INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
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- 356 Fan
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INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
I'm trying to install my valve springs on my A heads. I have a universal valve spring compressor that worked good for the intakes but just won't get the exhaust springs not enough room has anyone made a spring compressor that works. i'm thinking about using a C-clamp and welding a piece of tubing with a window in it or something to one end to compress the spring. any thoughts on this?
Jay D.
Jay D.
jay darlington
- John Brooks
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
Jay I needed one on a trip. Made it fron a small 4" section on water pipe with two 2" opposite notches 40% through the wall with a 1/4" ring in the end. Then used a big F clamp to compressed the spring. It was sketchy but worked fine. Kinda looked like the factory tool without the stand.
John Brooks
62 Roadster
66 912
84 Cab
getting pushed around in porsches since 1965
62 Roadster
66 912
84 Cab
getting pushed around in porsches since 1965
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- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1357
- Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:15 pm
- Location: coos bay oregon
Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
thanks John, that's what i'm thinking. I tried to welding a piece of tubing to my universal compressor but as it closes it tends to pull the spring to one side and then you can't get the one keeper in. with the C-clamp you should be able to push straight in, maybe.
Jay D.
Jay D.
jay darlington
- Harlan Halsey
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
I made an adaptor, many years ago, of a thick wall tube about 2 1/2" long which has the right I.D. for the retainers. It has a notch out of one side. I simply clamp it in the valve spring compressor. One side is ground away to clear the head wall. I use it on a lot of different engines, modifying it as needed.
The valve springs often tilt, even usually tilt, even without the adapter. I just slide the first keeper around to the small side, then work at poking the second one in while rocking and compressing the spring.
A C-clamp would be harder to juggle the retainer around with.
Good Luck
The valve springs often tilt, even usually tilt, even without the adapter. I just slide the first keeper around to the small side, then work at poking the second one in while rocking and compressing the spring.
A C-clamp would be harder to juggle the retainer around with.
Good Luck
- Alan Hall
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
Jay, Been there done that.
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- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:15 pm
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
THATS what i'm thinking, i'm on it today thanks Allen
Jay D.
Jay D.
jay darlington
- Wes Bender
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
When using any of the C-clamp shaped valve spring compressors, be careful that you don't put any scratches in the valve cover sealing surface. One little slip and you get to fix a potential oil leak.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....
- Don Gale
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
I retired all my old clumsy valve spring compressors
I finally built one that attaches to the side of my bench motor mount for doing my VW "practice motor", works great. I'll have to machine a new foot for 356 & 912 heads and make a different block of wood to hold the exhaust valves at an angle.
I also sacrificed an old pair of Vise-Grips for lapping the valves, works slick. Those flimsy suction cups on a stick never stay attached for very long.
I finally built one that attaches to the side of my bench motor mount for doing my VW "practice motor", works great. I'll have to machine a new foot for 356 & 912 heads and make a different block of wood to hold the exhaust valves at an angle.
I also sacrificed an old pair of Vise-Grips for lapping the valves, works slick. Those flimsy suction cups on a stick never stay attached for very long.
1958 356A 1600 Super Sunroof Coupe
former 1966 Euro 912 Sunroof
former 1978 Intermeccanica Speedster w/'68 912
Member Since 1983, #4039
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be"
former 1966 Euro 912 Sunroof
former 1978 Intermeccanica Speedster w/'68 912
Member Since 1983, #4039
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be"
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- 356 Fan
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- Wes Bender
- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:54 am
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
A 356 owner who does his own work can't have too many "special" tools. We've seen some really good ones in this and other recent threads. Maybe we need a section just for such things. (I'd suggest a "sticky", but there's almost too many of those now....)
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....
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- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:15 pm
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
diy tools would be cool, my spring compressor works good you would think it was a Proto. my carb stand for working on my carbs.
Jay D.jay darlington
- Ron LaDow
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
Some aren't DIY'd but are handy where you don't expect:
These were bought to remove that snap-ring on the crank, but they work quite well in removing the pistons from the oil system valves.Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz
www.precisionmatters.biz
- Don Gale
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
ditto, and they also work great for inserting the distributor drive shaft
1958 356A 1600 Super Sunroof Coupe
former 1966 Euro 912 Sunroof
former 1978 Intermeccanica Speedster w/'68 912
Member Since 1983, #4039
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be"
former 1966 Euro 912 Sunroof
former 1978 Intermeccanica Speedster w/'68 912
Member Since 1983, #4039
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be"
- Ron LaDow
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 8100
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:45 am
- Location: San Francisco
Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
Ooops: Forgot!
Yes, and they work great for *removing* the distributor drive shaft when that needs doing, like when you install it one tooth off.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz
www.precisionmatters.biz
- DonCichocki
- 356 Fan
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Re: INSTALLING VALVE SPRINGS
OK, gotta show off my compressor. Built it long ago when working on motorcycles.