removing valve keepers from an inline 6

[cell]

Hey guys,

I am knee deep in tearing apart my engine and have hit a stumbling block.

My Hayne's manual says to use a valve spring compressing tool to compress the spring until you can take the keepers out. Well, I can compress that spring all I want, but the keepers don't go anywhere, and I can't grab at them with pliers or anything.

How do you get these things out?

Thanks,
Jason Pepas