Thread: Can it be done change valve springs with the heads on the engine?

Tweet

400 smb I`m going change out the cam and lifter I was wanting to know if I can change out the valve springs without removing the heads of the engine. if so how to go about it. what would be a good performance cam to installed in this engine as far i know it is all stock equipment.

Yup, you can. I took a spark plug apart and then brazed an air nipple to it. Loosen rocker arms Screw the modified plug in a spark plug hole, hook up the air. then use a spring compressor to R&R the spring. There's olther methods too, but this is how i do it.

Yep. Napa and others sell a kit that consists of an airchuck to screw into the sparkplug hole, and a compressor to remove the spring.

The idea is to close the valves on that cylinder, pump it up with air to hold the valves up in place, then you can remove the keepers and springs with the compressor.

I've got one, it works great.


I think KD tools and others make it.


Don


Sorry Pro, we were typing same time.

this is the air hose and compressor tool i use. all the parts stores has them. these are K-D TOOLS here

And!!! If you are lacking in the compressor department, get yourself a hank of 1/4 or 3/8 inch clothesline or braided nylon rope, remove all of the sparkplugs, rotate the engine until one piston is coming up, but don't bring it all the way to the top; insert the end of the rope into the sparkplug hole and feed as much of it as you can into the hole without losing the other end, then roll the engine on up until the piston presses the rope up against the valves. That will hold them so you can use an "over the top" valve spring compressing tool to remove and replace them. But, the air pressure thing is better.

Originally posted by Rrumbler
And!!! If you are lacking in the compressor department, get yourself a hank of 1/4 or 3/8 inch clothesline or braided nylon rope, remove all of the sparkplugs, rotate the engine until one piston is coming up, but don't bring it all the way to the top; insert the end of the rope into the sparkplug hole and feed as much of it as you can into the hole without losing the other end, then roll the engine on up until the piston presses the rope up against the valves. That will hold them so you can use an "over the top" valve spring compressing tool to remove and replace them. But, the air pressure thing is better.

AHHH,verry interesting.

Just . . . . don't . . . . drop . . . . a . . . . valve.

Uhhh...with the air compressor method, everyone forgot to mention to make sure the piston is at TDC before you remove the locks. That way, even if the valve drops, the piston will stop it from going all the way in. If the pistons not at TDC, be sure to add head and intake manifold gaskets to the parts on hand. The seals would probably stop it, but better safe than sorry.

I`m headed to my local napa store to see what kind of tools i should use to change out my springs.