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Tips

General Tech Valve spring compressors

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Boggsy64

Boggsy64

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
Just passing on an experience. Bought the small "universal valve spring compressor" from the local supply store. I have found this thing listed on most online stores as well. This "universal" compressor does not work. After several hours of struggles to keep it on the spring, then slipping off, it would only compress the top of the spring (no success). Bought the larger "OTC 4572" compressor off of Amazon and it works perfect. The clamp holds the valve and compresses the spring, an easy half hour and all the valve springs removed. Don't waste your money on the "universal" bit.
 

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I used that little one on an MGA head. Needed to put a socket on the bottom of the head under the valve for both removal and installation. On removal, once springs were compressed, I had to wack the valve assembly with a mallet to loosen the valve retainers from the top collar, but then everything came apart OK. On installation, wasn't too bad, although I had to be careful how I set the compressor on the springs. I think the little spring compressor is designed for single spring set-up, not the double springs we have on the B type engine. And you have to get the compressor as low as possible on the springs, which I sometimes did by twisting the springs down on the compressor and then putting in position over the valve, but it is doable - but if I was doing this more than once or twice, I would look for a better product.
 
I could sometimes get it to compress and then (especially when tapping to get the collets loose) it would let go. I even put a large hose clamp around it to try and hold it onto the spring. In any event it was so much more enjoyable to have the "right" tool. The large on cost $45 and the Universal about $15. Without the 4 or more hours and hassle.. the $45 dollars was well spent.
 
I've the K-D version of the parallel arm "clamp" in the first photo, here.

A ~light~ tap with a small hammer using a suitably sized socket on the collet of each valve (using a wood "buck" in the chamber under the valve head) before using the compressing tool will usually free up the collet and keeper.
 
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