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Thread: My homemade valve spring compresser

  1. #1
    Member norvalwilhelm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Waterloo, ontario
    Posts
    396
    Corvette(s)
    75 blown bigblock

    Default My homemade valve spring compresser

    As you know I tried taking my new heads apart and because of the roller springs I was unable to use a normal valve spring compresser.
    With advice from forum member I made my own. I started with a 2 inch piece of 1 ¾ round steel. I drilled a 1 1/8 hole almost all the way through for clearance. The titanium retainers are exactly 1.500 inches in diameter so I bored a hole 1.505 for clearance around the retainer and .100 deep. Springs are 1.550 diameter so it leave a .025 lip around the retainer which I wanted to press on. I then took a 1 inch milling cutter and cut a pair of large windows to work through.


    I checked the fit on the adapter on a spring and it fit snug but at the same time slid easily over the retainer and rested on the spring lip.


    I then took a spare large heavy duty C clamp and after first trying to drill and tap a hole in the end for the adapter found the clamp too hard to drill so I welded the adapter to it.
    I also wanted to protect the valve from the steel swivel so I took a piece of nylon and machined a boot to press over the swivel and protect the valve. I also rounded the end of the nylon slightly so it would seat in the center of the valve.

    I didn’t go with putting a nut on the end of the screw for the impact because I wanted to give it a try without. For things like heads I like to work in the house in my workroom right off the rec room. This way I can be in the house with the wife and if she is on the computer she is only 10 feet away and we can talk. I get to work on the car and yet keep her company. I also like to take my time, have everything at room temperature and just be anal about it. With air I would be forced to use the shop and I really found the handle effortless to turn. I also had absolutely no problems breaking the keepers loose. The springs are about $250 AM and the titanium retains I don’t have a clue. I will trade the springs in and might also sell the retainers.

    I took about 15 minutes to remove all 8 valves but you need someplace to keep them organized.


    Years ago I made a whole series of different hardwood blocks. This is a thick piece of maple, drilled for the springs, the valves and the keeps. It help organize everything and keep them in order and in place.

  2. #2
    Member GTR1999's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    New Haven CT
    Posts
    946
    Corvette(s)
    1969,1972,1975

    Default

    Nice work and pictures Norval.It's always interesting to see what you're "cooking up"
    Gary

  3. #3
    Member steelblue75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Marshfield,WI.
    Posts
    224
    Corvette(s)
    1975 steel blue coupe/1991polo green vert

    Default

    Idea.

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