Removing Valve Springs

[sengk]

Is there an easy way of compressing and removing valve springs instead of buying the service tool from Toyota?

What type of valve spring compressor are you guys using and how much did it cost?

Thinking about stripping the heads on my 3vzfe to clean, port, and polish before doing the v6 swap to my MR2 in spring.

Thanks,
Seng

[Gairloch]

It is a major PITA. You'll wish you had taken it to a machine shop.

I've used this one and while it was enough of a pain that it took 2 of us to do the job we did get it done. Make sure you have something handy like a magnet wand to fish out the keepers. Guaranteed to drop into your head at least once


Has anyone ever used a spring compressor like this? Seems like there would be clearance issues.

[AndrewMcG]

Or you can get the one at www.toyotool.com and do it while the head is on the motor.

[PHOENIX]

one of my mechanics at my work was telling me how they all use spark plug sockets to take the valves out. I guess the magnet inside snags up the keepers or something, and the socket is perfectly made for something like this.

I can't say i've tested this, but it sounds like a cheap way of getting the valves out.

[Gairloch]

Hmm .. I might have to try to find a spark plug socket that is magnetic if I end up doing this again. Mine have rubber sleeves in 'em.

[Ben]

There Is No Need For A SST. I Did This Myself. All You Need To A 13mm Socket. Center It Over The Valve Spring And Hit It With A Hammer. This Will Cause The Keepers To Pop Out. Super Easy.

[sengk]

Has anyone ever used a spring compressor like this? Seems like there would be clearance issues.

I have something like that and there is a clearance issue.

[sengk]

There Is No Need For A SST. I Did This Myself. All You Need To A 13mm Socket. Center It Over The Valve Spring And Hit It With A Hammer. This Will Cause The Keepers To Pop Out. Super Easy.

So with the valve spring and everything assembled on the head just put a 13mm socket over it and hit it with a hammer? That sounds almost too easy. I'll have to try it on my spare head. How would you compress the spring to reassemble it?

Thanks for all of your comments guys.

[sengk]

btw my heads are already off the block.

[Gairloch]

So with the valve spring and everything assembled on the head just put a 13mm socket over it and hit it with a hammer? That sounds almost too easy. I'll have to try it on my spare head. How would you compress the spring to reassemble it?

Thanks for all of your comments guys.

You don't, that's where that falls down.

Not only that but it would suck if you had a keeper go flying somewhere.

[Ben]

So with the valve spring and everything assembled on the head just put a 13mm socket over it and hit it with a hammer? That sounds almost too easy. I'll have to try it on my spare head. How would you compress the spring to reassemble it?

That's It. Just A Socket And Hammer Since The Heads Are Off The Block. The Socket Also Keeps The Keepers From Going Anywhere. After You Hit It, The Keepers USUALLY Stay Inside The Socket.

To Reinstall The Keepers, You Need A Special Tool That Looks Like A Car Cell Phone Charger - The Part That Goes Into The Cigarette Lighter.

[Gairloch]

Ben, could you link us a pic for that tool?

When I did it we put a dab of oil on the keeper then used a screwdriver and a magnet wand to put them back on the valve.

[sengk]

There Is No Need For A SST. I Did This Myself. All You Need To A 13mm Socket. Center It Over The Valve Spring And Hit It With A Hammer. This Will Cause The Keepers To Pop Out. Super Easy.

I tried it and it actually is that easy. lolz

I managed to finish porting one intake port and 3/4 of another. It's looking good so far. I think i will try porting the exhaust side next and then the combustion chamber. If it comes out looking good then i will do it on the actual engine that i am going to use.

Thanks for the suggestion and please do post a pic of what tool you used to put the valves back in.

[Ben]

^ Glad I Was Able To Help. I'll Try And Find A Pic Of The Tool......

[Ben]

The Black Tool On The Right Is Used To Reinstall The Keepers.



This Is A Different One Than The One I Actually Used, But All The Same Principle.

Place The Keepers In The Valve, Lower The Collar On The Top To Center Everything, The USE YOUR BODY WEIGHT To Push The Rod = Keepers Go Back In. DO NOT HIT THIS WITH A HAMMER!!!!!!!

Like I Mentioned Above, Place A Bunch Of Rags Under The Valve Face So The Valve Doesn't Move.

[MrGrimm]

i use an air spring compressor to build heads all day long at work. not toyota, but john deere, so im sure its alot different. but we use the same method to take keepers out in disassembly (socket)

[sengk]

Thanks, but I can't even imagine how that would work. Or I should say i can't imagine what the proper way of using that is.

[Ben]

It's Almost As Easy As Taking The Keepers Out. It Just Sounds A Little Confusing.

[Weasy2k]

There Is No Need For A SST. I Did This Myself. All You Need To A 13mm Socket. Center It Over The Valve Spring And Hit It With A Hammer. This Will Cause The Keepers To Pop Out. Super Easy.

Ditto! Removing is EASY...installing without a easy tool such as the toyotool is a PAIN!

[sengk]

The Black Tool On The Right Is Used To Reinstall The Keepers.



This Is A Different One Than The One I Actually Used, But All The Same Principle.

Place The Keepers In The Valve, Lower The Collar On The Top To Center Everything, The USE YOUR BODY WEIGHT To Push The Rod = Keepers Go Back In. DO NOT HIT THIS WITH A HAMMER!!!!!!!

Like I Mentioned Above, Place A Bunch Of Rags Under The Valve Face So The Valve Doesn't Move.

I wasn't able to find the one pictured above locally but i was able to find this one from sears:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

it works ok once you find a small piece of tubing about 3/4 diameter 1.5 inches long to use with the jaw. You have to work through the tubing to install and remove the keepers.