My Valve Spring Compressor - Heads On/In Car
I ended up needing to install fresh valve springs in my truck. All I had was a cheapy screw type compressor, with the fingers that grab the springs. They are not too horrible, for what they cost, but are completely useless when it comes to INSTALLING double springs. That left me looking for a lever type compressor, since the LSM price range is up there, and $300 for something I might use very rarely is hard to justify.
I started looking at the almost identical offerings from Comp, Powerhouse, and Proform...
Those all left me underwhelmed. All three are a very simple fixed handle tool that looks like it probably costs them all of $10 to make. Yet, prices start about $100, on up to nearly $200!
Oh, and you need two, if you want to work on big AND small blocks! Because, why SHOULD they drill a couple of extra holes? Or design anything that will work on two shaft mount rocker engines that have the same shaft diameter?
That would make too much sense, and not enough dollars, I guess?
Anyway, as usual when I need a good answer on something, I came here, and searched around. I ran across several great home made units! I took some ideas from each one, added a few touches, a friend added a few, and we made it, yesterday. This morning, I used it to swap out all my springs for new double springs. It went great, so I wanted to say THANKS to the guys that inspired me when they made thiers, and share what I came up with, for the next guy that has to change springs with the engine in the car.
A note- if you copy this idea, make sure to use a socket that will accept an extension from either end. I like the spark plug socket, because of this, and you can also use a wrench on it, if needed. The main features I tried to incorporate are all ways to keep you out of trouble when dodging obstacles in the car, like the brake master cylinder, booster, and anything mounted on the firewall.
YES! It works on BOTH big and small block engines!
You might not think it's pretty, but after using it - I think it's beautiful!
Function, not fashion!
Good luck!
Here's something you couldn't do with the overpriced crap units from Comp, Powerhouse, or Proform!
Their tools range from $100 to almost $200, and would not let you work around the master cylinder or booster, like this!
And when you get up against the firewall, on the other side, simply insert your extension through the front of the spark plug socket.
Note that the groove and socket are mounted towards the spring side of the shaft axis, I think this helps give leverage. The most helpful, is being able to ratchet the handle to nearly any position. I had no trouble operating and holding the the spring compressed with one hand, while installing the locks with the other. It's also ambidextrous, so you can swap the handle to use whichever arm is more comfortable.
I ended up needing to install fresh valve springs in my truck. All I had was a cheapy screw type compressor, with the fingers that grab the springs. They are not too horrible, for what they cost, but are completely useless when it comes to INSTALLING double springs. That left me looking for a lever type compressor, since the LSM price range is up there, and $300 for something I might use very rarely is hard to justify.
I started looking at the almost identical offerings from Comp, Powerhouse, and Proform...
Those all left me underwhelmed. All three are a very simple fixed handle tool that looks like it probably costs them all of $10 to make. Yet, prices start about $100, on up to nearly $200!
Oh, and you need two, if you want to work on big AND small blocks! Because, why SHOULD they drill a couple of extra holes? Or design anything that will work on two shaft mount rocker engines that have the same shaft diameter?
That would make too much sense, and not enough dollars, I guess?
Anyway, as usual when I need a good answer on something, I came here, and searched around. I ran across several great home made units! I took some ideas from each one, added a few touches, a friend added a few, and we made it, yesterday. This morning, I used it to swap out all my springs for new double springs. It went great, so I wanted to say THANKS to the guys that inspired me when they made thiers, and share what I came up with, for the next guy that has to change springs with the engine in the car.
A note- if you copy this idea, make sure to use a socket that will accept an extension from either end. I like the spark plug socket, because of this, and you can also use a wrench on it, if needed. The main features I tried to incorporate are all ways to keep you out of trouble when dodging obstacles in the car, like the brake master cylinder, booster, and anything mounted on the firewall.
YES! It works on BOTH big and small block engines!
You might not think it's pretty, but after using it - I think it's beautiful!
Function, not fashion!
Good luck!
Here's something you couldn't do with the overpriced crap units from Comp, Powerhouse, or Proform!
Their tools range from $100 to almost $200, and would not let you work around the master cylinder or booster, like this!
And when you get up against the firewall, on the other side, simply insert your extension through the front of the spark plug socket.
Note that the groove and socket are mounted towards the spring side of the shaft axis, I think this helps give leverage. The most helpful, is being able to ratchet the handle to nearly any position. I had no trouble operating and holding the the spring compressed with one hand, while installing the locks with the other. It's also ambidextrous, so you can swap the handle to use whichever arm is more comfortable.