The Ford Barn

jhowes · 12-18-2018, 05:07 PM

I am trying to put the valve springs back in my motor. How is it done? Mine are the original type and I inserted the two piece guide and pushed it up into the block as far as I could. The I tried to put the spring on the valve stem and let it push on the valve guide but I have not been able to get the spring on. The lifter is at the bottom of its' cycle to give as much room as possible, but it is still a "no go" . I am wondering if I can put the spring in a vise and compress it then tie it in it's compressed position with some safety wire. Once installed I could cut the wire off and let the spring find its' sweet spot. How do others do it? It's frustrating because I did this 65 years ago with the crude tools I had available then. Now I have every hand tool known to man and I can't do a simple job. Thanks, Jack

AL in NY · 12-18-2018, 07:45 PM

You need a valve spring compressor. It's a hand held tool you use to compress the valve spring before you put on the retainer. Search this site to find a photo of one.

jhowes · 12-18-2018, 10:18 PM

Al; I have three of them in different configurations/
.

jhowes · 12-18-2018, 10:22 PM

I did a 1930 Willys flat head 6 last spring with no problems, this is not going well. Jack

Nosetime · 12-19-2018, 08:44 AM

recommend the pry bar style that pivots off exhaust stud. Brattons and others
. I tried 2 vintage style, the modern pry works like a champ

l. bacon · 12-19-2018, 11:53 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm thinking that something isn't quite right, as it should be an easy process. Make sure the guides are installed long end up. The short end is towards the cam. If you have the adjuster style cam followers, screw the adjusters in as far as they will go. Now the springs should go in there place easily with maybe a little pry from a screw driver. Now install the valves in there guides. Next will require a spring compressor as stated above and install the keeper on each valve. Make sure the cam lobe is down so that there is room for the compressor to do it's job. Hope this helps.

Jim Brierley · 12-19-2018, 12:55 PM

Make sure the guide is fully seated up against the block. It is a little difficult but no tools should be necessary until time to install the spring retainer.

12-18-2018, 05:07 PM	#1
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Valve Spring I am trying to put the valve springs back in my motor. How is it done? Mine are the original type and I inserted the two piece guide and pushed it up into the block as far as I could. The I tried to put the spring on the valve stem and let it push on the valve guide but I have not been able to get the spring on. The lifter is at the bottom of its' cycle to give as much room as possible, but it is still a "no go" . I am wondering if I can put the spring in a vise and compress it then tie it in it's compressed position with some safety wire. Once installed I could cut the wire off and let the spring find its' sweet spot. How do others do it? It's frustrating because I did this 65 years ago with the crude tools I had available then. Now I have every hand tool known to man and I can't do a simple job. Thanks, Jack

12-18-2018, 07:45 PM	#2
AL in NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Upstate New York Posts: 1,160	Re: Valve Spring You need a valve spring compressor. It's a hand held tool you use to compress the valve spring before you put on the retainer. Search this site to find a photo of one. __________________ AL in NY

12-18-2018, 10:18 PM	#3
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: Valve Spring Al; I have three of them in different configurations/ . Last edited by jhowes; 12-18-2018 at 10:20 PM. Reason: mis-spelling

12-18-2018, 10:22 PM	#4
jhowes Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: upstate NY near Mass border Posts: 789	Re: Valve Spring I did a 1930 Willys flat head 6 last spring with no problems, this is not going well. Jack

12-19-2018, 08:44 AM	#5
Nosetime Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Huntington Beach, Calif Posts: 330	Re: Valve Spring recommend the pry bar style that pivots off exhaust stud. Brattons and others . I tried 2 vintage style, the modern pry works like a champ

12-19-2018, 11:53 AM	#6
l. bacon Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: North east Oregon Posts: 12	Re: Valve Spring Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm thinking that something isn't quite right, as it should be an easy process. Make sure the guides are installed long end up. The short end is towards the cam. If you have the adjuster style cam followers, screw the adjusters in as far as they will go. Now the springs should go in there place easily with maybe a little pry from a screw driver. Now install the valves in there guides. Next will require a spring compressor as stated above and install the keeper on each valve. Make sure the cam lobe is down so that there is room for the compressor to do it's job. Hope this helps.

12-19-2018, 12:55 PM	#7
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,085	Re: Valve Spring Make sure the guide is fully seated up against the block. It is a little difficult but no tools should be necessary until time to install the spring retainer.