Ok, I know this has probably been discussed ad nauseum, and I've done the searches and not really come up with a good answer. I have a 352 engine and want to change the valve stem seals. The engine runs great and doesnt use oil, but as near as I can tell the engine has never been gone into, and I am sure the seals must be like rock. Before they break apart and fall into the engine, Id like to change them.
What tool is available for purchase that would allow me to change the seals with the head on the engine, and not have to remove or disturb the valve rockers? Simply want to depress the spring, remove the seals, replace the seals, and depress the spring to put new keepers back on. Im pretty good at fabricating so if anyone has a pic of one they have made, Id love to see it. Please steer me in the right direction here.

 

No answer yet?

It takes one of those "of course, why didn't that occur to me" tools.

The 'tool' screws into the spark plug hole and uses air pressure delivered from an air compressor. Holds valves in place like magic so you can remove valve springs and the valves don't fall into the cylinders!

 

Im not really concerned with holding the valve up. I plan to use the rope in the cylinder method to achieve that. Its the tool to depress the valve spring I need.

 

OK, then, they make a valve spring compressor tool.

You can likely rent or just purchase. Kinda looks like a big elongated "U"

 

Found the right tool at NAPA.($25.00) Made the job really easy. Used the rope in the cylinder method, and worked great. 3 hours I was done. Glad I did it as the old seals were quite hard. It was only a matter of time.
Now debating the Fel Pro heat shield and exhaust gasket combo, and or heat shield and double the exhaust gaskets. Anyone here with any experience using the double gasket method, and if so how did you face the gaskets in relation to each other? The head vs Manifold. Metal side to which? Composite side to which?

 

Metal to metal. The heat shield is the gasket.