[badrad]

I am helping a buddy change his cam and when we went to remove the inner springs the valve locks are suck and won't pop loose. Just keeps moving the valve and releasing all the compressed air from the cylinder. We tried lightly tapping them with a hammer, no joy. It's all the exhaust valves, the engine only has about 5000 miles on it so not really much run time. Any tricks on getting them to "pop" loose? Thanks Jimmy...

 

[Mike]

I've used a 1" brass pipe.
Give a whack on the retainer and the locks 'usually' loosen.

 

[Wolfplace]

I am helping a buddy change his cam and when we went to remove the inner springs the valve locks are suck and won't pop loose. Just keeps moving the valve and releasing all the compressed air from the cylinder. We tried lightly tapping them with a hammer, no joy. It's all the exhaust valves, the engine only has about 5000 miles on it so not really much run time. Any tricks on getting them to "pop" loose? Thanks Jimmy...

=

Tap the retainer on the outside edge a couple of times, dont hit it straight on. Then try the compressor.
Put some pressure on the retainer & if it does not come loose smack it at the outside edge again while you are leaning on the compressor

 

[badrad]

My fear is if I get it loose while compressed the valve will drop into the cylinder. I'll try tapping from the side like suggested. I can't work on 'til next weekend so we'll see then.

 

[bracketchev1221]

Bring the piston to TDC in the cylinder before you try to break it loose. That way the valve will usually sit on the piston rather then fall into the cylinder. If it's close enough, the piston will stop the valve and allow you to break the locks loose.

 

[69-CHVL]

I use a regular steel hammer...the brass doesnt seem to transfer enough of a shock. Keep tapping until you hear a change in the tone...then its loose. And yes, bring the piston up to TDC...can be a real life saver.

 

[SS69Chevelle]

I think i read in an old magazine somewhere that you could thread some small cotton type rope or cord into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and then carefully bring the piston up until it presses the rope against the valves. of course you would want to leave some hanging out to remove it and I would unhook the battery to ensure of no accidental turnovers. I have never done this myself but I have used a rag on a removed head by placing it in the chamber area, laying the head down on the floor and then used the tap technique described above to break the keepers loose. just a thought and it does seem to make sense, would keep the valve from dropping. Andy

 

[badrad]

Great ideas. We had the piston at TDC to prevent this but when he pressurized the cylinder in shot to BDC. We tried less air pressure but everytime I went to compress the spring it just opened the valve releasing the air pressure. I'll be trying again next weekend.

 

[65cayne]

...Tap the retainer on the outside edge a couple of times, dont hit it straight on. ...

This is exactly the same advice I got from another source. Compressed the spring and used a magnet to remove the locks (no chance of dropping them). Works like a champ.