what valve spring sompressor to use?
 

what is the best one to change the springs and did you use the air to hold the valves from dropping?

I have used the screw down type that GM uses and SLP sells, worked OK, and the crane tool - worked quite a bit better.

Cylinder to TDC and air to hold the valve up.

I used a leak down tester for the air - they are pretty cheap, good to have, and let you see immediately if the valve is moving when you're clamping the spring.

Get the tool that Vinci sells, does two at a time and if you go to their web site it is on special (or at least it was). It is the ultimate tool for the LS1 valve springs.

Crane tool cannot be beat. Not cheap but worth every penny.

is it best to use air or the TDC method?

+1 for Crane Cams tool

I've never used the Crane tool, but I heard it's difficult to use it on #7 and #8. Comments?

Ben T.

Air is faster. You won't have to keep rotating your engine. And you'll also know if the valve doesn't seat right; which happens on heads with higher miles, or lots of carbon build-up.

That would be innaccurate information. Its the best tool and makes it the easiest for all locations. If someone had trouble that would have been user error.

Which tool you use is a money issue. The crane dual tool is the best there is but it is expensive. It was worth my money. There are home made single versions out there and personaly I think if you spend $30-40 on it your an idiot. Its flat stock with a hole and a notch. Can be made for $12 at your local hardware store.

AS far as holding valves up you dont need to use TDC when your using air.

If you dont have air you can use TDC and nylon rope. The rope goes into the cylinder to hold the valves up from falling down.

I used air, its by far the quickest and easiest (unless the heads are off the car)

99BlancoSS, glad to know the Crane tool will work under the cowl. Nearly everyone I've talked to said it won't.

Ben T.

They have either not used it or are complete retard or are selling a different tool.

It sits on the head semi flush with all the other stuff on the head. I'm not sure how someone could say that. You have rocker bosses and it sits in between and on them. TO say you cant use it under the cowl means you havent used the tool, you are a tool or your so BIG or FAT that you cant even put your own rockers on those cylinders. Its that ridiculous of a statement. :jest:

You don't even need the rope. Just rotate to TDC and do your thing. The PTV clearance on our cars only allows the valve to drop a fraction of an inch.

Is there much of a chance that a valve could get bent from doing it the TDC way?

No, there's not, but if you're off you could possibly drop a valve.

Ben T.

I like the More Performance one sold by MTI. Hope this helps.

Uh-nope...:D
Take a valve and drop it 1/4 of an inch from the floor, that's as far as it will go. Nothing to accelerate it but gravity, and gravity isn't that powerful in this case.

Vinci has a good deal on the Crane tool, and the tool was designed specifically for the f-body two rear cylinders because you really can't see in there too well. Check Vinci's web specials, it is usually in there for $89.

And gravity has to overcome the friction of the valve seat and seal. My valves didn't move a mm when I did the swap on mine using TDC. But it only had 14000 miles :D