help with installing inner valve springs

Got my new engine broken in, working on getting my inner springs on. New thing for me. Made an air fitting for plug hole. Brought piston up. When I connect the air there is definitely air leaking into engine. When I try to compress spring the valve goes down with it and blows air out of the carb. Doing something wrong? Any ideas? Thanks.

What kind of compression tool are you using? Something pivoting off the rocker arm stud I assume.
Are you sure the tool is pushing down evenly?

Quite often you need to give a slight "rap" on the retainer to free up the valve locks, you can hear the sound change when hitting the retainer after the locks "loosen", then it will work the way you want.

You can also use a piece of clothes line and stuff in the hole the bring the piston to tdc

Yes, a stud mount pry bar. I will try tapping the retainers down and pro ably will put some cotton cord in there. The thought of dropping a valve scares me a bit. Don't want to go backwards. Been a long go and I want to drive it. Thanks guys.

Make sure you have both intake and exhaust rockers off sometimes when you hook air up it will push the piston down and start opening the other valve. That might be the air blowing you hear

Thanks. Have all valve train removed. Locks are just seated pretty good. A little tapping and they come off. Air is holding the valves up fine. Now just waiting til tonight when I can go pick up my new moroso valve spring remover. Screws onto the stud, pull the lever down and locks. Both hands free to fiddle with locks. Best 50 bucks ever. The pry bar thing sucks. Harder than hell to get them down even and could see buggering up a bunch of threads on the studs.

Yup, you're gonna like it. It makes life so much easier.

the moroso tool is the way to go.

Worked great. From a pain in the ass to a piece of cake. Had to modify the angle a little, otherwise great tool. Thanks for the help. Should be driving my new 532 for the first time tomorrow. Happy dude.