Stumped doing valve seals... Remove collets, how?

[sreams]

This job is being done on a '71 300SEL 3.5. I have the special valve spring compressor that hooks onto the camshaft. I've removed the rockers, rocker springs, and shims. I've broken loose the collets from the spring retainers. I have a magnetic pickup tool ready to catch the collets. I just can't get the collets out (see attached image). I am not using compressed air in the cylinders, but am setting each cylinder to TDC, and can feel the valves bottoming out against the pistons, so they shouldn't drop into the cylinders. How do I get the darned collets out so that I can remove the valve springs and retainers? Thanks ahead for any help.

[Tomguy]

It's a lot easier on intakes than exhausts. You need to be able to move the spring retainer slightly off the center of the valve stem so you can yank the collet on that side out (use a small, thin-bladed screwdriver). Then you move it the other way toget the other collet out. On the intake valves, you dont need to do this because you can get the spring compressed further, as the retainer will keep sliding down that narrower-shafted valve stem.

[300SDog]

Another obstacle can be not using compressed air in the cylinders. Thus the valve stem tip sticks to the collar and nibs, riding part way down into the cylinder when the spring gets compressed. So instead of compressing the spring to release the nibs, what's happening is the valve is getting partly run through its cycle.

A little penetrating oil on the collars and nibs will help free them from sticking caused by oil varnish. Or try tapping the nibs to knock them loose. And is there a way you can *gently* grab the valve stem tip either magnetically or with pliers and pull it up?

DIY valve seals is difficult, painstaking work. I've done it once on 6 cyl 220Sb. And it took 2 weekends after demolishing a few seals trying to seat them with a screwdriver until i decided on using a wooden chopstick instead.

[sreams]

Thanks guys. I was able to do all of the intake seals on one side with the above advice. The seals I purchased were all black rubber, and seemed to pop on easily and securely without the need of a screwdriver or wooden chopstick. I'm still having trouble with removing the collets from the exhaust valves, but at least I've made some progress.

-Scott