Valve Spring Compressor?

[Deadsquiggles]

Getting ready to rebuild a 302 to go in my ‘84 F150 and I’m looking for opinions for a valve spring compressor since my springs need to be replaced to handle cam lift. What is recommended for a heads-off type? I found one on amazon for around $50 but had mixed reviews.

 

[bpjr]

Do you have a local Autozone parts store? They have free loaners if you buy parts from them.

 

[Djosbun]

Autozone is not going to have the valve spring compressor he needs. You are going to want the large C-clamp type. There are different versions available, mostly due to how deep the valve springs are in the cylinder head.

-- Dave

 

[vssjim]

Harry J Epsteins has a Wilde valve spring compressor c clamp style on clearance brand new for 35.00 I think but there web site is being updated and should be back up soon.

 

[unslow1]

Advance Auto rents the large c type. 648615


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...-valve-spring-compressor-kit-648615/9150012-P

 

[Shadowdog500]

You want something like this one which gets good reviews.

GEARWRENCH 383D Valve Spring Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CO9O2O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You may want to get or make a stand for the head.
I’ve used the peg type, but this one looks interesting.
COMP Cams 5332 V-Style Steel Head Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G933TY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here is the peg style. More economical. And works fine.
Sealey Cylinder Head Stands https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RUBAFW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TOTO]

As others have said I would just get a C type from an auto parts store's loaner program. It should work fine depending on the seat pressure of the springs. With that said what condition are the heads in ? Should they have the valves/seats done or at least lapped. Also valve guide condition, checked for cracks and flatness. Just a lot to think about. Good luck with the rebuild.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

As others have said I would just get a C type from an auto parts store's loaner program. It should work fine depending on the seat pressure of the springs. With that said what condition are the heads in ? Should they have the valves/seats done or at least lapped. Also valve guide condition, checked for cracks and flatness. Just a lot to think about. Good luck with the rebuild.

Heads are in good condition. Seats have already been lapped when I first got them, plus new Viton seals. I just changed my plans for the engine they’re going on so the springs won’t support the amount of lift I’m going with.

@ShadowDog500, I’ll check out that Gearwrench compressor. And the stands aren’t really necessary. Ford small blocks heads stand really nice on the exhaust ports lol

 

[TOTO]

Sounds like you have it under control. If we were closer I'd just let you use one of my air powered ones.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Yeah I’d love to spend the money on an air powered one, but I hope to not have to do this more than once or twice. Plus, I’m not sure when I’ll be doing this. I still gotta but the valve springs I need

 

[Steve_P]

The c-clamp style won't work with higher spring rates - I have an old USA made heavy duty one and it's still not enough. I do those in a hydraulic press.

 

[mikegt4]

Here is another option
https://www.harryepstein.com/c-clamp-valve-lifter.html.html

 

[Ohmthis]

How much spring pressure is too great for the c type? I have one that I got at sears years ago and have used it to do the heads on a HIPO BB Chevy. It worked, but wore my hands out.

 

[Jagmandave]

Those are fine for the old two valve heads, but for modern engines with the tiny 4 valve heads I work on (Hondas and Minis and such) they're too big. I'm down to using a large C clamp and a couple of sockets till I buy one that's sized appropriately

 

[Steve_P]

How much spring pressure is too great for the c type? I have one that I got at sears years ago and have used it to do the heads on a HIPO BB Chevy. It worked, but wore my hands out.

Too many variables for a definitive answer, but I'll try. I have an old Craftsman c-clamp style. It's fine for stock or mild aftermarket pushrod cams. I also use it on OHC engines; no issues on them, you can almost do them by hand . I also have a very HD manual c-clamp one that i bought for hot cams because the Cman wouldn't work. This was the best I could find 25 years ago. It's good, but once you get to about 280-300 lbf open, even it would flex and twist so much that you wouldn't want to use it. I talked to a hi-po engine builder about this and he laughed and said he did the stiff springs in his mill with an adapter. I built an adapter for my hydraulic press to do the same. It's slow but it works.