In Car Valve Spring Removal

[Charlie Brown]

I have the 1962 413 engine out of a car for for a re-seal and freeze plug change. I want to replace the valve seals without pulling the head. I have a universal spring compressor tool but it really doesn't work that well. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[toolmanmike]

I have the 1962 413 engine out of a car for for a re-seal and freeze plug change. I want to replace the valve seals without pulling the head. I have a universal spring compressor tool but it really doesn't work that well. Any tips would be appreciated.

Which one do you have?

 

[PRHeads]

It’s probably been 40 years since I did that job in the car.

I don’t think my back could take it anymore.

I used the type of compressor with the hooks that grabbed the bottom of the spring and squeezed it against the retainer.

There are better/easier tools to use than that.

 

[Don Frelier]

What are some reasons for not disassembling the heads?
Were they off recently?
Taking them off would allow you to lap the valves, change the springs more easily and check for warping.
You would be very upset if one starts leaking on a year or two.

 

[pnora]

This style will work pretty good. I have several styles and have old small block and big block rocker shafts that I use.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3973644519...MUmKQPggQh3YF8zkgUVTNzPkQ=|tkp:Bk9SR-SBuZ78Zg

 

[pnora]

It’s probably been 40 years since I did that job in the car.

I don’t think my back could take it anymore.

I used the type of compressor with the hooks that grabbed the bottom of the spring and squeezed it against the retainer.

There are better/easier tools to use than that.

I have one and its the last one I will use. They are hard on the palms.

 

[gtx6970]

It’s probably been 40 years since I did that job in the car.

I don’t think my back could take it anymore.

I used the type of compressor with the hooks that grabbed the bottom of the spring and squeezed it against the retainer.

There are better/easier tools to use than that.

I used that same style spring remover on my st hemi last year

Not the fastest method. But it worked well

 

[toolmanmike]

This one works pretty well. Set it once for all the springs.

 

[dadsbee]

 

[PRHeads]

I use this style on the dyno when it’s time to reinstall the inner springs after cam break in.

 

[dadsbee]

Your Subject says IN car.... your post says engine is OUT !

 

[lewtot184]

I used that same style spring remover on my st hemi last year

Not the fastest method. But it worked well

View attachment 1981342

I use these and the shaft mounted tool mancini used to sell.

 

[Fran B]

I used that same style spring remover on my st hemi last year

Not the fastest method. But it worked well

View attachment 1981342

weld a 3/4" or larger nut to star end so can use a socket.Size of nut is really up to you.

 

[Charlie Brown]

What are some reasons for not disassembling the heads?
Were they off recently?
Taking them off would allow you to lap the valves, change the springs more easily and check for warping.
You would be very upset if one starts leaking on a year or two.

The engine ran fine when removed and I don't want to mess with it. I know if I take the heads off I'll end up going down the rabbit hole. The valve seals are probably the original ones but has only 40k on the engine. Some of the seals have
disintegrated.

 

[Kern Dog]

weld a 3/4" or larger nut to star end so can use a socket.Size of nut is really up to you.

Holy crap, that is an excellent idea.
My spring compressors are similar to what have been shown...

I've used the one above before, it is slow going. I still have good hand strength but for those dealing with arthritis or weakness, it absolutely makes sense to put a 1/2" drive receptacle in there. I modified this a few months back...

I have yet to test it.

I have a roller cam swap planned for the next few weeks so I'll report on how it worked for me. I've used the soft string in the cylinder method too. Rick Ehrenberg from Mopar Action wrote about that. I used the method in 2022....

 

[Charlie Brown]

I used that same style spring remover on my st hemi last year

Not the fastest method. But it worked well

View attachment 1981342

Yep, that's the one I have - for some reason it doesn't grip and compress the spring enough to get the stem locks out.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Your Subject says IN car.... your post says engine is OUT !

Yes you're correct. Same difference though - I don't want to remove the heads.

 

[LB0442]

Did these on a poly a while ago. Seals were rock hard.

 

[beanhead]

For spring removal in the car, I use the claw-style as has already been posted but I welded a socket to the top so I can turn it with a 1/2" ratchet or better yet the drill motor in low gear...some springs are stiffer than others and cranking that thing down 16 times can get the old paws aching too much these days

 

[Don Frelier]

The engine ran fine when removed and I don't want to mess with it. I know if I take the heads off I'll end up going down the rabbit hole. The valve seals are probably the original ones but has only 40k on the engine. Some of the seals have
disintegrated.

You haven't really given a good explanation "going down the rabbit hole" means?
Like I said you go to the trouble of pulling engine if you get a head gasket leak in the near future you will be kicking yourself.
My 383 ran fine when I pulled it.
The heads looked pretty bad inside and a couple ports were skimmed right over with a rust scale.
The heads were warped, yes this could be the rabbit hole but it's so much easier to do with the engine on a stand.
Head removal takes about 15 minutes if you take your time.
I suggest do it once and get everything.