i have seen a tool that enables you to compress the valve spring with the heads still mounted to the engine to change the springs or valve seals. any one done this. i was thinking about doing my seals but ive never been able to compress a valve spring without the keeper sticking. so i have always had to remove the head.

 

I just checked my JB catalog and they didn't show anything. Wish I could be more help.

 

On some of the cars I pulled that trick on ya had to smack it with a socket while under pressure a couple of times to break it loose.

 

Done it on some old 327 Chev's, need to hit the spring retainer as mentioned and piston needs to be a TDC when removing the spring but not when hitting the retainer to loosen it, possibly might bend the valve.

Put clean grease on the keepers to hold them in place on the valve and unscrew the tool, not to difficult.

I have the tool if you can't find one.

 

i found the tool. for the price they want i could pull the top end down, re-ring it, buy gaskets and lap the valves and install new seals cheaper, and have money left over.

 

I've always questioned the utility of just replacing the seals. While there are a few motors that just the seals go bad on, generally, when the seal is shot, it is shot because the valve guide is shot and that made the valve bounce around too much, taking out the seal. A new set of seals might work for a few hundred miles and then you'd be right back where you were.

 

Ya you don't see to many bad seals were its not related to something else, there was a time thou they didn't outlast the guides and therefore it was a handy tool to have around unless you owned ESSO stock.....

 

I did it once on my bike. When it was done I realized I could have pulled the entire engine quicker - never agian!

I even took my home-made tool and turned it into a pile of slag with my torch...