Valve Spring Change Tips?
 

I'm preparing to install slightly upgraded valve springs on my 2018 LT1 equipped with 11 psi of LT4 supercharger.

Has anyone done this in the car? Any tips/gotchas?

Is compressed air/rope trick really necessary? My Gen I and II motors did not require as long as the piston was at TDC - the valves would not drop excessively.

I do have the Blue Grass Gen V Valve Spring Compressor.

Thanks!

Shot of the OEM to BTR specials - they look cooler!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...cabe3e1260.jpg

You can forget doing it without removing the heads. The retainer lockers were completely stuck on my C7 LT1. Need to maintain valves pushed against the seats with a big C clamp and use the TSP tool to compress the springs. Otherwise you may bend the valves.

Do you believe your locks/retainers were damaged and that is why you couldn't remove the springs?

Upon examination of the BTR supplied locks - they don't appear to be any different than normal SBC stuff. I know wear/damage can occur that imprints the lock into the valve (likely valve float issues), but I'm hoping I haven't experienced any of that.

Appreciate the input.

They were not damaged. I reused them.

Interesting. Hope to give it a shot tomorrow and will report back. Thanks.

Affirm - only did #1 cylinder thus far.

BTR's installed:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f4d2c9b3b7.jpg

No air / rope tricks needed. Piston at TDC only let the valve drop a quarter of inch or so (more on the exhaust side).

Well, down to the last cylinder for the spring change and ended up with this image...what is missing?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b2b02d38fc.jpg

Oops...

Fortunately, I had eyes on when it flipped off the retainer...fell externally to the engine into the bowels of the engine compartment. So waiting for a replacement...bought 2 weeks of downtime. It was newbie mistake...not employing any catch rags.

I have done alot of cams and springs and I always put vaseline on them, easier to install and helps keep them from flying off and if the do they stick lol

Small magnet works great

Great suggestions - thanks!

Tim M,
Watched that "13th" Nürburgring visit video. Holy hell, i was scared just watching the video..., lol. Next business trip there, i must make time to visit that area.
Thanks for sharing. ;-)

You and me both! Video doesn't do the track justice...drop me a line and I'll give you a ride!

Just a quick question, but does boost really hurt or cause faster wear or premature failure to a valve spring? I would of thought boost would be irrelevant towards spring life on a motor with a stock cam, run stock RPM's?