To all ls1tech's!!!
 

Okay guys I have the heads install on my car now and I got to send back some defective spring's. The only thing is they need the old spring's before they will send me new one's. Is there anyway to hold the valves up without having to remove the heads from the car? I will need all the springs out and something to hold all the valves up.

you can put some rope into the cylinders, thick enough to coil to hold the valve.

I just have tape on my valve stems to keep them from going anywhere.

or maybe you could try using a zip tie or something on each valve so it won't fall down?

I have done both of these! best way would be the tape... due the fact that if the piston is down thats alot of rope

compressed air is the most common, I simply roll over the engine until the piston of the cylinder im working on is at TDC

small rubber band on the valve stem

Usually the valve won't fall past the seal unless you push it. If you've taken the seals off, I would use small zip ties around the keeper grooves.

Or are you talking about holding the valves up while you take the springs off?

use compressed air to hold the valves closed, remove springs, put a paper clip on the retaining groove... it wont go anywhere and it will allow movement if you need to...

Thanks guys you gave me some good ideas I'll try it and let you know how it goes.

He's talking about holding all 16 valves up without springs at the same time. If he used air, he'd need 8 air fittings and have to supply air to all 8 cylinders for days ... LOL.

Anyway ... something around the top groove of the valve to prevent it from falling past the guide will work well IMO. Just make sure the piston is on TDC when you remove and then reinstall the new springs.

you use air on the cylinder you are working on... then secure the valves.. repeat x7

clothespins

winning!!!

As long as the seals are there and no lubricant on the valves it self, tape (masking, painters), or Zip ties.

Or remove head. I know its extreme but something you can consider if needed or worried.

You don't really need the air ... just make sure the piston is at TDC on the cylinder you're working on.

Hes working on multiple cylinders though. hes installed and found some to be defective so is sending them back to be replaced. Air wont work here.

Alot of the guys around here use zipties for prolonged periods of time

He's saying to use air on the cylinder that's being worked on. Remove valve spring. Then secure and remove air and move on to the next spring etc...