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I plan to swap valvesprings soon although I'm undecided on style. So far as specialty tools for the task, I only have a height micrometer. It will be done with the motor in the car without taking off the front cover. What other specialty tools and accessories will make this whole task easier? I have a friend with a compressor so we can use that if it's easier than the TDC method.
What removal tool works best to access all the springs if I don't want to fabricate anything? Here are a few I found.
What else will I need besides what comes in the spring kit to properly set them up (height to within .060" of coil bind, etc)... a pack of shims (sizes?)?
Last edited by JimMueller; 02-17-2016 at 11:17 PM.
That's the same one I have. It's really easy to use, adjustable for different LS heads, and seems pretty durable. Even with the heads off the car, I'm probably going to use it over the C-clamp style spring compressors.
Is it easy to access the back springs under the cowl with the Comp tool? What quantity of shims should I order and in what thicknesses? Will the Comp valve spring micrometer (I have the silver one bought years ago) be compatible with duals, beehive & conical springs?
Is it easy to access the back springs under the cowl with the Comp tool? What quantity of shims should I order and in what thicknesses? Will the Comp valve spring micrometer (I have the silver one bought years ago) be compatible with duals, beehive & conical springs?
Yeah, even under the cowl it's really easy to access.
Shim stack is going to depend on the springs you use, and their installed and coilbind height. There should be kits available with different thicknesses that aren't really that expensive. Not sure if any sponsors have that online but if you call, they may be able to add it to your order with the spring kit.
The older installed height mics could work. The retainer usually sits in a step at the top which throws off the measurement, but in the past I've measured the depth of that step with a dial caliper and added it to my installed height measurement and it comes out pretty close. For the beehives and conicals, there are small OD installed height mics that would be ideals. PAC makes a good one.
I got the same Lingenfelter spring compressor from Summit Racing.
I had a version of that one from Thunder Racing when they were still around. Hated it. You have one had tied up holding the ratchet to compress the spring and then have only your one free hand to remove or install the locks. After two spring swaps, the 3/8” drive hole started to round out.
My go to for swapping springs in the car is still the Comp Cams tool. It compresses both springs at once, leaves both hands freed up to remove and install the locks, and you don’t need a lot of room to use it either.
I do like that design and over half the cost of the LSM SC-167. Does it work just as well when dealing with high spring pressures also?
I’ve only used it on typical dual spring LS kit with 400-470lbs open but I don’t see a couple hundred more pounds of force being a problem. It’s pretty solid.
02-17-2016, 11:10 PM
Best tool to R&R LS3 valve springs on the car? 
