I just bought some PAC 1218's for my CHEVY 5.3. What is the easiest and cheapest way to change valve springs without removing the heads??

thanks gb

 

First you need a valve spring tool 10 bucks at oriellys then you need a air atachment for the spark plug 15 bucks at oriellys, its easy to do and simple just time consuming you will need new valve cover gaskets those are cheap, you dont need to remove the heads at all to put new valve springs in

 

Easiest way IMO...use compressed air and a fitting in the spark plug hole to hold the valves up and get the Crane valvespring tool that does 2 springs at a time and compresses them perfectly and evenly. The tool is a little pricey but worth every penny for how well it works.

If you don't have access to an air compressor, you can feed rope in through the spark plug hole then run the piston up and the rope will hold the valves up.

I use a magnet to remove the keepers (valve locks), then put grease on them to hold them to the valve stem as I release the pressure on the valve spring(s)

 

few differnet ways buddy,

1. they make a tool that screws into the spark plug hole and connects to a air line, and keeps the cylinder pressurized so the valves wont fall, and do one cylinder at a time.

2. make sure the piston your swapping the springs on is at TDC, and the valves wont be able to fall.

get a valve spring compressor, and i use a small 'pin magnet' to catch the keepers

 

yall beat me to it, damn i type slow

 

i have the lingenfelter tool, cost 80 bucks, but ive done 4 cam swaps with it!!! and of course compressorwith air tool

http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...Category_Code=

 

next question.

 

Here you go: http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

This is for an LS1, but the method is the same, and easier since there is more room to work on these trucks. I'll be swapping in some springs in a couple weeks, but I'm going to be taking the heads off to swap the lifters too.

 

All of these tools are easily available at many sources. SEARS, Harbor Freight, Snap On, just PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT use rope into the cylinder.

 

Why not? Guys have been doing it for years and years...just be sure to leave some hanging out so you don't lose it in the cylinder, and make sure that the rope doesn't fray easily...

It's not the preferred method, but it works if you don't have access to an air compressor...