Valve Spring Woes

WanderingSpleen · November 9

Just found a broken exhaust valve spring on hole #4.. happened to see it when I started the third pass torqueing down new head bolts after a dod delete.

I would like to do anything I can to avoid removing the head again.. what would be the second best method to replace this bad boy?

Grumpy Bear · November 10

A length of cotton rope inserted via the sparkplug hole and the piston run up against it will hold the valve closed. A long stud in the rocker mount and a nut with a fork acting on the retainer will free the keeper. There may be a KD tool already fabricated for that. Or perhaps @newdude will chime in. I'm certain they don't pull heads for a broken spring at the dealer.

Silverado4x4 · November 10

Compressed air in cylinder sparkplug hole using air nozzle with rubber tip easy with 2 people 1 person keeps cylinder pressured while other changes spring. Pressure in the cylinder keeps valve up and not dropping. Just make sure both exhaust and intake valves are closed before doing it.

Edited November 10 by Silverado4x4

Sneaky pete · November 10

Compressed air,piston at top of cylinder.

newdude · November 10

13 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

A length of cotton rope inserted via the sparkplug hole and the piston run up against it will hold the valve closed. A long stud in the rocker mount and a nut with a fork acting on the retainer will free the keeper. There may be a KD tool already fabricated for that. Or perhaps @newdude will chime in. I'm certain they don't pull heads for a broken spring at the dealer.

Compressed air through the spark plug hole. GM has a special tool valve spring compressor for gen 5 heads for replacing valve springs on car, but the aftermarket makes one as well.

Amazon.com: Michigan Motorsports Valve Spring Compressor Tool for L83 L86 LT4 Gen V Gen 5 Chevy LT1 Engine 5.3 6.2 : Automotive

Edited November 10 by newdude

Grumpy Bear · November 11

. No one likes "Ole School" rope eh? :crackup: I've lifted stuck cylinders and or heads off Brit bikes with that trick and they don't go flying when they unseat. Here, this will be useful. I made mine from an old sparkplug. And a TDC tool.

https://www.moroso.com/universal-spark-plug-hole-air-hose-kit62385/

PunchT37 · November 11

My LM7 5.3 broke an exhaust spring also. I used a tool like this one with compressed air in the cylinder.

https://www.harborfreight.com/overhead-valve-spring-compressor-59343.html

WanderingSpleen · November 11

This is the exact route I decided to take. Cheap spring compressor that will hopefully work twice and a hose from my compression tester that hooks directly to the air compressor.