Rope or Air?

lotzafun · August 18, 2004

When raplacing valve springs is it best to use compressed air or the ole rope into the sparkplug hole trick. If it is rope, how long should the rope be to give yourself enough holding power in the cylinder? In the past I always used compressed air with an adapter, but do not want to take a chance of dropping a valve. Give your input on what is the best way to hold up the valves while the heads are still on the truck. Thanks.

lotzafun · August 20, 2004

Come on someone knows the answer. Don't hold me in suspense.

02denali · August 20, 2004

i have used compressed air twice at 100psi and had no problems what so ever.

Hecktorx · August 20, 2004

I've never even heard of using a rope, but I really don't see why it wouldn't work. I did it once and used air. Rope seems like it would be harder.

hercman · August 20, 2004

A soft cotton rope works great it. Lenght depends on the diameter of the rope. I use it only cause I don't have an air source and plus you don't have to worry about the air bleading off and losing your valve.

budhayes3 · August 21, 2004

I've always used compressed air, as long as your fittings are tight and you have a good compressor, you're golden. If you don't have access to a good compressor, you do what ya gotta do to git er done!

budhayes3 · August 21, 2004

Hey, could someone elaborate on the rope method? Sounds interesting.

lotzafun · August 21, 2004

I have never tryed the rope method, but this is what I am told. Remove the spark plug and bring the piston up on the compression stroke, but just below TDC. Feed in the rope through the plug hole onto the top of the piston, then finish bringing the piston up until it stops. Now you can remove the valve spring and the rope will hold the valve in place with no worry of dropping one. The only thing is, not one person was able to tell me what size rope, or how long it should be. So this is my guess. As long as it will fit through the plug hole with ease, and not so small in diameter that it takes all day to feed it in, nylon or cotton rope should do the trick. Any debris will burn up or pass out the exhaust. Like I said, I have not tryed this method myself, always used air in the past. So lets here from the people that have used the rope method, what are your experiences?

Mort · August 31, 2004

Try 1/4" - 5/16" cotton clothesline rope and it should work fine. You should be able to get it from a hardware store cheap. I would imagine 4 or 5 feet would be plenty.