Valve Spring Compressor Recommendation

[ukkid35]

Are the Clarke CHT459 and Draper VSC7 strong enough to compress the double springs used with high lift cams?



I tried using a compressor that looks much like this one below and it just deformed rather than compress the spring



Fortunately I don't need a wide throat compressor, I was just trying to use one that I had used before on multi valve heads without any problem

[Mignon]

I've never found any off the shelf compressor too weak to compress any valve springs but you need to be aware that valve caps sometimes stick on the collets and this can cause problems. Before you use the compressor get a socket and a hammer and give each cap a good tap to shock them loose. Once you've broken the seal then the type of compressor in the 2nd photo should be fine. I wouldn't go for one that you need to wind a screw in and out to remove every valve. That's overly time consuming.

[stevieturbo]

Well of course that depends what springs you are using...whether the tool is the right one for your application and of course assuming you are using it correctly.
And that you made sure the spring top was released from the colletts prior to using the compressor

But alas with so many posts these days...so much vagueness.

[ukkid35]

Thanks both for your advice - as you suggested this was in part a case of RTFM



in all fairness breaking the seal, which I did as you advised, was only enough for one out of eight

What actually worked was tapping once the compressor was fully compressed, just as you do with a ball joint separator

Unfortunately this has lead to the discovery of a rather unfortunate problem

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[227bhp]

If you smack them hard enough with a hammer and socket you don't need a VSC

[DVandrews]

227bhp said:

If you smack them hard enough with a hammer and socket you don't need a VSC

Have fun retrieving the collets from all around the workshop/garage.

I Have 4 different spring compressors for different applications, but I have used the Sykes Pickavant type pictured exclusively of DOHC engines for 20+ years with no issues, provided the stiction between the cap and collets is broken first in the prescribed manner it should work perfectly even with very strong springs. A modification to the collar that sits on the cap can ease removal and replacement of the collets.





Dave

[227bhp]

DVandrews said:

227bhp said:

If you smack them hard enough with a hammer and socket you don't need a VSC

Have fun retrieving the collets from all around the workshop/garage.

Dave

Yeah they quite often get a bit too loose, I do it in the assembly room as it's much cleaner in there with less places for them to hide! We've also got piles of extra collets from scrap heads so losing the odd one or two is no issue, it's 10 x as fast.