Valve Spring Compressor

[noexit]

So.

There's not a big gap around the valve springs, and I haven't been able to find a valve spring compressor that fits in there.

So I went to harbor freight and bought a C-clamp and got a castle nut and made my own valve spring compressor.

Good idea right?

It's not working out so well... I can't really get in the notches of the castle nut with the poker as I thought I would be able to.

Any suggestions for a better solution? Maybe a commercial product that will actually fit in there and give me the room I need to get the keepers in?

 

[cafe kid]

I thought Harbor Freight sold a cheap valve compressor? Not sure though.

 

[HerrDeacon]

There's not a big gap around the valve springs, and I haven't been able to find a valve spring compressor that fits in there.

Not sure I understand what you mean here. The compressor doesn't go down around the springs, it just pushes down on that circular top part.

I've seen people make their own using a C-clamp like you did, but use an old socket and cut a notch in it to allow you to remove the keepers.

This is the one I have and it works fine. The business end has two different sizes, one of which should fit your application.
http://www.princessauto.com/tools/auto-repair/auto-repair/8003725-valve-spring-compressor

 

[Owned]

So.

There's not a big gap around the valve springs, and I haven't been able to find a valve spring compressor that fits in there.

So I went to harbor freight and bought a C-clamp and got a castle nut and made my own valve spring compressor.

Good idea right?

It's not working out so well... I can't really get in the notches of the castle nut with the poker as I thought I would be able to.

Any suggestions for a better solution? Maybe a commercial product that will actually fit in there and give me the room I need to get the keepers in?

I pulled mine apart on the 400f just today. I went to Advance Auto and took advantage of their loaner tool program. They had a C shaped valve spring compressor. All worked fine. There was one valve that I had to place a thick large washer on to give me better access to the valve. The surrounding head area was interfering with the compressor. All came apart without any issues.

-Brad

 

[noexit]

Not sure I understand what you mean here. The compressor doesn't go down around the springs, it just pushes down on that circular top part.

I've seen people make their own using a C-clamp like you did, but use an old socket and cut a notch in it to allow you to remove the keepers.

This is the one I have and it works fine. The business end has two different sizes, one of which should fit your application.
http://www.princessauto.com/tools/auto-repair/auto-repair/8003725-valve-spring-compressor

The only two type that I've seen at shops around here are the overhead kind

and this style clamp kind, which doesn't get down into the narrow spaces in the head very well.

If I could find one like yours, I'd have no problem.

 

[crazypj]

The one's in your pictures are for automotive use and worthless for motorcyles.
Take a look at Mikes XS or eBay, probably be around $40.00 for a 'real' one (your going to need something to put it back together and there will probably be 'next project' )

PJ

 

[djelliott]

I've seen those at Sears too. They're in the $30 range I believe. I just borrowed a friends but will most likely pick one up for future use.