Another "What is this tool used for?" question

[Ed in Virginia]

This came out of a box of tools that I got at an estate auction. The only marking is "VIM" on the rectangular piece. Alloy Artifacts says the Vim Tool Co. has been around since 1931 and made specialty automotive tools. I'm curious about what this tool is used for. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Provincial]

Perhaps a valve spring compressor for flathead engines. The "pliers" clamp the bottom of the spring/washer and the fold-out bracket is the pivot point pushing against the bottom of the valve chamber.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Reminds me of those glass blower tongs.

 

[Mintgrun]

"Valve lifter" according to posts in the VIM thread.

VIM Tools - Durston Manufacturing Co.

VIM Tool Co. original company name and location: Vim Tool Co., 507-15 No. 7th St., Minneapolis, Minnesota currently: Vimtools - Durston Manufacturing Co. La Verne, California 91750 - www.vimtools.com There is a very brief entry on VIM at Alloy-Artifacts.org (here...

www.garagejournal.com

Mr. X posted this photo.

 

[Ed in Virginia]

"Valve lifter" according to posts in the VIM thread.

VIM Tools - Durston Manufacturing Co.

VIM Tool Co. original company name and location: Vim Tool Co., 507-15 No. 7th St., Minneapolis, Minnesota currently: Vimtools - Durston Manufacturing Co. La Verne, California 91750 - www.vimtools.com There is a very brief entry on VIM at Alloy-Artifacts.org (here...

www.garagejournal.com

Mr. X posted this photo.

Thank you!

 

[four.cycle]

^ Thanks for this, Ed. You've reminded me that the guy at Durston said he'd photocopy that entire 1931 catalog and send it to me.
I'll see if I can make any headway on it tomorrow.