Redneck valve removal

[olds45512]

So I understand not everybody has all the specialty tools required to work on these cubs so I thought I'd share a technique I've used several times to remove valves from a Kohler single cylinder. I start by turning the engine until the valve I want to remove is at its highest point, I then take two paint stick and put them under the spring and roll the motor until the lifter is down as far as it will go. Now the full weight of the spring is being held by the paint sticks and you can hit the top of the valve with your hand and it will go down and the keepers will fall out, once the keepers are off you can pull the valve and do whatever work you need to do. For reassembly i use a small flat head screwdriver with the tip coated in grease so the keeper will stick to it, I also put some grease on the keeper so it sticks to the valve. The most important part is to make sure the keepers are properly in the notch on the valve stem, once your satisfied everything is good simply turn the engine until the lifter touches the valve and then pull the sticks out. And before somebody (probably j mech ) points out that I could rent a valve tool from a parts store I will go ahead and say that I already know that and I don't really feel like driving there to get it.