Tools & Fabrication - Best Valvespring Compressing tool?

I'm going to have to buy a new one because the one I have it to big to work under the cowl of these 4th gens....so which one are you guys using??? which works the best??? I've seen one that you turn a nut down to compress the spring and another that you use a ratchet to turn and compress the spring...which is better?

The Crane tool, also so by Vinci High Performance is the best one out there. Does two springs at once and is an exact fit so doing the back cylinders is not as hard.

I use the crane tool myself, makes it much easier.

Crane tool. Worked awsome. Especially on the back cylinders!! Used it on my GTO and Z.

I've always used Buxton Engieerings spring checkers. They cost more and are a piece of art. Here is the link: http://www.buxtonengineering.com/on_head_valve_spring_tester.php

I've used "Tim's tool" for two swaps. Works great, and is inexpensive.

+1 for the crane tool awsome !!!

+10000 for the crane , its the shit

Whatever you do, don't get one of the cheap ones with the two claws and the knob on the top. It will scratch the spring surface and could cause spring failure down the road on a high performance surface treated valve spring.

Crane cams tool worked great for me.

Where can you buy the crane tool now?

I can't seem to find the LSX one on Summit anymore...

i got mine from jegs

I've used "Tim's tool" for two swaps. Works great, and is inexpensive.

i agree.........:D

Whatever you do, don't get one of the cheap ones with the two claws and the knob on the top. It will scratch the spring surface and could cause spring failure down the road on a high performance surface treated valve spring.

x 1 million

I'll throw in another vote for the Crane tool. It's an absolute breeze to swap springs. I got mine from SDPC ------>

Crane tool hands down :)

I'm having a hard time finding the crane tool anywhere, where did you guys buy yours? right from crane?

I had a hard time finding a crane tool in stock. I ended up paying a little extra and buying it from jegs

just get tims tool (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabrication/317675-tims-valve-spring-tool-now-available.html)it worked mint for me. His hose is a bit hard thow I got it but ended up using the hose off my compression tester.

I'm having a hard time finding the crane tool anywhere, where did you guys buy yours? right from crane?

SpeedInc has revived this tool :)

good to see someone still has some of these. Since Crane went out of business, summit and jegs no longer has any.

I have started making my own but with a bigger radius to clear the double springs. My Crane tool would bind on those sometimes.

I am surprised when I see people recommending the Crane valve spring compressor. I did a few spring swaps with it and found it to probably be the worst spring compressor I have used.

Since the Crane tool, I have purchased a few other valve spring compressors. Ironically, the one I found to work best (by a wide margin) is the ~$15 dollar "KD 912" one. Super fast, easy to use, and the tool holds down the spring by itself (man power not required).

KD 912 - Modifications

Cut the tool in half, right at the upper hole, and then the tool then fits under the cowl with ease.

The bottom hole in the KD tool is actually a smidge too big for a rocker arm bolt. Use an appropriately sized (and strong) washer to remedy this.

When using the KD tool, a portion of the KD tool touches the cylinder head edge (the edge that the valve covers seal to). Place a piece of cardboard, rag, whatever...between this portion of the KD tool and the cylinder head edge, to ensure no markings occur.