Guys need advice on how to install the keepers
These are the two piece with the hat washer
I have the springs in and hat washers on but I can't get the keepers instand
What are others doing to get them in
Put grease on them, the grease will act as a glue and help hold them in place until I release the spring.
Exactly as Mike stated. Sometimes I grease the valve instead which seems maybe a little easier but not by much. Might keep your fingers cleaner for when you get the next ones.
If you are using a spring compressor, adjust it so that it doesn't push the hat so far down the valve stem. Make it so that you have to kind of snap the keeper into the groove. If you are using a lever style or non adjustable compressor then the grease works ok.
What kind of spring compressor are you guy using I urging old style works great for the pin style
Wondering if those new C clamp stay would be better as you know b not much room in there
I like the original Ford Z tool spring compressor the best.
Bob, if you have a spring compressor which does not keep the cap on the level, when you release it, it will often displace the collets. The best compressor is one which keeps the cap flat. My old timer has a parallel lift which keeps everything in line.
Grease is the way to go.
Allan from down under.
I just did one yesterday.
I always put grease on the valve stem after the spring is compressed.
I use an air operated spring compressor made for over head valves but it works great on a T or A also.
If the engine is out of the car I lay it on its side so the valve side is up.
I put the keepers one forward and one to the rear so when I release the spring compressor I can see both keepers going into the retainer.
If you also use a C clamp type compressor make sure the part that pushes against the valve head is dead in the middle of the valve head so the bottom of the spring is not cocked to one side, like Allan was talking about.
I've got four different styles and the one I keep going back to is an old C clamp style. It's done everything from Briggs engines to 454 V8 heads. It leaves both hands free to fiddle with the keepers. I use Vaseline to hold the keepers in place. It dissolves quickly in oil and doesn't add contaminates to the oil like some grease products.
The bow style and leverage style are just plain dangerous to use with keepers. Pins are ok since you can use needle nose pliers to install them and keep your fingers out of the area but it's still a 2-3 hand operation.
I use a K-D split valve keeper tool # 605. It holds the two keepers in a pliers type tool. Works good. A little grease also helps. Made for flat head engines. There is one for sale on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/NICE-K-D-MFG-USA-NO-605-SPLIT-VALVE-KEEPER-INSERTER-TOOL -spring-pliers-clamp-/321860292215
The lifters I have work great for pins but they don't lift the cap square and are barely wide enouf
To clear the keepers I bought an old style C clamp style only and will see if that helps
Update
Got an old Chicago clamp spring compressor this gave me the room is needed get the keepers in thanks for the help on the forum