Anybody ever use a valve spring compressor?

[SmockDoiley]

SO I just bought this compressor so I can get at my exhaust ports better on the D0VE-C heads but this thing is a POS. The handle to crank is so small you cant get any leverage for the clamp to push down on the spring. So I put a wrench on it for more torque but the clamp bar bends and the c-clip slides off the retainer and whacks the spring and valve cover surface. I'm so pissed. Then they say once the valve is down, remove the locks and then slowly release the release lever while holding the crank so it doesnt spring back. Yeah right, just the mm I pushed the spring down made the crank impossible to hold on to when pulling the release lever. This tool could kill someone its so dangerous and worthless. Now I've got a jacked up retainer and scratched spring. I think I'm going to talk to a manager at Pep Boys when I return it so maybe they take it off the shelf.

 

[Michael Yount]

I bought the simple lever/crows-foot type. You use the rocker bolt to screw it to the pedestal, or to attach it to the stud. Then you simply lever it down onto the retainer - use a magnet in your other hand to pull the keepers off. Helps before starting to smack the retainer with a socket/hammer to help release the keepers. I never could get the crank on kind to work as mine has springs and dampers (2 springs) and I couldn't ever find a crank down kind that will reach under the outer and inner spring. Is the head on or off the car? What the heck are you up to now Smock?

 

[SmockDoiley]

I looked for the one you have but they didnt have it. I'm just out of the USMC now and moved to Illinois. I'm working on a 460/C6 combo now and am porting the exhaust ports on the D0VE-C heads.

 

[Ranchero5.0]

Chill out dude. I do head with the intake face on the table. Adjust the screw so once the clamp is on the spring and valve you only have an inch or two to squeeze. Start with what ever you can 'easily' lock it together at. then take a mallet and tap the spring retainer. I'd bet your problem is the locks are frozen up. You need to free them with the mallet before the spring will compress. Heck, my Snap On has a fit if they are frozen up and won't pop them loose.

Once they free up, lean the valve retainer up and pull the lower lock out and then slide the other lock to the bottom and do it againe.