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Valve Spring Install Question

Old Apr 2, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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Question Valve Spring Install Question

I will be installing new valve springs shortly. There are 2 ways to keep the valves from dropping.

1) Hand crank the engine until the cyclinder is at TDC.

2) Apply air pressure through the GP hole.

If I decide to use air pressure how much PSI is needed to keep the valves from dropping?
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 11:29 PM
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I doesn't take all that much if the valves have a good "seat". I have always used shop air. ~ 100+ psi.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by mueckster
I doesn't take all that much if the valves have a good "seat". I have always used shop air. ~ 100+ psi.
Thanks Roland.

I will probaly try both ways to see which is faster.

I gutted an old GP and will try tapping it for a fitting.

Also if I try the cylinder at TDC method and go by firing order I will only have to turn the crank 45 degrees to get the next cylinder to TDC.

Is there a mark on the damper pulley that I can line up with the CPS for TDC on #1?
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 06:19 AM
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Originally Posted by PaysonPSD
Thanks Roland.

I will probaly try both ways to see which is faster.

I gutted an old GP and will try tapping it for a fitting.

Also if I try the cylinder at TDC method and go by firing order I will only have to turn the crank 45 degrees to get the next cylinder to TDC.

Is there a mark on the damper pulley that I can line up with the CPS for TDC on #1?
I have always just rolled the engine to top dead center as I knew a guy that was using air pressure and still droped a valve due to engine rolled after he had pressure on that cly and had took keepers off that valve.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 06:45 AM
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Originally Posted by mueckster
I doesn't take all that much if the valves have a good "seat". I have always used shop air. ~ 100+ psi.
Same here, it's a very good method.

Originally Posted by PaysonPSD
Thanks Roland.

I will probaly try both ways to see which is faster.

I gutted an old GP and will try tapping it for a fitting.

Also if I try the cylinder at TDC method and go by firing order I will only have to turn the crank 45 degrees to get the next cylinder to TDC.

Is there a mark on the damper pulley that I can line up with the CPS for TDC on #1?
If you already have a fitting for that glow plug hole, then using shop air is very easy.
Also you don't have to worry about whether the engine is at top dead center because as soon as you apply air pressure to that cylinder, that piston goes straight to bottom dead center. Rather quickly I might add.
Also, you will find that the retainers sometimes stick to the keepers and when you compress the spring, it just opens the valve.
Take a soft hammer (plastic or brass) and rap the shoulder of the retainer to dislodge the "set" between the retainer and the keepers, then compress the spring.
The 150 psi will hold the valve up just fine. Just don't unplug that air hose until you have it all back together or the valve will drop into the cylinder!
I have a brand new set of rocker arms and push rods if you are interested, send me a PM.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by ltl_jrw
I knew a guy that was using air pressure and still droped a valve.
I don't want this to happen.

Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Same here, it's a very good method.


If you already have a fitting for that glow plug hole, then using shop air is very easy.
Also you don't have to worry about whether the engine is at top dead center because as soon as you apply air pressure to that cylinder, that piston goes straight to bottom dead center. Rather quickly I might add.
Also, you will find that the retainers sometimes stick to the keepers and when you compress the spring, it just opens the valve.
Take a soft hammer (plastic or brass) and rap the shoulder of the retainer to dislodge the "set" between the retainer and the keepers, then compress the spring.
The 150 psi will hold the valve up just fine. Just don't unplug that air hose until you have it all back together or the valve will drop into the cylinder!
I have a brand new set of rocker arms and push rods if you are interested, send me a PM.
Thanks for the advice and offer Dan. PM on the way.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 03:40 PM
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Timing mark on the damper pulley highlighted with chalk (reflection in mirror)
and aligned with the timing indicator on the CPS. Is #1 cylinder now at TDC?

 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 03:44 PM
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looks close..to be sure..stick a coat hanger down the GP hole hitting the top of the piston.. then role the motor back and forth till the hanger reaches the top and doesnt role back down..
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ron's power stroke
looks close..to be sure..stick a coat hanger down the GP hole hitting the top of the piston.. then role the motor back and forth till the hanger reaches the top and doesnt role back down..
Thanks Ron.

I thought this would indicate #1 TDC, but wasn't sure. Haven't started work on this project yet. I'm going to use a plastic drinking straw as an indicator. Hopefully when I get to this point I'll have a spotter.

I don't think it will roll with the serpetine belt in place.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by PaysonPSD
Thanks Ron.

I thought this would indicate #1 TDC, but wasn't sure. Haven't started work on this project yet. I'm going to use a plastic drinking straw as an indicator. Hopefully when I get to this point I'll have a spotter.

I don't think it will roll with the serpetine belt in place.
If you pressureize a cylinder with the rockers removed and the crankshaft is 1/2 degree off of TDC, it WILL roll.
Really nothing to worry about. Let it roll and let the air hold the valves up.
I've done it that way on VW engines, replacing valve stem seals for 20+ years now.
Pressureize through the spark plug hole and the engine jumps pretty good as the 150 psi rams the piston down.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 04:34 PM
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lol whats a spark plug ????
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
If you pressureize a cylinder with the rockers removed and the crankshaft is 1/2 degree off of TDC, it WILL roll.
Really nothing to worry about. Let it roll and let the air hold the valves up.
I've done it that way on VW engines, replacing valve stem seals for 20+ years now.
Pressureize through the spark plug hole and the engine jumps pretty good as the 150 psi rams the piston down.
I'm just going to get the cylinder to TDC and not pressurize. It's a tried and true method. Already cranked it by hand this morning and 45 degrees of revolution is nothing.

Originally Posted by ron's power stroke
lol whats a spark plug ????

I couldn't resist.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2010 | 12:55 AM
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Yeah, TDC will work too in this case.
The piston will hold up the valve.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2010 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Yeah, TDC will work too in this case.
The piston will hold up the valve.
I'll feel more comfortable knowing the piston is at TDC vs under pressure and possibly BDC.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2010 | 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by PaysonPSD
I'm just going to get the cylinder to TDC and not pressurize. It's a tried and true method. Already cranked it by hand this morning and 45 degrees of revolution is nothing.




I couldn't resist.
smart azz............ Happy Easter Robin...
 
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