Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-11-2016, 03:48 PM   #1
mjr67
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 14
Default Which Valve Spring Compressor

I am looking to purchase a valve spring compressor for work on my Model A engine...
Any suggestions on which one would be best...??
I am thinking of ordering one off of ebay... Perhaps a vintage K-D brand one but don't know which one..
Thanks,
mjr67 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 04:05 PM   #2
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,109
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

After several tries, (and buying several that just didn't work for me) I finally got one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-K-D-...538526&vxp=mtr

This one works for me anyway.
__________________
Alaskan A's
Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska
Model A Ford Club of America
Model A Restorers Club
Antique Automobile Club of America
Mullins Owner's Club
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-11-2016, 04:09 PM   #3
JOHN CT
Senior Member
 
JOHN CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: In my garage
Posts: 465
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
After several tries, (and buying several that just didn't work for me) I finally got one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-K-D-...538526&vxp=mtr

This one works for me anyway.
I have the same ones shown on eBay and they worked fine for me. Just my 2 cents
JOHN CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 05:41 PM   #4
VFRhugh
Senior Member
 
VFRhugh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 177
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

I just bought this one from Snyder's and it worked great dissembling. Haven't started to reassemble yet.
Hugh
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/va...ring-tool-3919
VFRhugh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 10:10 PM   #5
jeep44
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: canton,michigan
Posts: 312
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

I have the same one from Snyders-I've used it on two engines so far, and it has been quick and easy to use. I actually have the other one shown in this thread (I pick up oddball tools at swap meets), but I never felt the need to use it.
jeep44 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 10:52 PM   #6
AL in NY
Senior Member
 
AL in NY's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Upstate New York
Posts: 1,149
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
My vote is for the one CarlG showed the photo of in the ebay link. The thing that is nice about that tool is you don't need to hold the valve spring compressed with one hand and try to put the keepers on with the other.(I'm using modern valves and keepers. Those damn things are hard to align one-handed). That tool allows you to use both hands while the tool holds the valve spring compressed.
__________________
AL in NY
AL in NY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 11:02 PM   #7
MikeK
Senior Member
 
MikeK's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Windy City
Posts: 2,919
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

I have several different types. They are all adept at delivering severe pinches and blood blisters. Experience is the best, albeit often cruel, teacher!
MikeK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 11:34 PM   #8
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Tried to use the modern one above the the vendors sell. Pain in the ass compared to one like this;

__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 11:35 PM   #9
jeep44
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: canton,michigan
Posts: 312
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

That's why I offer up the keepers with a pair of long-nosed needle nose pliers! I will grant that the Snyders lever type is easier to use with original-style valves and keepers.
jeep44 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2016, 11:59 PM   #10
AL in NY
Senior Member
 
AL in NY's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Upstate New York
Posts: 1,149
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

MikeV - had one of those. Using it requires one hand to hold the spring compressed. Still a one handed operation to get those modern keepers in place. IMO, not a good choice for a spring compressor.
__________________
AL in NY
AL in NY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 04:41 AM   #11
Bruce of MN
Senior Member
 
Bruce of MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,395
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Being "thrifty", I used the one I already had like this:

Bruce of MN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 05:43 AM   #12
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce of MN View Post
Being "thrifty", I used the one I already had like this:

That's the type I always use. Very versatile!
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 07:07 AM   #13
dave in australia
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Victoria, Australia
Posts: 1,170
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

I made my own from angle iron and RHS. The angle bolts to the port and then a small riser from the RHS allows it to swing and lever up the spring. It just slides along the angle to line up with each valve. The RHS has a slot milled in the end and captures the spring so it doesn't kick out the side.
dave in australia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 09:15 AM   #14
jhowes
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: upstate NY near Mass border
Posts: 789
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Whats an RHS?
jhowes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 11:30 AM   #15
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

RHS = rectangular hollow section in my book, but he may have a different meaning.

dave in australia, Got a pic?
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2016, 04:17 PM   #16
Dave in MN
Senior Member
 
