[xj-s] Valve Spring Compressors

["Kirbert" <palmk@mailer.gadcomm.net>]

Somewhere in my book, Wikstroem reports that any old valve spring 
compressor from a K-mart will work on the V12.  All I can say is they 
must have better K-marts in Oz than here, 'cause I can't find squat 
here!

Years ago my brother showed me his valve spring compressor.  I 
remember it as a big bulky monstrosity that clearly wrapped around 
the head and pushed down on the valve head on one side while pushing 
on the spring on the other side.  So far, I haven't found anything 
like that for sale.

I have seen a coupla different types of valve spring compressor that 
work entirely from the top; the user is apparently expected to hold 
the valve closed by other means.  Holding the valve isn't too 
difficult while the head is off; you just set it on the bench, valve 
side down, with a little block of wood under the exhaust valve.  
These type of valve spring compressor have a pair of hooks that 
apparently is inserted between the coils near the bottom, and either 
a lever or a screw that pushes down on the collar.  I got ahold of 
one of these, but it didn't work well for me.  For one thing, it was 
difficult to insert the hooks between the coils -- but that may have 
had something to do with the fact that I was using it on the valve 
with the dropped seat, so the valve couldn't move to its fully closed 
position.  Also, this type only compresses the OUTER spring, doesn't 
do squat for the inner.  So, after using the tool to compress the 
outer spring, you have to physically push down on the tool to 
compress the inner spring -- all while trying to get those damn keys 
out of the middle.  Sorry, but I find the whole idea sucks.

There's another kind that apparently is designed especially for a 
Chevy.  It's just a lever that is held by a bolt on the head, and you 
use it to push the spring down.  Of course, you're holding that valve 
on your own again.  This idea might work, except of course the Jag 
V12 doesn't have bolts in the same locations.  I'm currently thinking 
about making a little adapter, a block that bolts to the V12 head and 
provides a bolt for holding this tool.

I found another valve spring compressor sold by Discount Auto Parts
and described as a "Small Engine Valve Spring Compressor".  Despite
being put off by the name, every time I was in the store and looking
at it, it looked more and more perfect for this job.  I measured
everything on the head and the tool, and ended up buying it because
it looked perfect.  It's a C-clamp looking thing, with two different
"feet" to fit different size springs.  I got it home, and sure
enough it WAS perfect -- in design anyway.  Unfortunately, it's a 
cheap piece of cr_p.  When tightening down the screw, the "foot" 
tilts backwards because it ain't attached worth a d_mn, and the tilt 
causes the foot to slide off the spring.  If it does it BEFORE you 
get the cotters out, it just scares the piss out of you, but if it 
does it as you're removing the cotters or after, it can be downright 
dangerous.  No wonder the instructions say to wear eye protection!  
On the second attempt, I managed to hold the tool in place by force 
long enough to get the cotters out, and then when I went to carefully 
undo the pressure the knob came off in my hand!  There were a few 
words spoken at elevated decible levels, and this is Sunday.  
Frankly, I wouldn't try this piece of junk again without full body 
armor.  It's going back to the store with my compliments.

Actually, I'm thinking more about making an entire tool, sorta like 
the one shown in the ROM.  By using a lever in line with the head, 
perhaps the head will stand still by itself.  If the lever swings 
across the head, the head will roll off the bench while you're 
fiddling with those damn retainers.

 -- Kirbert      |     If anything is to be accomplished,
                 |     some rules must be broken.
                 |          - Palm's Postulate

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Follow-Ups:

• Re: [xj-s] Valve Spring Compressors
• From: Edwin Hyatt <eahyatt@icanect.net>

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