First the guideplates i got werent going to work so i had to stop and wait an hour for the speed shop to open so i could go get new ones, Then the tool my buddy loaned me does not fit towards the back of the motor under the cowl so i had to come up with something. Lost one of my valve locks and i hope it didnt fall into the block. I started all this at 8am and just stopped and with all the problems im having i only got one side done(have to wait for the other tool i ordered to fit in the tighter passenger side) on top of all this it sounds like one or two of the valves is now hitting the pistons. but im tired and aggrevated so i put it back together and parked it untill my other tool comes in. I dont know how the hell some of you guys got youres all done in three hours because this is friggin nutz.

 

you need a wrench and nothing more to install rockers it should be a 1 hr job

rereading it it sounds like you are swapping springs too?
Id be damn sure to find that lock

 

valve locks? you mean the rocker poly locks? I would find that first. that should be number 1 priority.

something from your post makes me think that you are changing valve springs also, cause you mention a tool (spring compressor) and the valve locks.....

 

im swapping the rockers,studs,adding guide plates,swaping pusrods,new valve guide seals,etc........yeah i looked everywhere i could as much as i could with mirrors but its no where to be found so either it fell in or its wedged in somewhere. times like this i miss my 3rd gen since it had more room to work with,of course it was carbed and gutted of all emissions crap.

 

no i lost one of the valve stem locks, not one of the poly locks

 

I did not even think about touching my springs without a magnetized tool for the locks. No way I could have done it without one.

 

I used one of those too, i lost one trying to put it in, damn spring got loose from the compressor and shot it out to where i have no idea.