Recommend me tools for head disassembly/reassembly

[jlee]

^^

I want to strip my head, send it to a shop for proper cleaning / decking, and then put it all back together with new valve stem seals and valve springs. What should I buy?

 

[tracerbullet]

Just send the whole head. They may want to hone the guides or bush them, swap valves, and so on. Keepers, spring retainers, etc. may also need replacing. If they have it all, they know what to replace. I doubt it'll cost any different.

If you insist on only letting them machine it and also plan to supply your own valves, you'll at least need one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4572-Large...sxp_grid_i_0_1

Or something equivalent that performs the function. Other than that there's nothing to it.

 

[TheReaWarmonger]

Have you tried Ollydbg?

 

[2timer]

^^

I want to strip my head, send it to a shop for proper cleaning / decking, and then put it all back together with new valve stem seals and valve springs. What should I buy?

Valve spring compressor, a straight edge probably if you want to check the block deck for warpage limits (probably a good idea before you install a new head gasket), torque wrench to install the head bolts, obviously.

 

[jlee]

I'm going to have it cleaned and likely decked at the shop. They wanted $240 to assemble a bottom end, so I'm pretty sure it'll be cheaper if I bring them a bare head. Figure I'll reuse valves and install new seals - getting new springs anyway, because 9000rpm.

 

[phucheneh]

Head for what? If it's OHC with the cam(s) acting directly on followers above the valves, most all valve spring compressors will not be able to disassemble it. I take an appropriately sized Chinese socket, cut the side out of it, and use it as a spacer to compress the valve springs while giving me access to the keepers.

 

[jlee]

Head for what? If it's OHC with the cam(s) acting directly on followers above the valves, most all valve spring compressors will not be able to disassemble it. I take an appropriately sized Chinese socket, cut the side out of it, and use it as a spacer to compress the valve springs while giving me access to the keepers.

Toyota 3SGTE / MR2 Turbo. I ended up ordering one of these, recommended by black2na. Should do the trick.

 

[JCH13]

That is stupidly simple... I'm getting one of those the next time I strip down an engine...

 

[tracerbullet]

Just don't do like me and buy crappy valve seals that don't stay on the guides, or you'll be back in for a 2nd go at it.

 

[phucheneh]

Just don't do like me and buy crappy valve seals that don't stay on the guides, or you'll be back in for a 2nd go at it.

You sure you drove them on all the way? I dunno if I've ever used anything other than Felpro, but I've done valve seals on a lot of engines with no issues.

Also, in the case of older engines, notably domestic pushrod engines, of course...the seal may not be meant to stay put. 'Umbrella' seals are the ones with a thin plastic skirt, rather than rubber and a metal clip.

Also I call bullshit on that tool. Removal? Yeah, it's that easy. Installation, as shown in that video? Shens.

'Hi, I'm Billy Mays, and I'm dead, but also, check out how quick I can install valvesprings! It's so easy, you moron!'

Then I acquire the tool and shortly thereafter I've bent all my valves and thrown it across the room.

edit: also, installing keepers with petroleum jelly and a pick is like a ninja art form.

 

[2timer]

'Hi, I'm Billy Mays, and I'm dead, but also, check out how quick I can install valvesprings! It's so easy, you moron!'

edit: also, installing keepers with petroleum jelly and a pick is like a ninja art form.

Billie Mays

 

[Mandres]

^^

I want to strip my head, send it to a shop for proper cleaning / decking, and then put it all back together with new valve stem seals and valve springs. What should I buy?

I rebuilt the head on a small Suzuki bike engine, and let the machine shop clean it up and replace a cracked valve guide. If I ever have to do it again I'm going to drop off the complete head and let them do it all. That was a 2-cylinder 500cc engine with 4 valves total, and it was still a pain in the ass. And by the time I bought the tools I needed I didn't save much $.

I wouldn't even think about doing a modern auto head myself. The investment in holding jigs, precision measuring tools, valve spring compressor(s), etc. wouldn't make it economical, and you still need an experienced eye to inspect for damage.