To do a valve job, you will need to pull the cam.
Because of the overhead cam design, the cam has to be pulled in order to get the valves out. I have read somewhere that it is possible to get the cam out without the special tool, but I wouldn't try it as it would increase the possibility of damaging the cam/lifters. Maybe somebody here knows a trick how to do it without the tool and can share it with the rest of us. I think the tool would be easy to build with nothing more than a drill press and a mill. There is a lever than use used to push down on the valve spring retainers so that the retainer locks can be removed. That shouldn't take a lot to make either with the proper tools. Here is a pic:
vegatool.jpg
There one is made by Lisle and the part number is 45250. I have seen one other version in a pic.
The solid bar (the one with five bolts on it) mounts to the head. Each of the "feelers" (not sure what else to call them) are bolted on and each one covers the corner of two of the lifters. Tighten the bolt down until the lifters are far enough down so the cam will slide out. Once the cam is out, remove the feelers, then the lifters just pop out. The lever bar is then screwed into holes where the feelers were and then just position the fork over each spring retainer, push down, and use a magnetic pick up to remove the retainer locks. After that, remove the springs and the valve will drop right out. With this tool, I can do all of this in about 30 minutes, without it, I would definitely break something.
If you would like one of these, let me know and I will keep a look out for one. I find them every once in a while on craigslist or ebay.
Ken
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