The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Remove the valves

I bought a good valve spring compressor and remove the #1 exhaust valve.. I was going to remove the intake valve but noticed half of the caps on the valve springs are different, almost like a mushroom... I looked in my shop manual but I didn't see much about removing valve springs. In looking at these caps I don't see where compressing them would release any retainers. Am I just looking at things wrong or is there a trick.. I don't want to damage anything.

Colton,

Let's suppose you are referring to your 1950 216 motor?
(always post year size/source (model truck/car) of an engine in each new thread).

Start at Removal and Disassembly, step 1 : Cylinder Head and Valve conditioning?

I appreciate the post.. The link is the same info as my service manual.. The truck is a 1950 chevy 3100 with a 216 motor. Here is a picture of one typical set of intake /exhaust valves. One thing I just noticed with the spring top that looks like a top hat.. It freely spins with the spring under tension. I am guessing it is some sort of a cover or something. If the spring retainers are under that then I need to get it off of the valves so I can remove the retainers

I do not understand your question, Colton

Do you have the head off of the engine?

If so, the valve spring compressor pushes the the disc near the top of valve downwards - so the two retainers come out/loose. Step 16 in the procedure in the shop manual.

Yes the head is off the engine. In the picture, the valve on the right - you can see the 2 retainers around the valve shaft. but the valve on the left looks different. It looks like some kind of cover on the spring which can be turned easily by hand. One value spring in each value set has that cover thingy.. I'm just concerned about damaging something if I don't take it off, but not sure how.

If you use a pair of channel locks directly from above valve gently gripping opposite sides pull straight up as you wiggle somewhat they should pop off

Nothing mechanical holding them on. Just tapped into top of valve/spring

Those caps are usually only held on by gravity and the rocker arm.

Ed

Does anyone know the purpose of those caps? Are they on the exhaust valves?

Looks like an aftermarket solution for an oil burning engine.

Deflect some of the oil from running down valve stem maybe? Not 100% sure

Don't think its aftermarket. There are 3 nos sets on e bay now. With gm part #

It's an old-time version of the "umbrella" valve stem seal- - - -with the intake valve stem completely vertical, that item reduces the tendency for oil to run down the valve stem and pool on top of the guide. A slightly loose valve guide with intake manifold vacuum under it will suck up oil like a vacuum cleaner. Just pull them off with a pair of pliers, and don't reinstall them. Use an aftermarket seal on the stem inside the spring when you reassemble the head.
A 1950 235 that I was given as a basket case had those same pieces included in the pile of parts. It took me a while to figure out what they were.
Jerry

Looking at eBay, the caps are for the intake valves. I think Paul_WNC & Johnny N are correct.

Thanks everyone.. I never seen anything like it before, but never work on an engine quite this old either.