Hi Guys,

I'd like to get a valve spring compressor.

The shop I went to this morning had this one in stock (but for $90!). It is 75-165mm in compressing ability, which was too big/wide for a mini head (I had a head in the car to compare to)
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... 2555#Cross

Would one with 55-125mm range be enough to compress the valves, or should I be looking for a smaller one again?
https://www.kincrome.com.au/product/220 ... compressor

If anyone else has one has a different style or brand that works, let me know.

Cheers, Tim

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Hey Tim,

I bought one off ebay for $35

it was from "central tool supplies"
Item number 300944375023

i used it to remove the springs from an engine i just stripped with no problems.

It looked like a piece of junk from China but did the trick.

Hope this helps.
Hugh

I use a cheap one as well for the bi annual need to strip a head. The standard supercheap type are a little wide but I put a couple of thick washers or a nut under the valve to make the gap.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Yeah I too have this, you can borrow it if you want

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

To dismantle a head you don't need a compressor, you just need a hammer and a 3/4 socket.

Even with a compressor you will need the hammer and socket to free the collets, a couple of bigger taps and the collets fall out anyway!

It looks like this one here? It is listed as being 75-140mm, so it would be a bit big as well?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VALVE-SPRING ... 43ca549958

I do remember at least 10 years ago when I helped grandpa to put it back together we used a socket on the valve side to make it wide enough to work. It wasn't the best solution as it kept slipping from memory...

Thanks for the offer, but I'd rather get one for myself so I can use it whenever I need.

I need to put it back together though, that's what I'm more concerned with

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I made my own valve spring compressor

I used one of those Irwin quick grip clamps……one that is a cross between a f clamp and a silicone gun…..
I welded a bit of flat bar with a hole drilled in it to the end that pulls the spring down.
The hole is just a little larger than the collets…..and at the other end just made a sleeve with a bit of tubing that is long enough to sit against the valve.
The great thing about this valve spring compressor is that you only need one hand to use it……plus it pulls in slow increments
So you have time to play and adjust the spring and line things up…..



don’t ask me how much the clamp cost…….I borrowed from work……funny the boss still asks if any one has seen his clamp…….three years on….

cheers Neil

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I have a mini because I'm not allowed to play with small thermo nuclear weapons any more. (bloody neighbours you’d think they would be happy that they don’t have to turn a light on when they need to take a leak in the middle of the night)

This is brilliant. Add it to the project list!

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1998 Rover Mk VII
2001 Honda CBR 929RR (street)
2014 BMW S1000RR (track)

Nice

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Nice and simple engineering. Well done.