How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor?
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From: Lexington, Ky
How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? I hate to be stupid but I can put heads/cams in LS1s but I cannot for the life of me take springs off. I have the head with 918s installed on my floor. I need to remove the springs and I'm using an SLP valve spring compressor. I get the spring compressed but it doesn't compress the retainer down to release the keepers. It'll compress the lower portion of the spring so the whole assembly moves the valve up and down. I tried tapping with a hammer and it didn't release the keepers. Any ideas? this really pisses me off.
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From: Melbourne, FL
Re: How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? I've found it helps alot to tap the retainer a few times lightly with a hammer before you compress the spring. It makes the locks much easier to get off.
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From: New Orleans, Louisiana
Re: How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? I agree, take a hammer and a socket thats bigger than the keepers but will still fit on the retainer. Give it a few taps to unseat the keepers. Then use your spring compressor. Makes all the difference in the world. Also helps to put a small block of soft wood under the valves to have some resistance when you tap on it. Don't hit too hard or risk bending the valve on the wood. If you pan on doing this off the car again, buy the right tool and get the C-clamp.
Jay
<small>[ November 21, 2002, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: JAY4SPEED ]</small>
Jay
<small>[ November 21, 2002, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: JAY4SPEED ]</small>
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From: Chattanooga,Tn
Re: How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? do what your doing now with thead flat on the floor but put a rag under the combustion chamber to hold upp the valve then just tap on the compresser.It will free the retainer from the valve.
Re: How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? I totally hear you. When I changed my springs, I introduced my neighbors to several sware combos I am sure they never heard before <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> To get some of them off, I had to pressurized the cylinder to about 40 psi, put the rounded end of a cresent wrench on the retainer, and 'tap' the wrench with a hammer a time or two. NOTE Be very carefull because of the keepers. The first time I did this I had the spring compressed way too much. When the retainer broke free, the two keepers flew out. For the next 2 hours I played 'Hide and go seek' with the keepers. For the ones that are tight, compress the spring so that there is only about 1/8" from the buttom of the spring to the seat. Hope this helps <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
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From: Lexington, Ky
Re: How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? Thanks man but the head is off the car so I guess I need the c-clamp style spring compressor with the head off the car.
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From: Lexington, Ky
Re: How the #$%* do you get the springs off the head with the SLP compressor? H82BBAD, I did just what you suggested. GoFasTA suggested that to me and it worked like a champ. I can now remove valve springs <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Thank ya!
