Valve spring removal

[Larry D]

I removed some of my valve springs tonight. I thought I'd share some pics.

First I'd like to introduce the main tool. It's a wonderful piece of engineering from the depths of bwringer's garage. A large c-clamp with a cut-out socket bolted to one end. I put the boot there for scale.

Next is our patient. One of 16 valve springs from an '81 GS750. The one next to our patient has already been removed.

Next, open up the clamp and postion it over the valve.

 

[Larry D]

Then take the socket and place it over the spring. Take care to position the opening so a small pair of needle nose pliers will fit in easily. Tighten the c-clamp to loosen these aggravating little keepers.

Reach in with the pliers and take out the keepers. It's sorta like the the childhood game "Operation".

Loosen the c-clamp and let the valve fall out. Then remove the springs...yep, there's two of them.

Here's what we're replacing, valve stem seals. Grab it with the pliers and gently twist and pull.

 

[Larry D]

The final piece is some kind of retainer thingamabob. I found it easiest to grab it with the pliers, it comes right out.

Finally after a successful operation, it's important to stay organized. This is my method.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

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...

 

[twr1776]

Where is the big F-ing hammer.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. Larry D,

That's some good shade tree engineering. It makes the job much easier when you have/make the right tools.

Mr. Steve also has a procedure. He even made a little video to share with us:

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c96/Tiggrbike/GS%20stuff/?action=view&current=ValveSpringCompressor.flv


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Larry D]

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.

 

[ramrod400]

thats wonderful

 

[Larry D]

Steve is a movie star !! Very well done, Sir.

Thanks for the link Cliff, I'd never viewed that before.

 

[Steve]

Thanks, but the "movie star" can still learn.

I have only done one 16-valve head, but I like that idea of a cut-out socket. Much stronger than the electrical conduit I used for the smaller valves. The PVC works well for the 8-valve heads, though.

Also nice to see that someone else is using cardboard sheets and disposable muffin tins for organizing small parts. I line up five of them in front of me when I am doing a set of carbs. The first one gets all the mounting rail screws and other hardware that doesn't matter which carb it goes to, like the enrichener activators. The other four tins get the parts from a single carb each. This picture only shows four tins in use, but you get the idea. :-\\\

.

 

[Guest]

Great "how-to" pics Larry, well done...

 

[doctorgonzo]

I used the same method with PVC instead of a socket on my 8v 1000. Works like a charm. My biggest problem was getting some VERY old valve seals off my salvage head. I wound up having to partially burn them off with a torch.

 

[bwringer]

One detail I forgot to mention is that for an 8 valve engine, I used a larger 13/16" spark plug socket with the same type of window cut in it. The smaller socket shown gets attached for 16 valve engines

 

[sscott]

How can one save these pics?? Those are great!! Never know when a rookie mechanic will have to do those things

 

[doctorgonzo]

How can one save these pics?? Those are great!! Never know when a rookie mechanic will have to do those things

Should be able to right click and "Save As" to your PC. Can also bookmark the thread, but first is forever.

 

[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.