Removal of Valves/camshaft/etc.

[Powerhouse]

Howdy all,

Just wondering if there's a special way to remove the camshaft? I tried putting little blocks under the valves to keep the lifters off the cam...but still no go. I want to take the block to get it dipped and bored.

[Dodgeb4ya]

You probably should get the special side valve spring compressor tool to remove the valves and springs completely. Then with the lifters pulled up/and or the block upside down-so the lifters will fall away from the cam, then the cam will come out easily.

It is possible to do it like you have tried but the valves have to be wedged up to the very limit and then keep twisting the cam around and back and forth-it should come out, but a lot of extra effort.

[Powerhouse]

OH. What does the special side valve tool look like? I made a tool out of a clamp by cutting one end into a 2 pronged fork.

[Dodgeb4ya]

OH. What does the special side valve tool look like? I made a tool out of a clamp by cutting one end into a 2 pronged fork.

Here are the tools available for valve/spring removal.

[Don Coatney]

OH. What does the special side valve tool look like? I made a tool out of a clamp by cutting one end into a 2 pronged fork.

Looks like this.

[Powerhouse]

How do you get the springs out?

[Powerhouse]

the spring was getting caught on the lifter head and is not coming out easily...so I just twisted it a bit and compressed it by hand till it cam out

Edited April 23, 2010 by Powerhouse

[jcmiller]

I'm using the same kind of tool shown in Don's picture above to remove valve springs.  I thought that when I compressed the spring, the end of the valve stem would become exposed so I can remove the keepers.  However, the valve just moves up with the spring, also as shown in Don's photo.  The head is off so I built a wood frame around the engine to hold the valves down, but that is not working either, despite putting quite a bit of pressure on the spring.  What am I doing wrong?  Thx.

[_shel_ny]

Don't think you are doing anything wrong. The keepers are just tight into the retainer, and have to be coaxed out.

 

Edit: generally a little tap on the top of the valve does it.

Edited May 11, 2013 by shel_bizzy_48

[ptwothree]

If the head is off and the spring is compressed, you can smack the valve head, that should loosen things enough to get the keepers out.  Use a soft hammer so you don't damage the valve head.  When you get the engine out of the car, turn it upside down and push the lifters away from the cam.  Now you can pull the cam.  You can then turn the engine over so it's upright and the lifters will fall into the oil pan..simple ...

[jcmiller]

Thank you.  I guess I just needed the green light to use a hammer.  That did the trick.  All the keepers are off and only two disappeared in the process.  I tried the magnet trick but a couple escaped, one of which flew across the room and landed somewhere on the work bench.