1983 KZ550 - Intake valve issue with Split keepers

I am in the process of changing out the head gasket after an overheat situation. Removed all the old gasket material from the head and block and installed a new three layer metal head gasket from Partzilla. Checked each valve lifter and shim for proper shim seating after having had the head upside down for cleaning the gasket material off. Here are photos of the top of the intake valves for carbs 1 &2. As you can see, in each photo one of the split keepers is elevated above the valve stem and one is too low. All 6 other intake and exhaust valves have the split keepers seated correctly that allows the shim to seat properly. For these two, the shim will not seat correctly because one split keeper is higher than the valve stem and therefore not allowing the shim to seat correctly. I do not have a valve spring compressor tool. Is there any way to compress the valve springs without one and reseat the split keepers correctly for these two valves?

Problem is that your collect is not seated. A G clamp, magnetic screwdriver and bit of pipe with a split cut in it works fine in these for removing valves.

Grind in the valves lightly and replace the oil seals.

That would have gone bang very soon so good you spotted it.

I’ve read where some folks have modified an inexpensive socket by grinding an access hole in it. They then used a clamp to press the modified socket against the spring retainer to compress the spring. They could then manipulate the split keepers through the hole they had cut in the socket. Ed

You can make a valve spring compressor from a large $8 C-clamp from harbor freight and a modified PVC pipe fitting from the hardware store. You should remove the spring and keepers to clean out any crud, plus you should be changing the valve stem seals anyway.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationYou can also get cheapo valve spring compressors for $15-$20 on Ebay & Amazon, essentially the same thing as the c clam w/PVC method.



www.amazon.com/8milelake-Clamps-Spring-C...ve+spring+compressor

Dodged a bullet on that one. Overheating could have been caused by a open valve. You need to inspect all of them and put in Viton valve seals. Bad valve seals can cause overheating as well. You have it off so might as well do it and take pics.
Steve