Valve spring compressor PROBLEMS

old · Apr 3, 2021

So I am working on this 1947 Farmall cub. Picked up a valve spring compressor from O'Reilly's today but it bottom out before I can get the keep back in place. I can get one keeper back on but not both due to the arm that compresses the spring bottoms out on the block. I have a big one also but it run out of push long before it even starts pushing the spring. Any ideas what compressor I need so I can get this valve back in and pull a second one.

This valve was hard to get out but once I did it went right back in and no longer sticks any.

Thanks

wore out · Apr 3, 2021

You need the straight jaw set for the compressor you're using (the spare set shown with the first compressor) or some other style made for flatheads, such as the bottom two in the photo.

guido · Apr 3, 2021

old,

How about a thick washer or a nut on the valve itself. It should make all the difference you need to compress the valve,

Guido.

old · Apr 3, 2021

My big compressor is like the top one but with out the changeable lower jaws and it doesn't work. The middle one is like the one I got today. I just went out and tried again and changed the jaw in the middle pictured one and got both keepers back in place. I'll try tomorrow on the last stuck valve and if I get it done then all I have to do is wait till Monday to get the manifold gasket and a feeler gauge so I can set the valve tappet gap. My old set of feeler gauges rusted up so bad I cannot read what they say

old · Apr 3, 2021

Problem is/was the lower arm bottoms out on the block and I cannot put any thing on the lower jaw or i gets in the way of putting the keepers on. I did get them back on just a few minutes ago after I changed the lower jaw on the compressor I got today so it may work on the last one tomorrow

SparepartsTN · Apr 3, 2021

I needed to remove and replace a valve on my Harley, I don't have a valve spring compressor. So after looking around the shop I grabbed a 6 welders C clamp and a couple of small blocks of aluminum, put the blocks on the valve collar and compressed the spring with the C clamp. A little tricky keeping it all lined up but I could remove and replace the keepers reaching between the blocks. If I had to do it often I would buy a tool but for very occasional need I use what I can find that works.

T.R.K. · Apr 3, 2021

I have one like the middle one in Wore Out's picture. It wouldn't do Briggs OHV single cylinder heads for the same reason you describe. The gussets in the black piece hit before the valve is compressed enough to access the keepers.

I cut the black jaw just beyond the silver piece, flipped the cut-off end over and welded them back together with a piece of 1/4 keystock laid inside the cut-off piece for reinforcement. Then it worked much better. (Sorry, I can't post a picture.)

I think those black jaws are still available as a replacement part.

Janicholson · Apr 4, 2021

Put one or two washers on top of the fork touching the spring retainer. Maybe 1/2 inch ID so it pushes farther.
Jim

jimg.allentown · Apr 4, 2021

Find a pipe in your scrap pile that is about the same diameter as the valve spring retainer. Cut off a piece about a quarter to a half inch long. Place that on top of the spring retainer before you try to compress the valve spring. You should be able to put the keepers in once you compress it this way.

Hope this helps.

DelMN · Apr 4, 2021

Because the cub is a flathead, you may try one like this: K-D NO 70 VALVE SPRING COMPRESSOR FOR FLATHEAD ENGINES. I believe the reason why manufactures went to OHV is because of the difficulty of removing and replacing valves! HA

Valve spring compressor PROBLEMS

old

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wore out

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guido

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old

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old

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SparepartsTN

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T.R.K.

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Janicholson

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jimg.allentown

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DelMN

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