So, how do i remove the valves in the inlet and exhaust on the stock vw heads?


cheers
adz

The heads have to be OFF the engine first Adam

You need a Valve spring compressor which compresses the spring down so you can remove the collets that hold the spring retainer onto the valve.

you could do it by sitting a block of wood on the valve face combustion chamber area and have the head so you can get at the springs. Use a brick beside the head to act as a lever point then use a long open end spanner that allows or fits across the spring retainer but still gives you access to the collets.

get your mate to stand on the spanner so it compresses the spring down and the block of wood under neath on the valve face stops the valve from pushing open. the other end of the spanner is on the brick or something that gives you the right height.

this should give you acess to the 2 collets which you can flick out with a thin screw driver or long nose pliers

get your mate to relieve the foot pressure slowly so you dont end up with a spring in your face

repeat this another 7 times and your valves will be all out.

Hey Adam,
I just went through the same hassle. I didn't find any cheap valve spring compressors suitable after visiting a number of places.
Lucky for me I had access to a press (at work). I set up under this, shaped a piece of wood to sit against each valve and a bit of steel to push down on the retainer still giving access to the collets. I found a magnet was helpful to get the collets out also.
:thumb

Adam

As Andy said use a press or if you have a drill press or pedastal drill at home this could also be used.

WATCH OUT FOR YOUR EYES AND FINGERS

USE SOME SAFETY GLASSES AS WELL.

I have used a g-clamp with a notch ground out of it to do this. As Andy said, usual spring compressors will not fit vw heads. As vw54 said watch your eyes, fingers etc. do it on an empty bench inside a cut out cardboard box to catch the clips as they fly of in random directions. Ask me how I learnt this :P

I have been taught to give them a good whack with a soft mallet on top of the valvetip to ensure all is seated before installing. It saved me once on a head I had bought assembled but one set of collets was not seated.

luck

kkk