Dave in MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jordan, MN
Posts: 1,410
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Keep your eyes open for a Sunnen valve spring tool. I have tried different spring compressors and find the Sunnen I show in the attached photo the best. I liked it so much I bought a spare. The Sunnen is much easier on your hands as it is long and has a lot of good mechanical advantage built in to the design. The sliding tab locks the tool in an infinite number of positions of spring compression. The width of the tip is adjustable to fit various components. I had to wait about a week before one showed up on ebay. I checked when you started this thread and there were not any currently being offered. I assembled about 40 engines last year and know from experience what type I like best. JMO
Good Day
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20160312_150632.jpg (43.3 KB, 285 views)
Dave in MN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-14-2016, 09:26 AM   #17
dave in australia
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Victoria, Australia
Posts: 1,170
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
RHS = rectangular hollow section in my book, but he may have a different meaning.

dave in australia, Got a pic?
Yes that's it, rectangular hollow section.
No pic at the moment.
dave in australia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 01:38 PM   #18
Bruce Remington
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 85
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Without a doubt the sunnen is the best. Worked in an engine shop many years and did Model A engines for years. Only thing bad about the Sunnen was I wore it out after 30 years and had to buy another one.
Bruce Remington is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 03:14 PM   #19
SeaSlugs
Senior Member
 
SeaSlugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central, IL
Posts: 3,968
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by VFRhugh View Post
I just bought this one from Snyder's and it worked great dissembling. Haven't started to reassemble yet.
Hugh
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/va...ring-tool-3919
i mimmicked that using one of the old tireirons that has the bent hook on the crooked end and a piece of stiff wire in a loop around an exhaust manifold stud... all 8 came out all 8 went back in just fine.

whatever you do use needle nose pliers to put the keepers back in, if the spring compressor slips its much easier to remove stuck pliers than your finger from the spring!
__________________
1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!
SeaSlugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2016, 03:20 PM   #20
Dave in MN
Senior Member
 
Dave in MN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jordan, MN
Posts: 1,410
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Remington View Post
Without a doubt the sunnen is the best. Worked in an engine shop many years and did Model A engines for years. Only thing bad about the Sunnen was I wore it out after 30 years and had to buy another one.
Bruce Remington bought a Sunnen and gave it to me as a gift after he saw I was using the others shown in my previous post. And the reason I bought a spare? I figured I would use the first one 30 years, like Bruce, and when it wore out, I wouldn't need to use those others while I looked for another Sunnen.
Good Day!

Last edited by Dave in MN; 03-15-2016 at 03:34 PM.
Dave in MN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2021, 05:42 AM   #21
dmaxweb
Senior Member
 
dmaxweb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 510
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave in MN View Post
Keep your eyes open for a Sunnen valve spring tool. I have tried different spring compressors and find the Sunnen I show in the attached photo the best. I liked it so much I bought a spare. The Sunnen is much easier on your hands as it is long and has a lot of good mechanical advantage built in to the design. The sliding tab locks the tool in an infinite number of positions of spring compression. The width of the tip is adjustable to fit various components. I had to wait about a week before one showed up on ebay. I checked when you started this thread and there were not any currently being offered. I assembled about 40 engines last year and know from experience what type I like best. JMO
Good Day

Do you know the model # of the Sunnen tool?
Thanks
dmaxweb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2023, 08:22 AM   #22
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,088
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
After several tries, (and buying several that just didn't work for me) I finally got one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-K-D-...538526&vxp=mtr

This one works for me anyway.
Carl, can you show a photo of the valve compressor that you like. I am in the market for one.
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 01-07-2023, 10:06 AM   #23
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

Try: https://www.google.com/search?q=KD+T...hrome&ie=UTF-8
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2023, 12:25 PM   #24
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,820
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

I have the antique tool that Dave showed, Post # 16. I had to modify it a bit to get it to work well.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2023, 02:41 AM   #25
The Liberator
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 10
Default Re: Which Valve Spring Compressor

I’ve just used the trusty old craftsman similar to the one pictured above with no issues.
The Liberator is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:04 AM.