Changing Valve Springs

[Jason_s79]

I've done a little searching through the forums, and I came across a video on another site explaining how to remove the cam followers/rockers with nothing but a flat head screwdriver, the forward to the video states "I'm no expert, just too cheap to buy a $140 spring compressor".

now - on to the question - after you have the follower/rocker removed, can you then remove and replace the valve spring without the specialty tool? I have a shop replacing an intake spring on the number 6 cylinder, and I showed the video to the mechanic performing the job. For some reason he was talking about removing the cam to swap the spring and he doesn't have the cam indexing tools for the 4.6lDOHC. I am a little irritated that they've had my car for a week now and they're not done with it and don't seem to fully understand how to properly do the job.

Looks like broken valve springs are a fairly common thing, so around tax time I think I'm going to replace the rest of them myself. I just want to make sure I fully understand how to do the job. I am thinking, if its worth it, it might also be a good time for a cam swap. Maybe headers and a 98 cobra intake too.

 

[driller]

Have you looked for the tool on eBay?

Often you can "rent" or borrow tools for a deposit from most parts stores.

While you certainly can replace the follower without the "special" tool, I wouldn't necessarily recommend replacing the spring without the "proper" tool.

Either way, if the shop does not feel confident, I wouldn't want them working on my car.

 

[Jason_s79]

I'm hoping they can get it back together, and stand behind their work. It really bothered me when the guy said he was going to be removing the cam. When I told him it wasn't necessary he looked at me like I was from outer space. I would take it from them to someplace else, or do it myself for that matter if I owned the spring compressors but I'm afraid of what they would try to charge me for the work they've already done. But atleast I've got them to understand that they don't need to remove the cam to replace the spring. We'll see. If they screw it up, small claims court may be in their future unless they promptly make it right.