Sturtevant valve spring tester?

dr sportster · Jul 1, 2014

My Yother spring tester died so I picked up one of the old fashioned Sturtevant type that uses the plug in torque wrench. Often there is an instruction plate attached. I don't have this [although I know what it says]. The column starts at zero and then 1 inch down is marked 2. I want to set the column platform for a spring test at 1 inch [valve open] looking for 179-190 ft lbs. I know you multiply the torque wrench reading by 2 but where do you set the platform for a 1 inch height test?

guido · Jul 1, 2014

Hello dr sportster,

Have you tried their web site? Sturtevant Richmond is still in business. May be you can search the site I believe they have owners manuals, or contact them,

Guido

dr sportster · Jul 1, 2014

Hi Guido ,This one is patent date 1941, It is a simple to use design. I'm thinkin' they don't make these anymore. Another problem is I need to insert a beam type torque wrench -- not a click type. . I'm pretty sure the zero or unmarked IS the 1 inch setting but it is hard to tell without getting some numbers to read off the torque wrench. Once you have your height set it works great as the tester sounds a "chime" and thats where your torque wrench should read the ft/lbs. Problem is if your platform is not set at the proper height the measurement is meaningless. Thanks for the help.

Bob · Jul 1, 2014

I would GUESS you need to set the table so it is at 90º at the desired pressure????

But the modern "hydraulic" units are so reasonably priced, why bother?
The unit I use

dr sportster · Jul 2, 2014

THe link you posted is the type I had [only made by Yother] I figured if it failed once a new one might eventually fail. The old Sturtevant really has no parts that can go bad. I figured it out last night. The first line at the top of the threaded column is the 1 inch mark. If you use a click type wrench you set it to half the mid range of the lbs of spring pressure. When you pull down on the wrench and reach the spring height spec for 1 inch the torque wrench and the tester should click at almost exactly the same time. If the wrench clicks sooner you are over spec a little if it clicks later -spring is weak. I came down onto a machinist parallel to ensure that the tester was clicking right at [ or immediatly below ] the 1 inch height spec.

Sturtevant valve spring tester?

dr sportster

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guido

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dr sportster

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Bob

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dr sportster

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