I am trying to replace my valve springs with the heads still on the motor. I rented a valve spring compressor from Auto-Zone that compresses the valve by pulling it up from the bottom. My problem is, I compress them, but they are still stuck on the valve. How do you get these darn things off. :angry:

First, you need to make sure whatever cylinder you are working on is at top dead center. This can be done by removing the sparkplug and either sticking your finger in the hole or a small pencil or pen and while rotating by "HAND" until the piston is at the top of the cylinder. I usually put some string or rubber hose into the sparkplug hole to make sure the valves do not fall into the engine!!! Then when I compress the spring a little, I give the retainer a whack with a socket or small ball peen to get the locks off the retainer. Then I remove the locks with a magnet-pen and let off the tension and remove the spring. Then install in the reverse order at the spring speced installed height. When I install the spring I usually give the retainer and valve tip a light whack or two just for good measure.
Caleb

I appreciate your reply. My springs seem like they have some cup over the retainer so that when I compress them it is harder to get them off the valve.

This is the tool I am trying to use.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2004244&AID=1157440&productId=2004244&catalogId=10101&PID=291980&langId=-1

MAKE sure you plug all the entries into the lifter valley,It would suck to have a lock fall in there!!!

Whatever else you do follow dukejoh's advice about putting something in the cylinder you are working on to prevent the valve from falling into the cylinder. Lose a valve and you'll be taking that head off.

I have used clothsline fed into the cylinder thru the spark plug hole. I would NOT put the piston at TDC. I would put the piston down in the bore a bit and feed in a bunch of line and then hand rotate the engine untill the piston compresses the clothsline against the valves. Thats the only way to insure that you won't drop a valve into the cylinder. Stuff a bunch of the line in too. Too much is better than not enough.

That tool you rusing is a PIA. Use this:

http://i10.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/0d/8c/94_1_b.JPG

If you have a compression tester, take the hose from it and hook up an air line to pressure up the cylinder so the valve don't fall in. Make sure you take the shrader valve out of the compression tester hose - that way air will go into the cylinder.

Here is the tool you want. I've used other but nothing is better:

http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/55580521.jpg

JEG'S Stud Mounted Valve Spring Compressor

It'd be great if you can rent or borrow one. A bit pricey for a one time use.

I have used clothsline fed into the cylinder thru the spark plug hole. I would NOT put the piston at TDC. I would put the piston down in the bore a bit and feed in a bunch of line and then hand rotate the engine untill the piston compresses the clothsline against the valves. Thats the only way to insure that you won't drop a valve into the cylinder. Stuff a bunch of the line in too. Too much is better than not enough.
Just make sure to only turn the engine over by hand, do not use the starter!