ransam

iTrader: (2)

Im going to change valve springs on my lq4 with the heads on the motor and want to try putting the piston up to tdc to keep the valves up while i change springs. Im doing this alone so i dont have anyone to feel for air escaping. Does anyone have any ideas how to do this? Thanks for any help

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Remote starter switch.

MMroc86

This worked for me on an l05....

MMroc86

double post... opps

ransam

iTrader: (2)

The engine is bolted to the k member and hanging from the hoist with no starter so the remote starter wont work and i dont hve the adapter to screw into the spark plug hole otherwise i would just hook the compressor to it to hold the valves up any other ideas?

25th327RS

iTrader: (2)

Rope truck will work perfect for this situation. Thread as much small rope into the cylinder as you can, and rotate the engine with a breaker bar intil it stops. The piston will squeeze the rope into the top of the cylinder and combustion chamber, holding the valves up firmly and making it impossible for them to fall out of the head

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Rope trick can work...

If the motor is out, just remove all the plugs, rockers and pushrods. Keep the rockers and push rods in order... It'll turn over with a socket on the crank bolt no problem. Then use an old push rod or a screw driver in the spark plug hole and slowly raise the piston until whatever you stick in there stops going up. Heck with it out of the car you can probably shine a flashlight down in there and see the piston when its at the top.

Piece of cake. And dont forget, two pistons are always at TDC at the same time. So you can do two cylinders without rotating the motor. After you have one at TDC, the rest are easy.

J.

25th327RS

iTrader: (2)

I like the screwdriver method, and that's what I do at home. Not sure how well it will work without the air fitting to pressurize the cylinder to hold the valves up though.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The adapter for the air hose to the spark plug hole is about $10 from Sears, NAPA, probably most chain parts stores.

I've never tried the "rope trick", seemed too tricky. Using the piston itself allows valve movement that may not allow you to compress the spring enough to get the keepers out. The air hold just depends upon the air pressure supply not being interrupted.

ransam

iTrader: (2)

Ok if i buy the fitting to hook the compressor to the head what should i adjust regulator to? I would guess i woldnt want 150 psi going into the motor would I?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

No reason not to.

Mine starts up at 85 psi, off at 115.