Based on what i have read online, it looks like I need an air compressor to do this without removing the heads, and I don't have an air compressor here (I'm in an apartment at college right now). Is there another way?

 

Yeah, use a piece of rope Bring the cylinder you're working on to TDC, fill the combustion chamber with a piece of rope, then go at it. The rope will keep the valves from falling down into the chamber.

 

Without a compressor it's going to be time consuming, but it's not hard. Basically you fill the cylinder with a piece of rope or rubber tubing to prevent the valves from falling when you remove the springs. Once the cylinder is full of rope you bring the piston up to ensure everything stays in place. If you do drop a valve you're screwed, the head will have to come off. With the limited resources at school maybe you should wait until you're home on break. Using oil never killed anybody.



Here's a pretty good LINK. that shows some details. I'm sure you can find more.

 

I won't be home until June. Do you just stuff as much rope as possible in through the spark plug hole? How do you turn the crankshaft over by hand, just turn it over by the pully?

 

yah. at the lowest pulley (the harmonic balancer). There is a big nut in the center.
You'll need a rachet, short extension and a socket. i think it's 3/4" but don't quote me on that. Always make sure to turn the engine in the direction it would rotate while running.

I love the rope idea. never tried. what i don't get from this post is: stuff rop in, then push piston up or have piston on TDC and then shove in the rope?