So whats the secret to installing the keepers, I can get one in and the other one wont go in all the way, it goes in crooked. Do I need to compress the spring more?

 

Which spring compressor are you using. I used a Proform one to change my springs(did not remove heads from car) and it was a bitch to get the spring to align, so the keepers would go in just right.

I can't recommend it to you, but my solution was to use my long angled needle nose pliers to get some leverage aginst the upper side of the spring to keep it from getting so crooked. I also had to heavily modify my proform compressor to get to work on the two rear cylinders.

 

I'm using the screw down type, I got one done by pushing down on it, still having some problems getting them out on another one. I'll get em though.

 

try putting a washer or 2 with a 1/2 center hole over the spring retainer , then put the spring compressor on top of that....you need that spring to compress more....also try some assembly lube on the keepers to keep themfrom moving around once seated..

 

i used the screw type spring compressor, it was just some genaric cheap one for 15 bucks. If you tighten it down enough and put them in, they will be sloppy and hanging around inside, then just slowly unscrew it and they pop into place. I pretty much tightened the spring down as much as I could, using gloves to turn it easier, then after I put the spring on I would just slap those things in, and then put a wrench inbetween the compressor and rocker arm stud so that there was no movement when I loosened the screw and relieve the pressure. You could just hold the compressor while turning, for me it was painful on my back leaning over so much. If you use one of those leverage type compressors you'll spend all day trying to get them in, since you must use so much strength to hold it down and put them in, plus that kind of compressor doesn't work under the cowl area

 

I had to modify mine to work.
I don't understand how proform thinks that you can use their spring compressor to get the two rear cylinders without modifiying their tool. Not to mention their lever wasn't stout enough for my crane dual spring.

 

I learned that if you compress 4 of the coils instead of 3 it works so much better, and it'll compress more, the keepers almost basically fall out.