K Series valve spring problem

[pfrederi 18,379]

Been tearing down a K301.  Went to remove the valves. The big C Spring compressor lets you get the keepers off and the valve out but not the springs.  Used both the small compressors and it was a struggle.  Had to fully compress the exhaust spring to get it out from between the guide and the tappet. The intake wouldn't clear to come out.  Even screwed the adjuster on the tappet all the way down still had to pry and force things. Then as it finally came out it flew out of the compressor shattered a fluorescent tube over the bench and scared the cr**p out of me. 

 

Am I missing something here???  The top of the valve guides are flush with the block opening.  The exhaust and intake springs are identical and neither has a rotator which according to parts manual is correct for this engne spec##.

 

When I go to reassemble I am planing on putting the springs in  before the tappets and cam shaft.  Then later use the big C clamp to install the valves.  But that is not the sequence in the reassembly part of the Kohler manual.

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2020 by pfrederi

[stevasaurus 23,106]

I wonder if you could pull the tappets, place the spring in and hold the spring up to replace the tappets.??   

[953 nut 58,202]

5 hours ago, pfrederi said:

When I go to reassemble I am planing on putting the springs in  before the tappets and cam shaft. 

           I have done that with good results.  In fact I go ahead and install the valves and keepers before the tappets and camshaft. Since the tappets are adjustable there is no reason no to.

[Howie 899]

I just use a screw driver and lift the spring up and pull that end out over the tappet and then pull

the spring out. You can not compress it enough to get it out the other way with the tappets in

there. If you are just doing a valve job not really practical to tear the whole thing down.