removing valves from head without special tool?

[nomad]

I have two bad heads here and I wanted to take out the valves and springs so that I can make some cabinet handles with them in the garage.

I also plan to take a sawzall to a head after that, to cross section it and hang it on the wall.

Any ideas on how to get these out of the head without buying a valve spring compressor?

[robweenerpi]

Strip the cams and everything off.

Place the head on a piece of plywood.

Place a towel over the spring keeper.

Take a socket of sufficient diameter and place it over the keeper.

Whack it with a rubber mallet to depress the spring.

Be careful because the keepers and spring and collets will go flying as whacking them means sudden release.

[nomad]

hey, sounds fun!
Great idea. I'll give it a try.
I have some pretty large sockets so i may be able to slide one over the whole spring assembly to make it more "safe".

[nomad]

thanks for the idea. worked like a charm and was fun too.