terakilla The retainers come in 2 pieces, you guys may just see the open end. A picture would really help with this. How much knowledge do you guys have with motors? Do you have basic tools and a torque wrench? An air compressor is also needed to do this repair. You will need to pressurize the cylinder to keep the valve up. Some guys use rope to do the samw thing with filling the hole with nylon rope and rotating the crank until it is squeezed and holds the valve up. Just have to take your time. You will need a valve spring compressor. I like the KD one for easy to use and cost about $45.00. You might be able to rent one at a pepboys or Autozone store.
Here is the thing, there are 3 different degree locks and about 5-6 height on the lock in the keeper. If the heads are on the motor, you have a couple of ways to go as to not loose the valve into the motor and have to remove the heads.
To remove this valve keeper, get a smooth hammer head and tap on the springer retainer to loosen it from the valve keeper. You will see it seperate. Get your air hooked up or your rope in the hole and get pressure on the valve. Install the valve spring compressor and tighten until you can remove the retainers off the valve stem. Use a small magnet to grap both the keeper halfs. VERYIMPORTANT, BECAREFULL WITH THE VALVE SPRING, IT'S UNDER ALOT OF PRESSURE IN THE TOOL. WRAP A SHOP TOWEL AROUND IT AND LOOSEN THE TENSION ON THE SPRING UNTIL LOOSE. Take the keepers to a machine shop and have them check for correct size and depth of lock. It is a 3/8" valve stem, the question is the depth of the keeper lock. The sell new keepers with 6,8, and 10 degree keeper locks. Get a known one like Comp Cams. Reinstall is the reverse of what is above. AGAIN BE CAREFUL WITH THE VALVE SPRING WHEN TIGHTENING IT TO REINSTALL. After you have the keepers back in the retainer, again wack the spring retainer a couple of time to seat the keepers. Put rag over retainer in case keeper is not seated.
It's not hard to do, just takes time. You will need valve cover gaskets and do an
oil change too after the repair. Put rags around where you are working to keep from loosing the keepers and have them fall into the motor.
This does happen and pulling the
oil pan and looking for the keeper sucks
I don't know how much mileage is on the motor but you might want to replace the
oil stem seals also at this time. If 1 keeper is cracked of broken, replaced them all, You all ready have half the motor apart to work on. If you want to talk about this, call me I'm in NJ 732-254-3536 and leave a message I will call back.
Rick L. Good luck, Happy Holidays.
