Using ROPE in a valve spring swap?

[toofun]

I am in the process as many of you already know of swapping back in the second spring in the valve springs on my motor. The motor is in the car. I have seen many people use compressed air but I dont think my compressor will keep up with it and dont want to chance the valve falling into the cylinder.



I have heard of a method in which someone said to take a 3/8 inch rope about three feet long and feed it into the spark plug hole tying a knot in the end so you dont lose it. Then bring up the piston and the rope will push up against the valves allowing you to use the spring compressor to compress the spring while the valve stays closed. Has anyone done this? How does it work? I am assuming you want to make sure the piston is on the way up before feeding the rope in since I cant see how you can feed it in with the piston at TDC. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mark
TOOFUN

[andrewb70]

Been there, done that...Your better off getting the proper air fitting and doing it right.

Andrew

[toofun]

But what if someone doesnt have a compressor strong enough or no compressor at all? What is the pros and cons of using the rope method?

Mark

[EFI69Cam]

But what if someone doesnt have a compressor strong enough or no compressor at all? What is the pros and cons of using the rope method?

Mark

If you watch what the cam is doing and make sure the piston is up, the valve cannot fall past the guide.
Start at 1 TDC both valves closed, then follow the firing order.

[deadcarny]

I used a bungee cord with the metal cut off when I did mine on my 95Z28 since there was not much space to get in with air fittings....Worked great!

EFI69Cam is right that it cannot fall past the guide with the piston up, but you need something holding the valve all the way up (like air or rope) so you can get the retainers/locks in place.