Valve Spring Install

**98formy** · 08-13-2007, 06:04 AM

What method did you guys use to change your springs? Air fitting and pressurize the cylinders, TDC method, or with the heads off the car. Doing my cam swap soon and was curious.

**badazta** · 08-13-2007, 06:26 AM

Pressurize the heads, works pretty slick. but my motor was out of the car.

**Sunset T/A** · 08-13-2007, 10:56 AM

What psi do you set the regulator at?

**98formy** · 08-13-2007, 11:11 AM

set to around 50 psi

**vettenuts** · 08-13-2007, 11:26 AM

TDC here. I used the compressor a few years back on my daughter's Nissan, stepped out for a minute, compressor lost pressure and I came back to a little hole where the valve used to be

Ended up pulling the head.

**98formy** · 08-13-2007, 11:37 AM

When you did the TDC, did the valves drop far and did you have any probs doing it that way

**Eddie 70** · 08-13-2007, 05:45 PM

Another thing I have thought about. When changing springs, is it necessary to change the valve stem seals? Going from stock style springs to double springs?

**98formy** · 08-14-2007, 09:19 AM

Can anyone else chime in about if they did their springs the TDC way. JUst curious if there were any problems.

**vettenuts** · 08-14-2007, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by 98formy

When you did the TDC, did the valves drop far and did you have any probs doing it that way

The valves will drop about 1/4" or less. No problem. Only two issues I can think of, one is making sure piston is at top (I was fortunate enough to have a boroscope to confirm), second is don't whack the valve stem to loosen a stuck lock or you could damage the valve. Other than that, works great.

One other method I have used many times, get a length of 1/4" nylon braided soft rope. Feed through spark plug hole into piston, rotate crank until it stops, rope is up against valves and will hold them in place for the change. Once done, rotate crank back, pull rope and do next cylinder. Very old school method, but it works well and no risk of dropping a valve.

**Eddie 70** · 08-14-2007, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by vettenuts

The valves will drop about 1/4" or less. No problem. Only two issues I can think of, one is making sure piston is at top (I was fortunate enough to have a boroscope to confirm), second is don't whack the valve stem to loosen a stuck lock or you could damage the valve. Other than that, works great.

One other method I have used many times, get a length of 1/4" nylon braided soft rope. Feed through spark plug hole into piston, rotate crank until it stops, rope is up against valves and will hold them in place for the change. Once done, rotate crank back, pull rope and do next cylinder. Very old school method, but it works well and no risk of dropping a valve.

I forgot about this method but have heard it works good. Never used it myself. One thing I would think you need to also do using this method is to also make sure you have the cylinder on the compression stroke.

**vettenuts** · 08-14-2007, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Eddie 70

One thing I would think you need to also do using this method is to also make sure you have the cylinder on the compression stroke.

If you pull all the rockers first, it shouldn't matter.

**Eddie 70** · 08-14-2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by vettenuts

If you pull all the rockers first, it shouldn't matter.

I have no idea where I checked out too when I was typing that.

**gillbot** · 08-24-2007, 11:57 AM

i prefer the TDC method.

**310stanger** · 08-24-2007, 03:55 PM

i filled the cyls with air when i did my double springs on my 5.0, and as long as you put the fitting in correctly and have an air compressor that holds plenty of air it works great. in fact i think i left the fitting in one of the cyls over night and it was fine. never came close to dropping a valve.

**310stanger** · 08-24-2007, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Eddie 70

Another thing I have thought about. When changing springs, is it necessary to change the valve stem seals? Going from stock style springs to double springs?

definitely change your valve seals while you have it apart. it sure would suck to be kicking yourself if you have leaking valve seals and all you had to do was change them out while you did the springs.

**310stanger** · 08-24-2007, 03:58 PM

one major important tip about the air method is make sure you have at least 90psi going into the cyl. the more the better. i'd be really nervous about doing that job with only 50psi holding the valves closed.

**jrgswhitels1** · 08-24-2007, 05:16 PM

Heck dude, I just did the rope method and purchased the new Crane valve spring compressor and finished the job in roughly 3 hours!! Easy, quick and fast!!!