Question on Valve Spring Retaner Replacements?

[kosonen04]

Hey everyone just wondering well i ordered some Comp Cams 980s for the GN and they say somthing about replaycing the Rocker Arm Retaners or somthing about that? They say that if they are nylon the are NOT reuseable well i priced out a set and damn $60 about is what i found out COULD i reuse them has any one changed out there springs and keept the stockers or should i just get them. All the info the better thanks eveyrone

 

[XLR8]

I just took off the shafts, replaced the springs, then reinstalled the shafts. I didn't replace anything but the springs. That was 4 years ago and all is well.

 

[87NAT]

If you use the kirban removal tool there is a rocker arm that comes with the tool. It slides onto the shaft so you need to remove those retainers and they WILL break when you take them off if they are old. I know mine did. Of course it depends on what your using to remove the springs.

Just my 2 cents...but the kirban tool makes for an easy job, especially in the rear passenger area by the A/C.

 

[kosonen04]

i dident get the kirbin remover, what others would be a good on i was thinking about geting one from napa or somthing? Also can someone tell me were them retaners are? they want about $60 so if i can go with out replaceing them i want to let me know, Also what is a different spring remover tool? can i just get a over the head spring remover tool?

 

[conn84gn]

NAPA Has the Nylon push pins as they call them 5-10 cents each

 

[salvageV6]

Take a look at cylinder #6 in the back passenger side of the car.

Then take a look at most of the tools you can find to do the job.

Then take a look over on Kirbans site of his Buick spring removal tool.

If you are experienced and mechanically inclined you may be able to make something else work.

If you are questioning your abilities regarding the job the Kirbans tool makes it much easier.

The nylon push pin retainers should be available at parts suppliers cheap.

I only replaced mine when I did the upgraded rocker shafts as someone else already assembled them onto it.

I didn't replace the nylon retainers when I did the valve spring jobs on two cars, nor was there any stress on them to cause damage when removing the rocker arm shafts. You don't remove the rockers themselves from the arms so unless they are broken for some reason don't touch anything, the whole assembly comes off with the three bolts you remove, that part is easy.

Don't drop the pushrods down the holes, I kept mine in the same holes they came out of and cleaned them up good also.

Felpro viton valve seals should also be available easily at any local parts house for about $0.50 each.

 

[VadersV6]

I dont know about you guys, but thats not a piece I would ever re-use after pulling, or if I saw some side wear on them. Those clips are designed to only be pushed in 1 direction, 1 time. If you pull them out, the retaining feature will get damaged....which is obvious. But if you see side wear, the rockers are moving sideways, and the top of the valve stems are getting damaged (mushroomed). Then when they get damaged and worn in all kinds of directions, if it wears enough, the rocker starts to push on the spring caps, and then the keepers. Then valve go bye bye into Mr. Cylinder and BOOM!

 

[kosonen04]

Hey everyone just wondering the rocker arm retaining nuts did anyone replace them? what type are they? I think they are just a Nut with Nylock inside am i right because at my school i go to wyotech, on Alldata they said that there are rocker arm retaners and they say if removed they are not reusable is that what they are talking about the Rocker arm nuts? I need to know what to buy if anythign if someone out there could just tell me EVERYTHIG i need to do just the valve springs and nonthing else. Thanks

 

[NM Tom]

Go to NAPA and get the rocker arm retainers. They are nylon. I replaced all 12 on mine when I did the valve springs. I thing they were about 25 cents each, buy a couple extra in case you break one putting them in.

 

[kosonen04]

Alright how hard are they to put in do i need any tool? And were do they go i have never had a buick apart, as of now this is what i have new springs new o-rings a vlave spring compreser.

 

[NM Tom]

I lied, they are NAPA #cep2141129...49 cents each. No tool needed. You just pound them in. Again, get a couple extra, I broke 1 putting them in. Luckily I had extra(and the box they came in)to give you the part number!!

 

[bison]

Alright how hard are they to put in do i need any tool? And were do they go i have never had a buick apart, as of now this is what i have new springs new o-rings a vlave spring compreser.

They are easy to put in with a Ford wrench.

 

[kosonen04]

Hey everyone im in a bind right now im installing some new valve springs, i have aftermarket exaust and the wonderfull people at the exaust place took the cat off and welded strate onto the down pipe i think it just go's right into the muffeler, And im having truble figger out how in the heck to remove it or get it out of the way to just take the valve cover off, I need all the help as poseble. PLEASE HELP

 

[salvageV6]

Unless the downpipe was welded to the valve cover you shouldn't need to take it off the car.

You might have to loosen the water hoses on that side however to get the cover to clear the obstacles.

 

[NM Tom]

Make sure you remove the wiring harness that goes around the heater box. Also remove the harness mounts. That should give you enough room to remove the cover without removing the water hoses.

 

[kosonen04]

Remmber this is a 85 Hot car i am working on but i got it, its going to be a pain with the springs but i guess that how GM wanted it to be HAHAH j/k but anyways can someone tell me if they used them stock i guess they are a spring cover? the thing that go's around the valve sprng i have never seen that before, i have the comp cams 980's or do you just leave them out? Alright thanks
Brian

 

[NM Tom]

You do not use the "cups" with the 980's.

 

[kosonen04]

How come? what if i do put them on? they seem like they need to be used what are they there for?

 

[NM Tom]

If you put them on you will raise the spring tension as the cups act like shims. 980's are about 85 pound springs, if you put the cups on it could raise the spring pressure too high and increase the likelyhood of wiping a cam lobe.

 

[kosonen04]

Got ya thanks its going pretty good i just hope i notice some power diff. We will see i will let you all know