Still removing valves...

Hey all;
I'm still having problems removing the valves from my new head. I even bought one of those valve removers... and it doesnt work for a DOHC, on SOHC where the valves are staright up. I'm getting so pissed at this. I got 4 valves out using a C-Clamp and some little piece of metal that I found. However, it's crushed now. I posted back and someone showed a tutorial on how to weld a open socket onto a C-Clamp... I dont have a welder. Is there anyother way to get at those weird angles and get them out?

That's what I had to use to get the valves out on my 420a...the cut socket and a modified spring compressor. I'm not sure what else ya could do man, just keep trying. It took me forever to do it, and that was with the help of my auto teacher.

I've got something you could use, similar to the socket but slighly different. You live in chicago right?

OK... I relaxed, and I took my time and got them all off. I took a piece of metal strip, I think it came with my CAI, and bent it into a square, slightly smaller than the size of the spring. I kept like a "handle" on it too. I took the C-Clamp and pressed down where the handle meets the squarish part and tightened it. Then took out the little pieces then. So I finally got them all out.

Next question... in order to clean and port it, do I have to take out the guides/seals? They look like they dont come out and I don't want to break them. Or, can I do the work with them still in it.

And FYI, I'm doing the port job myself. Should be fun!

I didn't remove anything when I ported mine, not even the valves. Just make sure you stick a paper towel in the ports before you port them to prevent metal shavings to get everywhere.

I'm not going to do any damage to the guides when washing it, am i?

What should I use to wash it. Its got a lot of oil on it.

You have a compressor right? for porting? Just stick the towels in their so it doesn't get messy. Man i just copied someome.

Well what all are you washing and with what? I'm not sure if it'll hurt them or what it'll do, I would probably go ask a machine shop and see what they think.

That's what I'm asking... what should I wash it with? Water? There's ALOT of build up... heads got over 100,000 miles.

I don't even know washing it with water would get all that shit off. If I was you I'd just bite the bullet and take it in and have it at least professionally cleaned to make sure that it's perfectly clean when you get it back.

WHy don't you just replace the valve stem seals? If they have 100k i'd replace the while you have the head off.
I use this stuff the comes in a black can and says "steam" in silver letters up the side. I works wonders especially on internal parts.

I talked with a friend who knows alot of DSM guys around the area. One of them ownes a detailing shop. He said to use Gasket Remover and hot water and let it soak in there for a good hour or so. Then take it to a DIY car wash with the pressure washer and blast all that shit out. He said it'll work.

The stuff i said works wonders, and instantly. Plus no trip to the car wash.

Well next time I get some head work done, screw the machine shop, I'll just clean the sucker myself. I wasn't sure if water would be such a good idea but now that I think about it, what is there to hurt? Nothing really. Let me know how that works out for you david.

When I ported my head, I left the valve guides in but took everything else out just for the fact that I took 3/8" off the bottom of each port. Then I just took it to my buddys machine shop and had him hot tank it. Took 10 mins and it was cleaner than you could have gotten it anywhere else. Normally it cost about $20 but I got it done for free. :)

Cool.

I bought some degreaser today. I couldnt find any gasket remover. IDK why. Anywho, I sprayed and let it soak in the whole head. I took a big bucket of burning hot water with dish soap in it. I then let the head soak in for about 15 minutes. Not enough. I took it out and cleaned with a sponge and a scraper. The outside is spotless. The inside is broken up, but I need something to get in there an clean it well. I'll check around to see if shops have a tank.

Update on the last post.

I went outside just a minute ago bc the head was drying off in the sun. the outside is shinny as hell. The runners still have build up in them, but alot of it is off. The inside of the head still had a lot of oil. I took a rag tho and jsut started rubbing off the oil. It was just crumbling off. So, I'm going to dip it again with boiling water this weekend with dishsoap, then take it to a DIY car wash and blast it all out then. Should be done then.