85 4runner - Broken Valve Spring

I have a broken valve spring, does anyone know if it is possible to change it without pulling the head??

Yes - There are a number of methods that you can use. Put the piston at top dead center on the compression stroke and remove the spark plug. Push small diameter nylon rope into the spark plug hole untill no more will go in, leaving some of the rope outside so that you can pull it out when you're done. The valve should be held in place by the rope if you have pushed it in tightly enough.

It is best if you remove the rope and replace the spark plug afterward.... :)

Thanks for the advice I will try that. One other problem though. How do you get the valve spring off with the rocker arms there. I really dont want to tear everything down to the timing chain to remove the rocker arm assembly.

How do you get the valve spring off with the rocker arms there. I really dont want to tear everything down to the timing chain to remove the rocker arm assembly.

I may be wrong, but I think that all you have to remove is the head cover to remove the rocker arm assembly.

Thats true but to remove the rocker arm assembly I think I have to remove the timing chain sprocket. I may get luck enough to just loosen the rocker arm assembly to slide the rocker arm for this valve to the side. Hopefully I can give it a try this weekend.

Good luck

ok ... so im an idiot.

I could have sworn that the rocker arm assembly was attached to the timing chain gear. boy was i wrong.... thanks for all the help everyone.


One more thing though... Im now looking at rebuilding the engine, I would like to get a bunch more power without sigificantly sacrificing gas mileage or needing to use a higher octane fuel.

http://www.toysport.com/Technical%20Information/22r_tech_notes.htm
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/EngineMods/index.shtml
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/camshaft/
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/cam_degreeing/