OK, so I removed the upper plenum today. This is the first time I've actually turned a wrench on this thing. (I hope this whole procedure works otherwise I'll have a $2500.00 Mitsubishi boat anchor...oi!!). It wasn't SOOO bad. I'll be pulling the valve covers (hopefully) next weekend. So, you used a piece of PVC pipe to help guide the rope into the cylinder? I'm not sure I completely understand =:o. I've only got a small pancake compressor and I don't trust it to hold the valves in place for a prolonged period so I'm going to attempt the rope trick....