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Valve Spring Compressor

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Jon B., Dec 8, 2023.

  1. Dec 8, 2023
    Jon B.

    Jon B. Retired three times; still working.

    SW Minnesota
    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2022
    Messages:
    374
    Greetings, fellow Jeepers!

    The 5.3 is getting new valve springs to match up with the new camshaft. I’ve borrowed a C-clamp style compressor from a friend but it flexes so much that the ‘cup’ for the vale head tries to make a groove in the valve.

    The local FLAPS has a small thing that grips the spring, with a screw that compresses it. Do these things work well? I’ve not used that style.

    Jon B.
     
  2. Dec 8, 2023
    Mr_Vaughan

    Mr_Vaughan Member

    Central City, NE
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2023
    Messages:
    59
    i had one of those, bought it from harbor freight. always fought the stupid thing because it wouldnt hold the spring correctly. it broke after doing a few heads and i wasn't particularly sad to see it go.
     
  3. Dec 9, 2023
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,155
    Hit the retainer with a hammer and try to compress the spring again.

    If you can find one for a decent price, a pneumatic valve spring compressor is pretty handy to have. I bought this one used a few years ago and it's fairly old but it's still going strong after seeing a few thousand springs.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Dec 9, 2023
    Jon B.

    Jon B. Retired three times; still working.

    SW Minnesota
    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2022
    Messages:
    374
    vtxtasy and Jw60 like this.
  5. Dec 9, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    6,101
    I bought one of these when I was working on my Mustang with a .640 lift solid roller cam: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-906788

    [​IMG]

    My cheap older compressor couldn't deal with the heavy valve springs. The Summit one worked great.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2023
    vtxtasy and dnb71R2 like this.
  6. Dec 9, 2023
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    5,353
    I used one of the screw types for years, it was an American made one, worked well. No experience with harbor freight version. I made one for the dauntless that works with rocker shaft.
     
    vtxtasy likes this.
  7. Dec 9, 2023
    Jon B.

    Jon B. Retired three times; still working.

    SW Minnesota
    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2022
    Messages:
    374
    The borrowed one is an old Craftsman with a rack & pinion and a ratcheting latch. The “C” is huge - much larger than is necessary - which allows a lot of flex. If it was mine, I’d weld a bar across it to limit the bend but since it’s not…

    It probably worked well for old tractor valves but hasn’t the stiffness required for modern engines.

    Jon B.
     
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