozone for free, no?

They probably do but for $20, why bother,

[Subliminal]

Simon,

You can tell you aren't married...or poor. LOL

If I spend another penny on my GTS (after my wife basically forbade me to buy it), I think she'd skin me alive.

That being said...good point...grin

[ssheen]

I have a good friend that uses a big pry bar of some sort. He is the shop foreman at a local speed shop. I was very suprised to see him use that. He was quicker with that than I am with my spring compressor. Admitly, that is not saying too much. This was with the cam in the head. Obviously it can be done, but as the others say a spring compressor does make it easy.

[turbovanman²]

Simon,

You can tell you aren't married...or poor. LOL

If I spend another penny on my GTS (after my wife basically forbade me to buy it), I think she'd skin me alive.

That being said...good point...grin

Hahahaha,

Trust me, I am poor but sometimes, yeah, it just makes sense, lol!

[Directconnection]

are the heads off the car, or on it, if they are off it you can try a socket and tap on them. the spring compressors are much better though. u can get one at sears for like 40 i think.

Bad idea! Using the socket trick works quick and easy for valves you do not care about using again. The reason it works, is because the valve head actually bottoms out and will get bent. Not enought to notice by eye, but enough that it will cause runout and should be avoided. Get the proper valve spring compressor tool. I got mine at Sears and had to modify it to make it clear the cam towers and is a beeothc to use, but it works. Someday, I'll *spring* for the proper ohc tool.

[Subliminal]

Pun intended?

[Directconnection]

Pun intended?

Ayuh!

[cordes]

That's probably a tool you could 'loan' out at autozone for free, no?

They did not have the lever style when I went in there. The lever style compressor is the only way to go IMHO.