Author Topic: Valve springs  (Read 6555 times)

mulrik

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Valve springs
« on: December 29, 2004, 12:16:07 »
Dear Forum
Merry Christmas to everyone!!

I'm presently renovating my cylinder head. I can see that some of the white valve seals have come loose, which I guess is the reason it was burning oil.

I'm trying to remove the valves, which is causing me trouble. I bought a valve spring retainer, which is basicly a bench-wrench. However, it broke. I guess it wasn't very good quality. However, before it broke I managed to remove one valve. I tried to use a regular bench-wrench on the others, but when I had it really really tight still nothing happend, the small wedges that hold the valve wouldn't come off. I became afraid of doing something wrong like bending the valve or something.

Now my questions are: Do you have any tricks to do this? Is the tool depicted in Haynes better? Is it possible to do any damage? Have others had the same kind of trouble?

Thanks once again for all your advice!!!!!
Ulrik


'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

George Des

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2004, 16:16:09 »
Ulrick,
I made up the tool depicted in the Haynes Repair manual. I used a piece of square steel tubing and cut out the opening and the slot using a Dremel Moto-tool. It worked great and was considerably less than what the Mercedes tool would have cost. If I were in the business of doing these heads I might re-consider and buy the proper tool, but for the one or two times I would use this, the Haynes tool was sufficient.

George Des

Benz Dr.

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2004, 18:04:21 »
There's a trick to everything. This one is pretty simple though.

 HIT IT WITH A HAMMER!  

 Really, it's what I do. The retainer gets stuck on between that and the keepers. A light tap with some pressure on the springs will knock it loose. You pretty much have to do this on all of them.

Daniel G Caron
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

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Cees Klumper

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2005, 21:14:56 »
I was baffled when I first used my new Hazet spring remover tool - no budging any of the springs. Then Joe Alexander sent me the same tip Dan posted: a jab with a hammer to loosen the split keepers to do the trick. One you have done a few of them it becomes an easy routine.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
Cees Klumper
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mulrik

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2005, 02:03:02 »
Just the final word
WHen I heard "use a hammer" I thought that you were out of your mind!! But for equalminded unexperienced followers, I tell you: It is just the right trick. Hit on top of the ring of the valve with progressive force with a big hammer and the retainers go loose. Place a piece of wood below the exhaust valves before hitting those, as these sit higher than the intake.
Thanks!!!

'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

Benz Dr.

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2005, 10:27:24 »
I am out of my mind......... only no one knows about it ~)

Daniel G Caron
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

A Dalton

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2005, 10:32:22 »
Years ago we held a spark plug socket on top of the spring and gave them a good smack.  The keepers would pop right off and the socket kept them contained...

114015

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2005, 16:44:19 »
Cees,

Do you have the order (part) number of that Hazet tool?
I would like to buy one.

Thanks a lot in advance.
 8)



Achim
(Magdeburg, Germany)
Achim
(Germany)

Ben

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2005, 03:49:48 »
quote:
Years ago we held a spark plug socket on top of the spring and gave them a good smack. The keepers would pop right off and the socket kept them contained...


........yep I second that method......very quick too !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

Cees Klumper

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2005, 17:26:20 »
Hi Achim - the part number for the Hazet valve spring remover is 792-1.

The cost is a bit high compared to what I have seen at the usual auto parts stores: some EUR 75 plus VAT. If you need to use it for a while you can borrow mine if you want - otherwise I would just buy a generic set for maybe EUR 35 or so.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
« Last Edit: January 07, 2005, 16:58:21 by cees klumper »
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

ja17

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2005, 20:37:24 »
Hello,

Ben and ADalton, actually Snap-on makes a tool similar to what you are describing, except it has a strong magnet in the openening so when you smack the valve assembly with a mammer using the tool, the valve unhooks and the keepers are collected by the magnet in one easy blow!





Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
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erickmarciano

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2005, 19:40:24 »
do you guys put air in the spark plug hole to keep it up when you remove the springs?what is the best way to keep the valve falling down?
thanks

1971 280sl
1962 VW
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1962 gs160 vespa
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A Dalton

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2005, 22:57:41 »
quote:
Originally posted by ja17

Hello,

Ben and ADalton, actually Snap-on makes a tool similar to what you are describing, except it has a strong magnet in the openening so when you smack the valve assembly with a mammer using the tool, the valve unhooks and the keepers are collected by the magnet in one easy blow!


 Good One !!!
 Now we just have to put a magnet in the socket.. Radio Shack sells those round ones ... I bet they would fit right in there..

 KISS tool....
Tnx




Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio


ja17

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2005, 00:34:04 »
Hello Erick,
The tool I am talking about is meant to be used when the cylinder head is off the engine. When unhooking the valves with the head on the engine. I use a factory style tool and use air to hold the valves up. Yes you do still have to give the valve spring retainers a blow with a hammer before depressing them with a tool so that they will unhook.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

erickmarciano

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2005, 10:28:27 »
will this tool work to compress the sring?

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1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa
1994 E500 W124
1971 280sl
1989 Porsche 930 coupe
1988 e30 m3
2001 ducati mh900
2006 ps1000
1962 Vespa GS160

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Valve springs
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2005, 03:32:55 »
68 280SL