Damn Keepers - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Sturgill_SS · 02-10-2018, 12:33 PM

I finally got around re-assembling one of the heads yesterday. Those keepers are a real PITA! With all the pressure and tension that those withstand I want to make sure they are seated properly before I crank this thing to prevent any possible failures. Any advice?

Bo White · 02-10-2018, 12:46 PM

Once assembled bump the end of the valve stem with a dead blow.

Sturgill_SS · 02-10-2018, 09:24 PM

Will do! Thanks as always Bo!

Bo White · 02-10-2018, 09:32 PM

Yeah if its gonna come part it will do it then. Just be sure to hit the end of the valve and not the retainer

Pro-tuned · 02-10-2018, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sturgill_SS

I finally got around re-assembling one of the heads yesterday. Those keepers are a real PITA! With all the pressure and tension that those withstand I want to make sure they are seated properly before I crank this thing to prevent any possible failures. Any advice?

Forgive me but curious why a PITA?

miller8907 · 02-11-2018, 01:54 AM

What spring compressor are you using?

Clarkstar · 02-11-2018, 06:57 AM

I used the trickflow dual spring compressor (2 at a time)... worked great. Just have to make sure that when you start compressing the spring the tool is centered on the retainer so when its compressed there is room on both sides of the valve stem to drop the keepers in. If done correctly, they literally drop in place....

WHAMMO · 02-11-2018, 10:51 PM

With what tool? Mine were a breeze with the trickflow tool ...

Russell James · 02-12-2018, 07:53 AM

As long as you know for sure the locks and retainers are the right part, right angle... it's pretty much fool proof. One that is not seated right will look all jacked up. Look down the row of retainers, close look at the top, none looked jacked up good to go. A little dab of assembly grease will hold them in place while you release the spring tool.

Sturgill_SS · 02-12-2018, 09:43 AM

I used a rental compressor from Advance Auto. I just needed a little extra length to compress those springs a little more so I put a socket on the end of the extension rod. The 2nd head was stripped, cleaned, and had the new springs on within an hour. A lot easier after you figure it out!

JOURDAN · 02-12-2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sturgill_SS

I finally got around re-assembling one of the heads yesterday. Those keepers are a real PITA! With all the pressure and tension that those withstand I want to make sure they are seated properly before I crank this thing to prevent any possible failures. Any advice?

Tip, A small screw drive - flat blade, use grease as glue, for stem and screw driver to pick up keepers. Then they stay where you want them.

Once installed, using a rubber mallet, throw a soft thick cotton towel over the spring and valve and hit it gently, enough to gently lift off seat and snap down.

This will insure its positioned correctly, after visual inspection.

Pro-tuned · 02-13-2018, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOURDAN

Tip, A small screw drive - flat blade, use grease as glue, for stem and screw driver to pick up keepers. Then they stay where you want them.

Once installed, using a rubber mallet, throw a soft thick cotton towel over the spring and valve and hit it gently, enough to gently lift off seat and snap down.

This will insure its positioned correctly, after visual inspection.

Great suggestion👆

02-10-2018, 12:33 PM	#1
Sturgill_SS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Independence, KY Posts: 518	Damn Keepers I finally got around re-assembling one of the heads yesterday. Those keepers are a real PITA! With all the pressure and tension that those withstand I want to make sure they are seated properly before I crank this thing to prevent any possible failures. Any advice?

02-10-2018, 12:46 PM	#2
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	Once assembled bump the end of the valve stem with a dead blow. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

02-10-2018, 09:32 PM	#4
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	Yeah if its gonna come part it will do it then. Just be sure to hit the end of the valve and not the retainer __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

02-11-2018, 01:54 AM	#6
miller8907 Drives: 2014 1SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 621	What spring compressor are you using? __________________ 2014 1SS/RS LS3 AGP TT, Custom TSP Cam, 4L80E Swap 1/4 mile- 9.53 @ 145mph

02-11-2018, 06:57 AM	#7
Clarkstar Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ixonia wi Posts: 1,456	I used the trickflow dual spring compressor (2 at a time)... worked great. Just have to make sure that when you start compressing the spring the tool is centered on the retainer so when its compressed there is room on both sides of the valve stem to drop the keepers in. If done correctly, they literally drop in place.... __________________ 2013 1le- Katech 416 short block, TSP custom grind cam, LOD intake, cnc heads by F.ED., Nick William's 102mm T.B., CORN fed, Pedders coilovers. Performance street alingnment by Justin at Lake Country Alignment and dyno tune by Late Model Throttle. 603 h.p. 495 ft lbs tq.

02-10-2018, 09:24 PM	#3
Sturgill_SS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Independence, KY Posts: 518	Will do! Thanks as always Bo!

02-11-2018, 10:51 PM	#8
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,642	With what tool? Mine were a breeze with the trickflow tool ... __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.

02-12-2018, 07:53 AM	#9
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	As long as you know for sure the locks and retainers are the right part, right angle... it's pretty much fool proof. One that is not seated right will look all jacked up. Look down the row of retainers, close look at the top, none looked jacked up good to go. A little dab of assembly grease will hold them in place while you release the spring tool.

02-12-2018, 09:43 AM	#10
Sturgill_SS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Independence, KY Posts: 518	I used a rental compressor from Advance Auto. I just needed a little extra length to compress those springs a little more so I put a socket on the end of the extension rod. The 2nd head was stripped, cleaned, and had the new springs on within an hour. A lot easier after you figure it out!