I want to try to clean the valve stems and the springs in the heads. However, I do not have the spring decompressior. Does any one have an alternate method of doing so?

Thanks!

 

Are the heads on the engine? If so, you need a method to keep the valves in place when you remove the spring. There is a fitting that screws into the spark plug hole and uses compressed air to keep the valve closed and in place. The lever type spring remover is very inexpensive. Here are some pictures of how to do it. I had to weld an extension on mine because the springs I was removing were twice as strong and tall as stock springs. You shouldn't need to do that.

These are AFR185 heads on my GT40 engine. Here I have installed the air fitting into the spark plug hole and am hooking up compressed air:



The spring compressor is a simple lever that bolts to a rocker arm stud. You pull up on the lever and it compresses the spring. I then use a magnet to remove the retainer locks:



Springs all changed and Jesel valve train reinstalled:

 

yep. there's only 2 ways to do it:
heads off engine --> use spring compressor
heads on engine --> use the method Mark used

With the latter version I've heard that some people dropped valves, but it seems quite successful for most.

I have the same attachments but I got mine with a compression tester that I bought once. I thought that was a nice addition to the packet. so if you have one check it out you might be lucky and have that fitting already to blow compressed air into spark plug hole

 

sounds good. I will give it a go!

 

*drools at shaft mount jesel rockers*

god i hate / envy you lol

 

No kidding. Jessel's. Very nice! I was running out of money by that point and did not go that far with my build. Envious!

On the spring removal, watch what you are doing and keep an eye on those retainers. They can FLY off of those stems and disappear.

 

you could use a 3/4" extended socket with a BFH...that did the trick for me once lol