[stfinney]

Can it be done easy enough for a backyard mechanic such as myself?

[slider in wa]

yep. You can do it. Need a spring compressor. It is real easy to do. Did you buy new springs?How about new keepers?
Slider in Wa.

[stfinney]

Yeah, I bought the whole kit with springs, keepers and the retainers.

[Steve karch]

Its not that hard. If the heads are on the motor, run some compressed air into the cylinder, then with a hamer and a punch with a fairly large diameter or use a socket extension, tap the retainer a couple of times to break the keepers free, then with the spring compressor compress the spring. Use a magnet to remove the keepers and the spring is free, install the new spring, and basicly reverse the procedure except you dont have to hit the retainer. You have to make sure that both valves are closed otherwise the cylinder wont hold any air pressure. If the heads are off you obviously dont need the compressed air.

[stfinney]

Thanks for your help. I changed out my cam a while back, but didn't know I had to change the springs (duh). Would it be a good idea to go ahead and change the lifters again and the pushrods too??

[Quepas00]

I would'nt change the lifters being there already broke in with the cam, and the push rods should be ok also, unless your putting in some kind of monster springs that call for heavier push rods.

[MHenricks]

You should be able to purchase a hand spring compressor really cheap from the parts store. You'll need it to install the springs you can also use it to remove the springs.

[ScottPuddintane]

Important Note!!!

Make sure each piston is all the way up before you remove that cylinder's springs (to stop the valve if needed). If a valve slips down into the cylinder you'll have to pull that head!!!!