Author Topic: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution  (Read 2123 times)

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Offline JBCB500

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Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« on: January 16, 2017, 07:03:15 AM »
Thought I might take the chance to give back, after receiving tons of great advice on this forum already.

I'm opening myself up to embarrassment as this may have been covered already, and I'm sure there are better solutions out there.

I was having a nightmare removing valve springs the other night, attempting to use a large engine-style spring compressor.  Due to the tight fit on my CB500, this proved very difficult and it took me literally hours to do this.

Reinstalling was even worse so I turned to the web and found a lot of proposed solutions, ranging from using your bare hands, to channel-locks, to specialist tools, and finally a C-clamp along with an 02 sensor socket (the type in the pic below with a slice removed from the side).

The C-clamp was a bit awkward to work with solo, and the 02 sensor didn't allow for much access.

Eventually I bought a slide clamp (see pic) from Home Depot for about $14, and simply cut a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe I had laying around, in the same style as the 02 socket, but with a much larger opening.  The slide clamp had rubber contacts, so there wasn't the slipping I struggled with in the C-clamp, and I could compress it very easily.  The PVC allowed plenty of space to insert and manipulate the valve stem 'keepers' with tweezers and a screwdriver.  Finally, I discovered the best way to get both 'keepers' to fall into place was to compress the spring quite far and jiggle the slide clamp all around until they sat down.  Then just release and 'click', all done!

All told it took less than an hour to put all eight back in - not quick vs jobs I've done on big V8s but I was happy considering the circumstances!


Offline strynboen

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2017, 07:53:56 AM »
i use my drill press..have veldet a old key on a shaft..and use it as a press Tool..it give mors Space to vork the small damed half moons lockers inn
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
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Offline JBCB500

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2017, 08:06:00 AM »
That's a great solution - I need to invest in a drill press!  Still on these 500s that adjustable spanner looks as if it'd be too tight.  They really are a pain to get into.

You got that cylinder head CLEAN by the way!

Offline strynboen

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2017, 08:12:01 AM »
glass blast..use the finest..old used glass..have done it on all my cylender and heads..and polished the valve cover.painted the bottom ends..it holds up for years
« Last Edit: January 16, 2017, 08:14:41 AM by strynboen »
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
i hate all this v-w.... vords

Offline flatlander

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2017, 08:53:55 AM »
JBCB, i guess that clamp works only with the head off, or can you use it with it on the engine?


Offline 70CB750

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2017, 10:20:34 AM »
Well, you got her done - that counts :)

Offline JBCB500

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2017, 10:23:54 AM »
Flatlander,

I did it with the head off, but they do make much longer versions of that clamp.  You might be able to make it work with the head on but I'm not sure.

Offline flatlander

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2017, 11:56:19 AM »
i don't know if it would work, i think it would have to be a monster clamp.
with the head on, i use a funny contraption that you thread into one of the bolt holes. but it's a bit fiddly so i thought maybe you had found something that's easier.


Offline Davez134

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2017, 12:20:46 PM »
I now use a Lisle valve spring remover/installer tool. So easy I can't believe it. I made a post/video about it here:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,162212.msg1865567.html#msg1865567

Offline JBCB500

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2017, 12:58:44 PM »
Dave,

That thing is amazing!  One I'll consider next time. 

Offline flatlander

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2017, 01:24:02 PM »
dammit dave, that's cheating!

Offline martin99

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2017, 02:17:28 PM »
That's brilliant! Now I've got to find one... ;D
Build threads:
77 750F2 Refresh Project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144075.0
TRIBSA http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160296.0.html

1977 CB750 F2
1958 Norton Model 99
2011 Triumph Street Triple 675

Offline Davez134

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2017, 02:52:15 PM »
Haha I know right! Someone told me about that tool earlier in my thread. I figured it would be too good to be true. Couldnt believe when I tried it.

Offline strynboen

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2017, 03:29:22 AM »
yes the funny thing is that after have seen it...ve just cant understand ve dont got the idea aurself..its just push the spring Down..and sleigtly press the Locks dovn at same time..and let the steer shaft glide back at the same time..is it magenetic to hold the Locks??
dont think you can use kompressed air in the cylender to hold the valve steam up..you need that small roap to block the valve from move dovn..the only Down side of this system
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
i hate all this v-w.... vords

Offline Davez134

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Re: Valve Spring Removal/Installation - Solution
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2017, 10:15:24 AM »
Yes, I used a rope in the cylinder to hold the valve closed.