I am finding it very difficult to get the two very small valve keepers in position
to release the valve spring compressor to seat keepers after replacing valve in cylinder head . IS THERE A TRICK TO DOING THIS ? 2001 jAGUAR xk8 4.0

 

A non-magnetic hemostat, a plastic or stainless steel probe, a steady hand, maybe a dab of grease and a lot of patience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good luck, been there!!

bob gauff

 

Are you using a hand held compressor? the task will be very difficult. As motorcarman said a little bit of grease and alot of patience. If you knocking the keepers off because the retainer moves crooked, i would try and find a proper screw adapter for the valve face (i have seen some rubber ones that work well) to ensure the tool stays parallel to the valve stem. Personally i would not attempt instillation with a hand help compressor; i worked some time in a machine shop and we had a pneumatic cylinder head bench making instillation a breeze. if you have a automotive machine shop nearby i doubt they would charge you much of anything just for the instillation.