Valve install trick

[solomon]

i have an 8 horse flathead briggs, and i cant get exhaust valve installed because i have no spring compressor. Any tricks on getting the retainer installed with the 2 little keepers also? Or am i gonna have to see if my local mower shop can do it even though they are backed up for 3 weeks

 

[sideways]

I got one of these in, and yes it was bloody near impossible, took hours of swearing . I just levered the spring back with a screwdriver put retainer on with some pliers got another screwdriver to hold the retainer back with while I tried to put the little keepers in. It helps if you have something to keep the valve closed.

Get a spring compressor, they pay for themselves instantly, jr dragster made one, heres his post.

Homemade valve spring compressor for medium duty flat head valve springs. Took me about half hour to make at most but works wonderfully.

Hayden

 

[mike75925]

i hope you guys are draining the oil and flipping the engine over (piston down).

 

[anderkart]

Hey I like that DIY compressor but if all else fails tote yer (clean) engine down to a machine shop and ask if they'd Instal your spring. After they say yeah pull out a $5 bill and say thats all the money you have and dont need a recept.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

i hope you guys are draining the oil and flipping the engine over (piston down).

I dont see why that would matter, as long as the piston is at TDC so both the valves are at rest you could change the valves with simply removing the head and breather/valve cover.

 

[motor_head]

it's much easier to put the 2 little pieces in with it upside down. can't think of what there called at the moment

 

[freakboy]

well its much easyer having the engine the right way up. and for my 20 hp oppy i just used zip ties and channel locks and compressed the springs then zip tied them and threw em in and put the retainers in and sniped the zip ties.

 

[solomon]

i tried zip ties but they broke, i usually use vise grips to keep the valve to the block (just enough pressure to hold it.) I just couldn't do it, so i brought it to the mower shop and payed 3 bux to have em do it

 

[solomon]

too bad i dont have a welder =(

 

[oscaryu1]

I got one of these in, and yes it was bloody near impossible, took hours of swearing . I just levered the spring back with a screwdriver put retainer on with some pliers got another screwdriver to hold the retainer back with while I tried to put the little keepers in. It helps if you have something to keep the valve closed.

Get a spring compressor, they pay for themselves instantly, jr dragster made one, heres his post.




Hayden

How the heck is that gonna work on a flatty?

 

[Thedude]

Just use two minus screw drivers. Took me 5min