Make your own valve spring compressor for $15

[skunkworks]

Originally Posted by cbatters

I went with Felpro for ~$38.00 from AutoZone. (2 x SS72805)

Thanks

Originally Posted by cbatters

Removing rocker arms is now the biggest PITA to doing VSS - need to take a look at the Mitsu tool for removing the rocker arms (Current design of my compressor tool cannot be used until after the rocker arm has been removed.)
Clint

From the link you gave me from jeffs site it looks like 2 big screwdrivers with duct tape wraped around them works

A more elegent way would be nice. something that wraps around the rear of the rocker to pry the back end off of the lash adjusters - then be able to spin it side ways. I have never seen the official tool.

sam

edit -
ooh ooh - how about making your valve spring compressor so it only pushes on the edges of the spring on each side of the rocker. compress the valve spring and then the rocker would fall out.

I assume this would have to be done with no cylender pressure so the spring and valve would go down

sam

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by skunkworks

Thanks
From the link you gave me from jeffs site it looks like 2 big screwdrivers with duct tape wraped around them works

A more elegent way would be nice. something that wraps around the rear of the rocker to pry the back end off of the lash adjusters - then be able to spin it side ways. I have never seen the official tool.

sam

edit -
ooh ooh - how about making your valve spring compressor so it only pushes on the edges of the spring on each side of the rocker. compress the valve spring and then the rocker would fall out.

I assume this would have to be done with no cylender pressure so the spring and valve would go down

sam

Prying with screwdrivers is ugly/time consuming (and could damage rocker arms / lifters)

1/2 of the tool already works this way - slides onto the valve retainer from the rear.

Thinking about a change in the other half of the tool that would allow it to be used with the rocker arm in place.

Workflow...

1. Attach tool
2. Tighten tool to compress spring enought to remove rocker arm
3. Loosen tool to seal valve
4. Pressurize cylinder
5. Tighten tool to compress spring and remove keepers
6. Remove tool to install VSS

(reverse process to reassemble)

Very fast / efficient...


Clint

[skunkworks]

one question - with the piston at top dead center how far would the valves fall into the cylander? would they fall far enough to get the valve spring out and still be able to pull them back up?

Just a thought if it would be easyer to remove/replace the vss with the spring out and not have to worry about trying to keep the valve from falling into the cylander.


sam

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by skunkworks

one question - with the piston at top dead center how far would the valves fall into the cylander? would they fall far enough to get the valve spring out and still be able to pull them back up?

Just a thought if it would be easyer to remove/replace the vss with the spring out and not have to worry about trying to keep the valve from falling into the cylander.

sam

Haven't tested this on my engine yet I can measure this on the head to see whether the intake or exhaust valves could actually fall into the engine (Valve angle may cause the valve to hit the cylinder before the stem comes out of the guide.)

With piston at TDC I am sure the valve would not fall into the cylinder but I am not not sure if there is enough clearance to remove the spring.

Allowing the valve to slide down inside the guide would be a PITA to retreive. O ring on a string keeps the the valve from dropping through the guide while removing the spring.


Clint

[cbatters]

I figured out how to modify the other half of the tool so it can be used to remove the rocker arm. This will also allow the tool to be used with/without the camshaft installed.

Should work (famous last words!)


Clint

[Blue94VR4inNM]

Clint,

When are you going to test this new version of the tool? I'd like to replace my seals here in the next few weeks.

-- Josh

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by Blue94VR4inNM

Clint,

When are you going to test this new version of the tool? I'd like to replace my seals here in the next few weeks.

-- Josh

I will do a sanity check tonight - clearances are tight and a dozen other designs have been torpedoed by the tight spacing of the valves in the DOHC.


Clint

[skunkworks]

good luck!!!

sam

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by skunkworks

good luck!!!

sam

Not sure what I was sniffing yesterday... glad I made it out of cardboard and not metal... not even close. (I keep forgetting how tight the tolerances are around the springs.... really isn't any practical way to grab onto the spring.)

Couple other ideas I will play around with tonight while staring at the head on a bench.

I would still like to see a pic of the Mitsu tool used to remove the rocker arms. I know I have seen a pic but can't remember where.



Clint

[BLACK94TT]

Originally Posted by cbatters

Not sure what I was sniffing yesterday... glad I made it out of cardboard and not metal... not even close. (I keep forgetting how tight the tolerances are around the springs.... really isn't any practical way to grab onto the spring.)

Couple other ideas I will play around with tonight while staring at the head on a bench.

I would still like to see a pic of the Mitsu tool used to remove the rocker arms. I know I have seen a pic but can't remember where.



Clint

Here ya go:
http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread....highlight=tool