Rep Power: 193

So I decided that while the head was off I would replace the valve stem seals. Tried to find the C-clamp style spring compressor that was shown in one of the DIY videos. No one had one for rent. They only had the small screw type for overhead valves. Only place I could find the C-clamp style was at Napa and they wanted $93 for it, and had to order it.
So I figured there had to be a way to do it with the tools that I had at home.

So what I did was to pull the spark plugs out, and then I put the spark plug socket under the valves. (A smaller socket probably would have worked better as the head didn't lay flat on the bench) This allowed me to press on the springs and keep the valves in place.
I then took a 22mm deep socket and an antenna magnet, put the magnet through the opening in the top of the socket and put it flush with the large opening. I then placed the socket on top of the valve spring with the magnet touching the tip of the valve stem. I just pushed the spring in using the socket and when it was far enough down the magnet would pop out the little valve keepers. Then I released the pressure and removed the spring.
Using hose pliers I removed the stem seals (this was probably the hardest part). Then using a small deep socket that fit right over the tip of the new seal, I just pressed them into place. Didn't take much pressure.
I then put the spring, spring retainer and keepers back in place. Then using a 7mm deep socket with a short extension and a thumb ratchet (just to keep the extension from jamming into my hand) I pressed the spring with my fingers just enough to get the valve stem between the keepers. Then I placed the socket over the retainer and pressing the spring with both the socket and my fingers the socket would press on the keepers at the same time. You would hear a click when the keepers popped into place.
Got to the point where I could do a spring from beginning to end in about 3 minutes. Of course I got moving a little too fast and forgot to put on 4 of the new seals, so had to go back an redo those.
I just did 2 springs per cylinder, then moved the spark plug socket to the next set of valves. Did one side, then flipped the head around and did the other side. Took about an hour total trying different ways to make things work. Took several tries to figure out the small socket over the keepers. They were a real pain at the beginning.

My fingers hurt like hell for a couple hours and it probably wasn't the easiest way, but it saved me $90 by not having to purchase a tool I probably wouldn't use but every few years.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone who may need to do this with out the proper spring compressor.