I want to change the 16 valve stem seals on my honda with the head still on the car. I think most of the rental compressors are for use with the head on a bench. Anyone ever done something like this and come up with a clever way to lever the springs down?
my old roommate and i used the rope trick to keep the valves from dropping, and one of the overhead compressors that you hook to the springs and turn the screw to compress the spring.
we turned the crank until the piston in the cylinder of interest was about halfway between bottom and tdc, shove a bunch of rope in, and turn the crank till it stopped to hold the valves. after we compressed the springs, the keepers still didn't want to come loose and let the retainer off of the stem, so we had to persuade them with a rubber hammer. a couple good whacks on top of the compressor should get them loose. word to the wise though, stuff your oil returns with shop towels or the like, because the keepers can go flying and thats the last place you want one to end up.
edit: this was on a 225k mile car that would burn about a quart a month which after valve stem replacement now has nearly 250k on it and doesn't burn a drop of oil. btw its a 91 mazda 626 touring
thanks Strizzo! I was going to try using an air compressor + TDC to hold my valves up, but the rope trick sounds like a more sure fire way to do it.
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