300E 2.6 valve seal help please?

[300EE320]

I have a 1990 300E (160K miles) that is using about 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. There are no drips, so I know it's either valve stem seals or rings. The dry/wet compression test tells me it's bad seals. Also, the car passed the smog test marginally with the max allowable HC, so I know I need to get on top of this.

I have the mechanical abilities to change the seals myself, but I'm trying to get as prepared as possible before I dig in to it. I plan to modify an old spark plug to hook the air hose up and change seals one cylinder at a time (with the head on). I have the manual, but it does not do a very good job of illustrating the step-by-step process.

Do I need any special tools to compress the valve springs, or is a universal lever-type compressor adequate?

Can anyone provide some guidance and advice?

Thanks!
Dennis

[Benzmac]

You may use the old lever style, however, I have found that a screw type such as the Blue-Point works the best.

Be sure when you take off the bearing/caps, to catch the valve shims on top of the valve springs with a small magnet. Then put them in the correct order.

Also, before you hook up the air, you may want to rap on the top of the spring holder with a brass hammer to loosen it.

[jeffsr]

I don't know if you can get a spring compressor here at Parts Shop. You might ask. I know Performance Products sells one http://WWW.************************ , but it's a bit pricey. Depending on the universal you buy, it may or may not work. You may have to specify one that is compatible with overhead cam setups. The ones for pushrod setups usually don't work.

No matter what I do, my car won't
down shift at 60 mph and above.
Is there a technique?Pls.advise.

Sorry pushed the wrong button.

[300EE320]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll start shopping for the spring removal tool. I don't think it will be too bad of a job, but I was just looking for a sanity check. If it turned out that a bunch of special tools were required, or if a bunch of horror stories came up, then I'd have to take a harder look at it.

Thanks again!
Dennis

[sixto]

Pep Boys (in CA) sells a compressor to spark plug hole adapter for something like $7.

Sixto
91 300SE