Homemade valve spring compressor?

Jdr315 · Mar 4, 2017

Anyone made one for a flathead engine? I am going to put the valves back in the fordson tomorrow and just curious of any homemade ways to compress the springs to get the keepers back in.

Janicholson · Mar 4, 2017

compress them in a vice just short of coil bind, and put two "C" shaped pieces of 1/2"X1/8" steel strip on each side. Put a hose
clamp around them to keep them in place. Install the valve through the compressed spring. Turn the engine till that valve is all
the way open. Remove the clips and there you are. Jim

Geo-TH,In · Mar 5, 2017

In 1979 I purchased a man's 50 year collection of old tools. I
had a drawer full of flat head valve spring compressors. A few
years ago, after never using them, I listed them on craigslist
and they sold real fast.

Russ from MN · Mar 5, 2017

I made this one years ago for a 10 hp Briggs, I believe I have used it on other small engines but it's pretty size specific.

Brian G. NY · Mar 5, 2017

(quoted from post at 05:26:14 03/05/17) Anyone made one for a flathead engine? I am going to put the valves back in the fordson tomorrow and just curious of any homemade ways to compress the springs to get the keepers back in.

[color=darkblue:8d68ab97f6]I don't know anything about the Fordson. However, "flathead" caught my attention as years ago, I worked a bit on flathead V-8s.
I know that I used to remove the complete valve, spring and guide assembly at once using a "crowfoot" type bar to first remove the [u:8d68ab97f6]guide[/u:8d68ab97f6] keeper. I googled and found a bunch of stuff on flathead valve tools. I have no idea whether or not any of these would work on your Fordson. There is apparently more than one way to service flathead V-8 valves including using a tool to compress the spring to remove and install the [u:8d68ab97f6]valve[/u:8d68ab97f6] keepers the more traditional way used for other engines.
Maybe this is what you are speaking of?
Anyway, if it works, here is a link.
[/color:8d68ab97f6]
http://www.quartoknows.com/blog/quartodrives/2015/11/03/ford-flathead-valve-assembly-removal/

Steve@Advance · Mar 5, 2017

That the head is still off, you can use a regular spring compressor. That works better anyway, less in the way under the spring.

You might can get one at Auto Zone. They have a program where you "buy" the tool with the understanding they will take it back when done.

Homemade valve spring compressor?

Jdr315

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Janicholson

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Geo-TH,In

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Russ from MN

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Brian G. NY

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Steve@Advance

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