Valve spring removal

[Suzuki_Don]

It's easier to remove them with something like a spark plug socket and a small hammer. A quick wrap usually dislodges the valve keepers. You would need the C clamp for the reinstall...

But don't forget the 1/2 tennis ball in the combustion chamber. Stops the valve from depressing when the BIG WHACK from the hammer comes.

[Suzuki_Don]

So, just take a socket, place it over the spring, wack it with a hammer to release the keepers and the whole she-bang should just come out.......makes sense. I guess the keepers are contained in the spring.

The way I am with tools, I think this is much safer for me. I'd have parts flying everywhere.

When you hit the spark plug socket with the hammer the collets stay inside the spark plug socket, nothing goes flying anywhere. Job usually takes about 10 minutes for all valves (8 valve head).

[oshanac]

Great write up Larry!

I've never cut a socket before-aren't they hardend? What did you use?

[tlg1100]

Thanks to this post I made one with old c-clamp.I have a lot of old cheap spark plug sockets that I used and a die grinder to cut them with.there some other way to do it but it works for me.

[bwringer]

Great write up Larry!

I've never cut a socket before-aren't they hardend? What did you use?

Larry's using the tool I made -- I used a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel to cut the windows in the sockets and deburr the edges so nothing gets scratched. Also, you can use really cheap sockets...

On 8 valve engines, I wrap the socket in duct tape to protect the lifter bores. This is not needed on the 16V engines.