ZIM Tool Thread

[Provincial]

I see that ZIM tools have been posted scattered around the Forum. ZIM made/sold a wide variety of tools, many for engine repair. The posts are kind of random so I thought it might be a good idea to create a thread dedicated to ZIM tools so they can be shared in one spot.

I'll start this out with an overhead valve adjusting tool. These are very common on Ebay. Mine is missing the knurled screw that holds the adjusting screw in alignment with either the 9/16 or 5/8 12-point end of the wrench. I think a lot of these tools were sold.

ZIM made many valve grinding and adjusting tools, ring compressors, and other tools. Show 'em!

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a No 122 flathead valve spring compressor I found at a Sonoma, CA estate sale back in March.
-Don

 

[MShaw]

Here's my contribution. Several mechanics in the Massey Ferguson dealership that I worked in in 1962 bought these over Snap on as the Snap on ones were cast iron and did not survive being dropped real well.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'll bump yer thread with an alternative version of the valve adjustment tool you showed in post #1, Provincial. Just picked this up at the flea this morning. Certainly not rare - although the other two I have like this are branded for New Britain and Hastings.

 

[Leviton]

So... the ZIM people called me. They are a bit perturbed. Because...

1) It has been over 2 years since anyone added to Provincial's thread.

2) Going by what has been posted thus far, you would think they only made valve servicing tools.

I told them I could help them out.


Here is a gear puller that I recently found:







The stamping on the other side is identical. The pivots are rivets. Overall length is approximately 5 inches.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not that it's a big revelation, but these two unused valve lappers, just picked up this morning at the flea for a price I could've easily found in loose change on the floor of my truck, show that Zim was making these for all kinds of brands, including New Britain era Blackhawk. With "ZT" as a prefix for their part number, NB didn't try too hard to hide it, either.

 

[Provincial]

I bought a Craftsman crowntop version of those new in the late 1960's. I still have it, and I think the box, too!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have to admit that late 50's (NB bought Blackhawk in '55) is even later than I suspected on these.

 

[d42jeep]

Do you guys think that Sears sourced this Dunlap lapper from Zim?

 

[humber2]

These tools were shipped needing assembly before use, then they wouldn’t fit back in the box.

Here’s one of mine that had the box survive under duress...

 

[humber2]

Here’s another Zim tool in my stash, not sure if it is for detonator crimping.

 

[d42jeep]

I picked up a lightly used valve spring compressor this morning at a sale close to home. The people at the sale gifted it to me because I was able to tell them what it’s function was.
-Don

 

[kyrbz]

I was buying something from a tool wholesaler on eBay and even though I didn't particularly need these at the time, he had these NOS Zim hose clamp pliers and valve spring compressors so cheap I couldn't pass them by.

 

[four.cycle]

^ pliers would be pretty hard to pass up.

 

[kyrbz]

^ pliers would be pretty hard to pass up.

It was awhile back, but if I remember correctly the pliers were around $5 and the valve spring compressor $10-15?

 

[Leviton]

Found a ZIM 122 Combination Valve Lifter and Spring Compressor. (d42jeep posted one farther up, but I didn't see it until after I took a picture of mine so now, darnit, I'm going to post mine anyway since I went to all the trouble to take a photo.)

Took a while to find one in a catalog. Finally found it in a 1957 Western Auto catalog. Although it is not called out as a Zim in the catalog, several tools on the same page do have the Zim name and the tool illustration looks exactly the same as my 122.

 

[d42jeep]

Patented in 1943.
-Don

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e6/52/f7/9a327a0e5b28da/US2316646.pdf

 

[d42jeep]

Accidental double post.

 

[Ed in Virginia]

Zim valve lifter and box from my collection:

 

[ConductorChris]

Hello

Found this in an estate sale toolbox and need some help identifying it.

 

[WisJim]

It's nice to see the Valve refacer in a catalog. That's what I thought they are, but hadn't seen it anywhere.

 

[ConductorChris]

Hello

Found this in an estate sale toolbox and need some help identifying it.

Bump

 

[RTM]

Hello

Found this in an estate sale toolbox and need some help identifying it.

Looks like a tool for releasing window cranks off door panels, but that’s a guess, no catalogs to back me up, nor does a google image search.

 

[four.cycle]

looks like a door handle clip tool - not as fancy as later models:

 

[Leviton]

Found my largest ZIM tool. A double-ended 20-inch valve spring lifter bar. Marked “ZIM” with a C in a circle (or maybe an O in the circle) and “Made In U.S.A.”.

Was advertised in a 1957 Western Auto Catalog for less money than I paid for it.

 

[Provincial]

For flathead Ford V-8's. Meant for lifting the valve/spring/guide as a unit after removing the C-clip that retains it.

 

[Namorski]

 

[Namorski]

Anyone need this? My reward for helping with an estate

 

[Leviton]

Found a ring expander for installing and removing piston rings. Spring loaded, aluminum (fun to play with).

I believe mine is the #202 with a 2-3/4" to 4-1/4" range.

It's a 1922 patent and was in a 1965 Zim catalog.

 

[Ayrhead]

Zim Valve Spring Compressor