Tips for replacing valve keepers?

I just did a quick and dirty rebuild of a cyl. head, and now I need to get the $%&*# valve keepers back on.

Any tips? The valve spring compressor I'm using is thisone:

Do I need a different tool? Any tips?

You need another set of hands, or a C style spring compressor. You'll need two hands to insert the keepers, and that is if the valve stays put. If not, you'll need a third hand. I hope the head doesn't flop around when you're using that compressor, or you'll need still another set of hands.

Clamp the head to a bench, and maybe even put something under it, in the chamber, to hold the valve in place. One person levers, the other installs the keepers. After installing, and unclamping the head from the bench, whack each valve with a rubber mallet. If the keepers fly out (first squint), then you didn't get them seated right. If they stay in, the whacking will ensure they're seated.

A dollop of grease on the keepers will help them "stick" in place on the valve stem as you reassemble.

you could do it without all the bench clamping and flopping head if you used one of the screw-type valve spring compressors. it leaves enough room to slip the keepers in from either side unless you have really fat fingers.

I was just about to put this on eBay. Yours for $10 plus shipping if you're interested.

SkinnyG wrote: A dollop of grease on the keepers will help them "stick" in place on the valve stem as you reassemble.

Of course make sure you install them right side up...

I had a tool that you put the keepers in and slid it in around the valve stem. Worked great. Wonder if I still have it ?

You need one of these:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=78777&group_ID=1578

Makes removing and replacing valve keepers a snap, literally. I wouldn't rebuild a head without one. I watched some video's on youtube of people using this tool and it totally convinced me.

I've got the exact same tool as you, and I used to rebuild and p&p cyl heads for a living. I always just put a dab of assembly lube or moly based grease on the inside of each keeper then turn them all over. Then as I compress each spring with one hand, then take a small flat screw driver in the other hand, jab the end into grease, then stick it to the back of the keeper and stick the keeper to the valve stem. Once you get your tool set up and get the hang of it, you should be able to take one apart and put it back together in less than an hour. Oh, another handy tip, if the valve wants to go down as you compress the spring, you can take a washer and an old spark plug and thread the plug into the plug hole from the wrong side and hold the valve closed.

I use a large pair of tweezers and a dab of grease. I have also used a pencil magnet. The spring compressor you have isn't the problem.

Eldukerino wrote: You need one of these: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=78777&group_ID=1578 Makes removing and replacing valve keepers a snap, literally. I wouldn't rebuild a head without one. I watched some video's on youtube of people using this tool and it totally convinced me.

That is awesome! Do they make ones that work for all valve keepers?

I realize it is difficult, but the keepers should be evenly spaced once installed - valve/keepers on right is/are properly installed

oldeskewltoy wrote: I realize it is difficult, but the keepers should be evenly spaced once installed - valve/keepers on right is/are properly installed

Wont they naturally move into the most natural place when you start it up anyway?

Taiden wrote: Wont they naturally move into the most natural place when you start it up anyway?

with the spring holding the retainer... which holds the keepers... the only thing going to move the keepers will be heat. It can put undo stress on the tip of the valve stem

I cut a notch out of a junction piece of electrical conduit, and use a big c-clamp. Stuff was all onhand, and as rare as I do it, didn't need a special tool.