Valve Spring Compressor Question

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 2:48 pm

I bought the smallest valve spring compressor napa had and it is not even close to fitting inside the limited working area around the top of the valve stem. Does anybody have a suggestion? Maybe a specific model you use?
Thanks
Steve

Spokes · Post by **Spokes** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:23 pm

I had to make my own and it fits into a full size drill press. If you have a full size drill press I can send it to you as a tool loaner.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:41 pm

Here's a thread from a few years back where we compared our valve spring compressor war stories - scroll to the middle of the page:

http://www.fourwheelforum.com/showthread.php?t=1862

Larzfromarz referred to a post on the VJMC site, and included a picture, about fabricating a small valve spring compressor. Below is a page from that site that may help, although it's different from what Larz referred to:

http://vjmog.com/ftopict-8611-compressor.html

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 8:43 pm

Thank You for the loan offer Spokes and Thank You BTL for the link to the pic of Spokes Customized Socket.
Now that I have the concept I think I'll make one.
I have an ancient drill press and a five gallon bucket of odd ball sockets to experiment on. So, here I go, down to the shop!

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:55 pm

Wow, holding the drill press lever down with one hand, holding the penlight between my teeth and trying to fiddle the retainers into position with needlenose pliers, (maybe tweezers will work better), requires a bit of dexterity. Half my tools are magnetized which does not help. I finally added a bit of axle grease to make things a bit stickier. One Valve assembly installed, three to go.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:18 am

Steverinomeiste wrote:Wow, holding the drill press lever down with one hand, holding the penlight between my teeth and trying to fiddle the retainers into position with needlenose pliers, (maybe tweezers will work better), requires a bit of dexterity.

Remember ... it builds character.

Nige1100s · Post by **Nige1100s** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:38 am

I use a short section of handle bar tube with a slot cut away down one side to put between a car sized compressor and the valve collar. After ages fiddling with magnetic screwdrivers I gave up and used aluminium tweezers to place the collets.

grubsie · Post by **grubsie** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:25 pm

Every time I have worked on these valves I ask myself how they did it production? This step of the process must have been a bottleneck in the assembly line.

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 6:11 pm

Think I've got it figured out. Tiny Magnetic probe for retrieving the keepers when dropped inside the head assembly, non magnetic tiny pick for adjusting placement of the keepers on the stem. And, tweezers (as recommended by forum members) for rough placement of the keepers. I've had the valves in and out a couple times now (relaping) and with these tiny tools the process only takes a few minutes.