302 Valve Springs - How To Change Valvesprings

The first step is to remove...        read full caption The first step is to remove the spark plug from the appropriate cylinder. We used a simple spark-plug adapter fitting from a compression tester combined with a quick-disconnect air fitting threaded directly to the adapter.

The Moroso tool fits both...        read full caption The Moroso tool fits both 31/48- and 71/416-inch rocker studs merely by swapping ends on the center shaft. The tool is also adjustable to allow compressing the spring just enough to expose the locks without coil-binding the spring. Once the handle travels over center, you can actually let go of it and use both hands to retrieve the locks.

A small magnet can also be...        read full caption A small magnet can also be helpful for grabbing locks that may fall inside the retainer.

Rocker Tracks
In the old Western movies, there was always an Indian who could track anything over impossible terrain. A good engine builder can also use near-invisible signs to help track the health of an engine. As we were swapping springs on our small-block Ford, we noticed an unusual wear pattern on a couple of valves. If you look closely at the accompanying photo, the valve on the right shows a typical wear pattern across the middle of the valve stem. This indicates a good pushrod length. But studying the valve-stem tip on the left, there is only a partial pattern on roughly half the width of the valve. This indicates that the valve-stem tip is not perpendicular to the stem. That places side load on the valve that can cause premature valve-guide wear. The solution for this would be to remove the head and face all the valves in a valve-grinding machine to ensure that all the valves will allow full-face contact with the rocker-arm roller tips.