Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Replacing valve springs with the heavier ones

[thaile]

Before long I am going to take on this project of getting into teh motor and putting in the heavier valve springs instead of the stock springs. Someone told me that it would be easier just to take the entire head off of the truck to perform this job. Were they lying. I mean I am sure that it would be easier to but is it still feasible while leaving the head on or should I go ahead and take it off and have it ported and stuff like that. Also, what kind of tool are you all using to compress the springs for replacement and where do you purchase this from.



Still learning how to do some of these things so any help would be appreciated.

 

[GAmes]

NW Cummins in Portland replaced my exhaust springs in an hour. Think you could jerk the head off, replace the springs and reinstall it in an hour? I had only had the truck for two months then, didn't know a da** thing about it. I plan on replacing my intake springs myself when I get my GSK kit, and I figure it will take me all afternoon... ... ... ... ... but only because I don't want the beer in the frig to spoil!!

 

[Woodenhead]

No you don't have to take your head off. You can do it by barring the engine over, bringing each piston to TDC in pairs. With the piston at TDC the valve can't fall in.



Here's a link to a post with some good instructions. valve spring change



I used the NAPA valve spring compressor, worked great.



Do a search on "valve spring" you'll find everything you need to know. Once you get going changing springs you'll be surprised how easy it is. Just don't lose any keepers and be carefull not to bend any push rods.



Take Care

Mike

 

[rrl989]

Genos tool- TDR Issue #39

The new Issue # 39 of the TDR has the Geno's flyer in it. They sell a 12 valve "Valve spring compressor" $23. 50



Ron

 

[bighammer]

It took me longer than an hour, but it's not a bad job. I worked slowly and was doublechecking everything to make sure I didn't loose a valve into the cylinder. I bought a spring compessor from NAPA for ~$37 and it worked fine.



The one thing I figured out pretty quickly is that you need to sort of screw in the new spring into the tool otherwise it can't compress it enough. I also learned that being distracted during assembly of rockers leads to bent pushrods. (had one that wan't seated in the "cup" and bent the tip a bit, DOH!)



I was going to do the exhaust springs for my Pacbrake and decided to do them all for a 4k GSK. (which I have in the toolbox waiting for warmer weather)

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by GAmes

NW Cummins in Portland replaced my exhaust springs in an hour. Think you could jerk the head off, replace the springs and reinstall it in an hour? I had only had the truck for two months then, didn't know a da** thing about it. I plan on replacing my intake springs myself when I get my GSK kit, and I figure it will take me all afternoon... ... ... ... ... but only because I don't want the beer in the frig to spoil!!

An hour? Don't get me wrong, this was a good learning curve but an hour? Geez, I would gladly have paid to have this done in an hour.

 

[GAmes]

It may have been longer,

but that is all I paid for... ... . one hr labor. I have a hunch the guy had done it before.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: It may have been longer,

Originally posted by GAmes

but that is all I paid for... ... . one hr labor. I have a hunch the guy had done it before.

That's good! I don't have a place like that close by that will give me what I want. I like to do as much as I can because that is how you learn. First time around by yourself and TDR can take far longer than one hour. Worst part is not having the correct spring compressor and having wasted money on a junker.

 

[drice]

it only took me a month to get mine done.



I did it while rebuilding my engine and it took a while to get everything in but it is an easy job with the head off but then again teh 4k GSK is a 5 min job... ... ... ... ..... with the injection pump on the workbench.

 

[Reb.B]

an hour is fast, are u suree u didn't just get 6 springs changed. It probably wasn't done the right way. U want to put compressed air in the cylinder as well because u don't want the valve to turn, it could leak later if turned. Also cylinders 1-4 and even maybe 5 are easy as pie, ..... 6 is a royal PIA, ... BIG TIME! on our trucks it is eayier to chnage the springs on the head verses pulling the head, but if u plan onpulling the head in the furure then i would do it then

 

[GAmes]

Yup, just six

Reb, just did the exhaust for my e-brake. Had never heard of the TDR and thought bombing was what we did to the godless heathens who dare to disrupt our way of life.

 

[JoshPeters]

Let the Valves turn all they want. They should turn, if you look carefully at the rocker arm, it isn't at dead on center, therefore pushing the valve and making it turn slightly. It won't make a full revolution in probably 1000 pushes, but it will turn. This is normal.

 

[Dieseldemon]

valve springs

If they are done right it should take about 1 hr to do the exhaust springs It takes me about 2 hrs to do both the exhaust and the intakes I use the napa or the KD the KD is a little shorter and works better on the #5 and 6 valves