Tims Tool issues
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
Tims Tool issues Im doing the first of the valvesprings and am using Tims Tool, and im having a hard time getting the locks back. Anybody use this tool before and have any advice to make this go smoother?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
Im doing it the "piston at top dead center" method and I have a magnet pen part retriever to balance the valve and its such a PAIN IN THE *** to balance the ******* locks on the stem and then loosen the tool. Took me 3 hours to do 2 springs.
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If you are having issues with the valve dropping you can pull the spark plug. Then move the piston to TDC. Insert a length of tubing into the spark plug hole so that it coils up within the cylinder. Make sure you have enough of a tail sticking out of the hole so that you can pull it back out.
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Nylon rope is what I've always used. Move piston below TDC, stuff as much rope as you can in the cylinder and then move piston back up until it stops. If locks are still stubborn use a rubber mallet and a magnet and tap on the side of the retainer.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
I can get the locks off just fine, its balancing the locks on the valve stem as Im trying to release the tool, one of them always either falls down or moves up and doesnt grab. The grease idea sounds like it will solve my problem, and if Im still having problems Ill just shove something in the cylinder.
grease will work fine.......i just use an air ratchet to loosen the tool as i hold the locks by hand........works awesome i can do a full set of springs in a little over an hour
If you slowly release the tool and get the locks to slide in and lock you wont need a magnet. I've done this by hand a couple times and it sounds like you are making it way harder then it really is man.
I used the tims tool and some of them were a major bitch. Alot of it was that the tool would change angle when compressed and not as im sure you and everyone else who has used it has figured out. I probably did it the wrong way but I used a box end wrench and kind of pryed between the spring and rocker stud to get it where it needed to be so it was centered around the valve and the the hole in the tims tool thing to make it easier to drop the locks in. I did find that if I put one lock in and then kind of moved it around the valve stem so I had a clear shot at the other lock it worked better.
I pulled the locks out with the magnet, Then I just dropped them back in by hand. I do remember a few times when loosing the tool that one wouldnt lock in. So its not just you haha.
Are you laying a socket underneath the other end of the tool? depending on your springs I found it was easier to use 2 different width sockets, one was better for removing the spring and one was better to put the new springs in which were longer. It helped to keep things centered up.
I pulled the locks out with the magnet, Then I just dropped them back in by hand. I do remember a few times when loosing the tool that one wouldnt lock in. So its not just you haha.
Are you laying a socket underneath the other end of the tool? depending on your springs I found it was easier to use 2 different width sockets, one was better for removing the spring and one was better to put the new springs in which were longer. It helped to keep things centered up.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 49
From: Hampstead, NC
Didnt figure out the socket thing till the second spring, but now with the socket and the grease it's not nearly as hard. Got 8 done last night because I lost 2 hours replacing the stupid Badger 5 garbage disposal.
