Valve spring compressor (heads off engine)?
Valve spring compressor (heads off engine)? What is the best valve spring compressor to use in the garage with the heads off of the engine? I like Tim's tool; but can I get a traditional valve spring compressor at Advance or Auto Zone and be confident it will not hurt the threads in the heads??
Thanks.
Thanks.
I bought one of these from Jeg's (Proform compressor):
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=22461
I am very disappointed with it. It doesn't want to work very well on my LT1 heads. You'd think a compressor that 'heavy' could handle a Crane 99893 double valvespring, but it doesn't very well. Also, the area it has to remove the keepers isn't very wide - so, you don't have much room to grab the keepers at all (and you end up not being able to get them off half the time).
Thumbs down on that one.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=22461
I am very disappointed with it. It doesn't want to work very well on my LT1 heads. You'd think a compressor that 'heavy' could handle a Crane 99893 double valvespring, but it doesn't very well. Also, the area it has to remove the keepers isn't very wide - so, you don't have much room to grab the keepers at all (and you end up not being able to get them off half the time).
Thumbs down on that one.
Originally Posted by cbrich
Since the heads are off use the regular c-frame valve compressor. Similar to this, there is even a air powered one.
Thanks Camaroholic for showing me one to stay away from!
There's a slightly different model than that AmPro that has a removable fingerwheel where you can fit a 5/8" socket wrench on there (I have one, but I don't remember if it's a KD Tools, Snap On, or OTC, or a rebrand from one to the other). I'd look for one that takes the 5/8" socket wrench. Saves yer fingers, socket wrench makes it a snap to compress / decompress. 
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...tnumber=T70032
Here is the T70032 as listed on their site. I wonder if the design changed?
Here is the T70032 as listed on their site. I wonder if the design changed?
Found it. This is the "other one" I have. It's a nice piece. Works well, even with the heads on the car. Note that the finger handle is completely removable and just leaves a bolt head where a 5/8" ratchet can go.
http://www.kd-tools.com/3271.htm
http://www.kd-tools.com/3271.htm
As far as the big c-clamp compressors go... They may be awkward and you may have to find several suited to your applications but the different in time it takes is unreal... If you work for flatrate like I do, your constantly thinking about ways to make things more efficient "quicker"... whatever. The little finger gear puller arm ones are fine, I've got a set myself, but save yourself some trouble and just get a nice set of c-clamps
