valve keeper

I'm loosing my freakin mind on these valve keepers. I got the first head done not too much of a problem but on the second head EVERY valve keeper is seized to the valve stem. I sprayed them down with cleaner and I gently tap on the spring compressor with a rubber mallet. If I tap too hard the compressor comes flying off. I'm about to take my sawzall to these sons of b*****s

support the head on two pieces of wood at the ends of the head to prevent banging the valve heads on the work bench and place the open end of a deep socket on the retainer. Hit the socket with a hammer and the whole mess will disassemble before your very eyes. The interior of the socket will prevent the keepers from orbiting another planet.

I'll try that. can't say it's in a shop it's on a kitchen counter. Wife is getting kind of pissed about having cylinder heads in the kitchen. I'll try that though. Thanks

Choose a socket slightly smaller than the o.d. of the retainer, but large enough to clear the keepers.

just did my first one in like 15 seconds it was apart. Great idea thanks

Just finished the whole head in the time it took me to do one valve with the compressor. Wish I could install them as easy as that. Thanks again

That's what us old guys are on here for, to pass along tidbits :)