Stuck Valve Keepers

M

Martman

Active Member

Jun 20, 2016

163

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28

Louisville, KY

Jul 19, 2017

#1

• Jul 19, 2017

• #1

What is the easiest and safest way to free stuck valve keepers? I am replacing valve seals and I have only ever helped do valve seals in the past and was never faced with valve keepers that won't free.

A buddy said to just tap the valve spring retainer on each side and that should do it. Is that the correct way? If that doesn't work what are some other options.

Thanks

 

imp

Mustang Master

Jul 13, 2017

531

105

83

Jul 20, 2017

#2

• Jul 20, 2017

• #2

Martman said:

What is the easiest and safest way to free stuck valve keepers? I am replacing valve seals and I have only ever helped do valve seals in the past and was never faced with valve keepers that won't free.

A buddy said to just tap the valve spring retainer on each side and that should do it. Is that the correct way? If that doesn't work what are some other options.

Thanks

Click to expand...

@Martman
Take a standard 1/2" drive socket wrench socket, about 7/16" or 1/2" bolt size, place it 1/2 open side up on the valve keeper nice & flat, whack it with a decent hammer. This exerts force evenly all around, your buddy's method is lop-sided. Try it! imp

 

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MFE92

10 Year Member

Aug 25, 2010

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Phoenix

Jul 20, 2017

#3

• Jul 20, 2017

• #3

Key word being WHACK it

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

11,606

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In the garage

Jul 20, 2017

#4

• Jul 20, 2017

• #4

rubber mallet

 

M

Martman

Active Member

Jun 20, 2016

163

23

28

Louisville, KY

Jul 20, 2017

#5

• Jul 20, 2017

• #5

Well I have started and some of these are definitely a pain in the rear. But it will get easier as the rubber mallet/soft hammer seems to work the best. Now only if this damn spring compressor would stay on.

 

imp

Mustang Master

Jul 13, 2017

531

105

83

Jul 20, 2017

#6

• Jul 20, 2017

• #6

@Martman
Was it mentioned whether the heads are still on the engine? Careful, if so, a valve dropped into a cylinder at bottom center means OFF with it's head! Usually compressed air is kept in the cyl. being worked on. That piston likely WILL be down bottom. Don't lose your air..... imp

 

M

Martman

Active Member

Jun 20, 2016

163

23

28

Louisville, KY

Jul 21, 2017

#7

• Jul 21, 2017

• #7

Well I am not sure if I mentioned but yes they are on the engine. I am using the rope method for my extra security. The compressed air is probably easier but the rope in cylinder is safer for me as I am not in the mood to pull these heads. If I pull the heads, the stockers are not going back on and the wife.....well we will just leave it at that.

Thanks for pointing that out though because I don't think most people realize the compressed air will push the piston down regardless of where they first started it.

 

M

Martman

Active Member

Jun 20, 2016

163

23

28

Louisville, KY

Jul 24, 2017

#8

• Jul 24, 2017

• #8

I like to posts follow-ups to how a job went. I got this done yesterday. However, I resorted to using the compressed air method. Much easier and much more effective. The rope method works but you have to make sure you get enough rope in to actually press both valves so it doesn't catch else where at the top and still leave room for the valves. The compressed air method was scary for me from a thought process but after doing it, that's the way to go.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions everyone.

 

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