WTH?? How delicate are the Intake valves?

[CShroom]

Hey all.

We got to the head on the motor here at the house. I was pulling the valves to get new stem seals on. Now I have used quite a few brute force methods to get the keepers off, but fearing doing major damage I used a C-Clamp with a piece of opened sqarestock to push the springs down to get the keepers. One side centered on the head of the valve and the other pushed down on the spring.

After I pulled them I did a check and every one had a twist!!

I swear I did my best to go easy here not wanting to have to replace anything, so just how delicate are these things? Or could it have been something else that did the damage? I am heading out today to get a proper valve spring compressor before trying again,but anyone have any tips on this? I have no desire to damage the other head all in the name of replacing stem seals.

I am stunned really. I have taken hammers and sockets to springs before to bounce keepers out with no damage, so I am quite surprised that a method I thought would be a kinder and gentler way would bend the heads of the valves.

[mdrburchette]

Never tried your method. A valve spring compressor sure makes it an easy job.