Magnum Head Valve Spring Compressor

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DionR

DionR

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Getting ready to do a cam swap on my Magnum headed 360 and have to upgrade the valve springs. Really don't want to pull the heads to upgrade the springs.

Current springs should be P5249464 based on what I have found online to have come on the MP R/T heads I am running. Swapping to the P4876062 spring.

The P4876062 spring has a dampener, not sure on the P5249464 spring.

Because it has a dampener, don't think I can use the screw type compressor. And the stud mount compressors all say for 3/8" or 7/16" studs, but the Magnum heads have a 5/16" studs (as I recall).

Anyone have any experience and/or input as to what tool I need to do the job?
 
DionR said:
Magnums have stud mounted rockers. Can't use that one.
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Magnums including Mopar R/T heads are considered pedestal mount with a bolt unless they have conversion studs for roller rockers, or if they are Edelbrock Magnum heads that come with studs for Chevy rocker arms.
TT5.9mag said:
Engine Head Valve Spring Compressor Tool For Dodge Ram 318 360 5.2L 5.9L | eBay
I’ve not used it but I have thought about trying this one.
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This one should work, and is pleasantly cheap.
If you have the old screw type already it will work too. Clunky with dampers, but does work.
 
Bobzilla said:
Magnums including Mopar R/T heads are considered pedestal mount with a bolt unless they have conversion studs for roller rockers, or if they are Edelbrock Magnum heads that come with studs for Chevy rocker arms.
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Good point. I was lumping them all together when they had a bolt or stud, but they aren't the same. Mine are not converted and use the OEM valvetrain, so "pedestal mount".

Bobzilla said:
If you have the old screw type already it will work too. Clunky with dampers, but does work.
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I assumed that with the dampener, it would be the same issue as a dual spring were only the outer spring is compressed. Good to know that in a pinch it would be an option.

I don't have either, so will probably go with the linked one that does them two at a time unless someone posts something better in the near future.
 
DionR said:
Good point. I was lumping them all together when they had a bolt or stud, but they aren't the same. Mine are not converted and use the OEM valvetrain, so "pedestal mount".



I assumed that with the dampener, it would be the same issue as a dual spring were only the outer spring is compressed. Good to know that in a pinch it would be an option.

I don't have either, so will probably go with the linked one that does them two at a time unless someone posts something better in the near future.
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If you have access to a stud mount compressor it will work. You need one stud to screw in the hole your working on. You can move it from hole to hole. I think comp and hughes have them.
You shouldn't have any damper problems with a lever type compressor that pushes the retainer and spring against the the head. This works well for me.
JEGS 80521: Stud Mounted Valve Spring Compressor Tool - JEGS High Performance
 
92b said:
You shouldn't have any damper problems with a lever type compressor that pushes the retainer and spring against the the head.
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I was concerned about the screw type that squeeze the spring and retainer. I am pretty sure they don't work for a dual spring, just wasn't sure about the spring/dampener combination.

Something like this:

image_22167.jpg


I went ahead and ordered the one from ebay and will see how it works out.
 
DionR said:
I was concerned about the screw type that squeeze the spring and retainer. I am pretty sure they don't work for a dual spring, just wasn't sure about the spring/dampener combination.

Something like this:

View attachment 1715866406

I went ahead and ordered the one from ebay and will see how it works out.
Click to expand...
Update us please after you use it.
 
TT5.9mag said:
Engine Head Valve Spring Compressor Tool For Dodge Ram 318 360 5.2L 5.9L | eBay
I’ve not used it but I have thought about trying this one.
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It looks just like the one they sell for the LS motors. When I did mine, I bought one for the LS as there was not one for the Magnums. The LS worked, but I had to modify it as the Pedestal to Spring width on the LS is shorter and the spring compressor side needed to moved up to make it work.

If someone gets the one that is supposedly for the Magnum, I'd be interested in how it works out. Esp. on heavier spring setup as the factory Magnum springs are pretty weak.
 
TT5.9mag said:
Update us please after you use it.
Click to expand...

Will do

Tsully said:
It looks just like the one they sell for the LS motors. When I did mine, I bought one for the LS as there was not one for the Magnums. The LS worked, but I had to modify it as the Pedestal to Spring width on the LS is shorter and the spring compressor side needed to moved up to make it work.

If someone gets the one that is supposedly for the Magnum, I'd be interested in how it works out. Esp. on heavier spring setup as the factory Magnum springs are pretty weak.
Click to expand...

I will be using the tool for a set of P4876062 springs. Hopefully they are stiff enough to make a good test case.
 
