first off this is the first flathead i have messed with, it's a 1949 ford coupe with a flathead 8 I have the valves all disassembled and out of the block.i have all new parts to go in valves, guides, springs, keepers ,ect. The book I have doesn't go into very much detail on the valves,it shows to assemble the valve parts and install them as a unit into the block. my concerns are how to get the valve guide down far enough to install the guide keeper clip once everything is put together as a unit. or should I just install the guides into the block and assemble the valves in the block, and where can i find ( buy, rent or borrow) the correct valve spring compressor to do so. my main issue is time i need to have the car running by the first of the month(june) so it can get some miles on it before my dad and I leave for the Power Tour
Boy are you cutting it short! Install as a unit into block, there is a pry bar like tool for doing that; the same one that is used for taking them out..
This picture on our website shows the pickle bar tool which is used to install the new valve assemblies. You fit the forked end through the coil of the valve spring and catch the groove in the valve guide. Levering the bar upward pulls the guide and valve down far enough to slip the horseshoe clip into its own groove in the guide. With the clip in place, remove the pickle bar tool and the valve assembly is secured in the motor. BE SURE To CHECK that the clip is tight and doesn't wiggle or come right out. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_valveremoval_tools-3.htm We stock the tool and it's available in our online store, but I somewhat doubt that you'd have it before next Tuesday at this point. Perhaps someone closer to you has one you could borrow. Good luck.
With the proper "fork" tool,grab the valve guide complete with the spring,valve, and proper retainers to hold everything in place and using plenty of lube on the valve guide where it fits in the block,pry upward on the fork tool pulling the valve guide down low enough to insert the horseshoe shaped keeper to hold the completed valve guide in its final resting place.After the horseshoe retainer is installed, pry the valve guide upward to seat the horseshoe in the recessed area and the horseshoe should all but disappear flush with the block and all that is visible is the small tab on the horseshoe that is visible after the pry bar is removed.NUF SED so Flatheads Forever!
Just be glad that you have stock size springs to get installed in short order. Shouldn't take much to fab up a fork pry bar to get the job done.
I used a standard C type spring compressor. I put the lifter, valve, spring, retainer, and guide in the hole. Put in the clip with the guide shoved down. Grab the retainer with the clamp, compress the spring and put in the keepers.
Two things...bar is easiest/best but with the straight stem valves you can assemble in the block...it's a little fidgety and you must have a towel in there in case you drop the keepers. You'd drive the guides and their rubbers down, put on the retainers, and tap them back up or pull up with a quarter inch bolt. I'd buy or borrow a bar.
I'm going to assume that you have adjustable lifters and can adjust the valves after everything is installed. Otherwise you have to set the valve clearance by grinding the tip of the valve in a valve grinder.
it already had adjustable lifters, I decided to try make my own bar from a 36" pry bar and a 1/8" body shim, I got it all welded up,but all my grinding wheels seem to have grown legs. I will buy some in the morning ands see how my homemade tool works on a different flathead note What is the best place for the water temp. probe/sensor, the heads or water pump? thanks again for all the help eveyone
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