Unfortunately, I do not have a digital camera with me right now, or I could take a photo of the tool I made last summer to do the job. I bought one at a local tool store - it was garbage, so I made my own. Now, I have both a cutting torch and a welder to make it easier. I'll try and explain it to you.
BTW, I only removed the valve covers, not the complete head to do mine. I imagine if you take the heads right off, you could come up with all kinds of ways to skin this cat.
What I did (start your imagination)...
- I took a flat piece of steel 2" x 2 1/4" x 1/4" thick.
- I torched a u-shaped notch in from one end, approx. 3/4" wide x 1" long - this fits over the valve spring retainer, around the valve stem.
- I then drilled a 3/8" hole approx 1" from the other end - this fits over the rocker stud (see where I'm going with this?).
- I then welded this plate to a stiff bar (mine was 1/2" x 3/4" x 14" long), forming a 90 degree angle - sort of like a 90 degree pry bar.
- ....and that's it.
I then used the rocker stud as a fulcrum.
- remove the rocker.
- place the 3/8" hole over the stud, with the u-shaped notch on the valve spring retainer, place the nut back on the rocker stud.
- now you are able to pull back on the bar, forcing the spring to compress.
- .... then go from there.
Oh, yah, I did have to cut and reweld my handle when I did the cylinder next to the brake booster. Of course, if you remove the heads, you won't need to worry about that.
That's it. I wish I had a digital camera to post a pic, but the mental image will have to do.
Have fun