I had one of the shaft mount compressors anyway, so I just made a simple conversion mount for magnum heads.
20220208_184212_1644370803466.jpg

20220208_184506_1644370802943.jpg

20220208_184419_1644370803290.jpg
 
TT5.9mag said:
Update us please after you use it.
Click to expand...

Not ready to give a full update, but figured I would at least keep people in the loop in case they were getting ready to pull the trigger on the tool I bought.

So far, not happy. Supplied bolts are the wrong thread, center bolt doesn't match the angle of the valves, nose of the plate is too wide and has to be forced between the springs, and the offset is wrong so the compressor plate just barely makes contact with the spring retainer on one side. I've sent a message to the seller, we will see what I hear.

There is the possibility that they shipped me one for an LS, but my gut says they are all for an LS and just listed to fit the Magnum. Guess we will see.

20220216_121819.jpg
 
As a reference I found this option - Dodge Ram 318 360 5.2 5.9 Engine Heads Valve Spring Compressor Tool | eBay

Note that is says 318 360 5.2 5.9 in the title, but if you scroll down the description says "Bluegrass Performance 4.8 5.3 6.0 LS1 LS2 Valve Spring Compressor Tool. The Supplied 8mm Bolt has the correct angle when installed for easy removal of the valve keepers. Warning: Always use Eye protection when changing Valve springs!"
 
DionR said:
Not ready to give a full update, but figured I would at least keep people in the loop in case they were getting ready to pull the trigger on the tool I bought.

So far, not happy. Supplied bolts are the wrong thread, center bolt doesn't match the angle of the valves, nose of the plate is too wide and has to be forced between the springs, and the offset is wrong so the compressor plate just barely makes contact with the spring retainer on one side. I've sent a message to the seller, we will see what I hear.

There is the possibility that they shipped me one for an LS, but my gut says they are all for an LS and just listed to fit the Magnum. Guess we will see.

View attachment 1715871179
Click to expand...

That's the issue I ran into also!!! I'm thinking the same thing, that they think it will work on Magnum's just like it does for the LS's!!

Had to modify it like crazy and then it was still not quite right, as the springs I replaced were to wide and the middle bar would hit them and not compress them correctly!!!

I liked the idea though, as you could do 2 valves at once!!!
 
DionR said:
Not ready to give a full update, but figured I would at least keep people in the loop in case they were getting ready to pull the trigger on the tool I bought.
So far, not happy. Supplied bolts are the wrong thread, center bolt doesn't match the angle of the valves, nose of the plate is too wide and has to be forced between the springs, and the offset is wrong so the compressor plate just barely makes contact with the spring retainer on one side. I've sent a message to the seller, we will see what I hear.

There is the possibility that they shipped me one for an LS, but my gut says they are all for an LS and just listed to fit the Magnum. Guess we will see.

View attachment 1715871179
Click to expand...
Man I’m sorry, I feel bad for recommending it now. Thank you for the update though I certainly do appreciate you being the tester for us. Is there a way to modify it to make it work?
 
TT5.9mag said:
Man I’m sorry, I feel bad for recommending it now. Thank you for the update though I certainly do appreciate you being the tester for us. Is there a way to modify it to make it work?
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No worries.

I spent some time messing with it some more. Looks like it might work for the most part as is. I reversed the order and put the aluminum plate on top. This put the main plate lower and the center bolt in a much better spot. The only issue is that the center bolt is about 3 degrees out of plumb with the valves. If you look around the shadows (sorry about that), with the oversized hole, the plate that pushing the valve retainers down is pretty close to centered. At most maybe only a 1/16" off.

20220216_173134.jpg
 
Just got a reply from the company that sold the part. "Sorry, we can offer a 60% refund". Guess there is no hope I just got the wrong tool.
 
Kendog 170 said:
Maybe one of our talented Fabo members will make one to sell :rolleyes:
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Crossed my mind to bend the 3/16" plate (if possible) to bring the bolt into alignment with the valves. Only needs about 3 degrees, not a big bend. I think that would be enough to make this work.

But even then, if you have valve springs bigger than the 1.42" diameter Magnum ones, this tool isn't going to fit between them. Assuming something like an Edelbrock cylinder head uses a more standard diameter spring and the valves are spaced the same, there is no way you could build a tool that would work.

In the end, I think the best option might be the stud mount spring compressor. Hughes sells a stud with a 5/16 thread on the bottom and 3/8 on the top for like $6 and would allow for the tool to work. Hughes even sells the spring compressor and includes the needed stud. I like that one because it doesn't require you to keep pressure on the spring with one hand while trying to fish the keepers in or out with the other.

Second option would be the shaft mount compressor and a plate as shown above.
 
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