Whats the best way to change valve springs without dropping a valve down the cylinder? I've changed a few before by just getting the piston up on top but I'm always afraid of the valve dropping down too far to be able to get a hold on it.
Any help much appreciated.
Ron

One way is to hook up an air compressor to the spark plug hole to force the valves to stay up. Sometimes it just so happens, the threads on the hose are the same as a spark plug. The other is to thread rope through the spark plug hole to give some extra height to the piston. Just leave enough rope hanging out to pull it out.

speaker wire works also. Doesn't hang up on the spark plug threads

I just changed mine out today with the air compressor. It worked like a charm. I used the hose off of my compression tester.
Cheers
Bear

A long time ago I broke a sparkplug apart and tig welded a copper pipe to the plug base and that tool has worked great for years you can put full pressure on it without worry just go slow untill the engine turns the piston to the Bottom of the stroke. You can't hit the valve with a rubber mallet and make it come out!

I have heard of people sticking something like twine or whatever into the spark plug hole, until the cylinder is filled enough to not allow the valves to drop.

I have done the rope method several times, works like a charm.. :thumbsup: