Best valve spring tester?

[Demonic]

What‘s your experience with valve spring testers? I see there’s a wide range from leaky $60. Amazon ones to $800.- pro bench models. I’m thinking about getting something useful, where I could note pressures at installed height and max lift. Any recommendations?

 

[Kendog 170]

 

[blue_stocker]

Rimac makes a great bench unit but they're a little spendy anymore.

 

[Jeremiah (jd)]

It depends on how high of a PSi you want to test. I have the following proform model that I use for testing seat psi. The built in mic wont let you compress the spring farther than 1.500". If I find anything out pf spec I tale them to the machine shop and use the romac.

Proform Parts 66842 Proform Digital Mini Valve Spring Tester and Measuring Combos | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Proform Digital Mini Valve Spring Tester and Measuring Combos with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Valve Spring Testers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[66fs]

What‘s your experience with valve spring testers? I see there’s a wide range from leaky $60. Amazon ones to $800.- pro bench models. I’m thinking about getting something useful, where I could note pressures at installed height and max lift. Any recommendations?

Find a used Rimac tester they come up on eBay and other places. Figure what your highest open pressure will be and get one in that range. You can always ask to use one at a machine shop, my shop let me use theirs till I found a good used one.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I have a friend who uses this one. It's one of the best.

Intercomp Digital Arbor Valve Spring Tester | VST-2000

This easy-to-use valve spring tester features digital readout, 5" travel capacity and 2" dia. spring pads to handle most springs on the market. American made.

goodson.com

 

[Demonic]

I have a friend who uses this one. It's one of the best.

Intercomp Digital Arbor Valve Spring Tester | VST-2000

This easy-to-use valve spring tester features digital readout, 5" travel capacity and 2" dia. spring pads to handle most springs on the market. American made.

goodson.com

At $1700.- I suppose so.

 

[RustyRatRod]

At $1700.- I suppose so.

You did say "best" did you not?

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

Brad Buxton makes really nice spring compressors. I actually knew him when he first started manufacturing them in Larry Cambron's garage in Owensboro, KY.

I have an earlier version of this model, but this what you need for really high psi springs.

Bench Valve Spring Tester - Buxton Engineering, Inc.

Tom

 

[mopardude318]

Don’t they make one to test the spring rate while it’s installed? I think I was told by my engine builder to check the spring rate on my 408 that has a solid roller… keep track of the rate when I first get it and as I drive it, check the rate and take note. As the springs get weaker, I must replace…. Does that make any sense? That is a thing, right?

 

[MOPARMAGA]

Id like my boss to pony up for one that will test big boy solid roller springs.

 

[MOPARMAGA]

At $1700.- I suppose so.

If it wasn't sold by goodson it would probably be half that. Goodson stuff is EXPENSIVE

 

[MOPARMAGA]

What‘s your experience with valve spring testers? I see there’s a wide range from leaky $60. Amazon ones to $800.- pro bench models. I’m thinking about getting something useful, where I could note pressures at installed height and max lift. Any recommendations?

Probably cheaper to ask your local machine shop, probably would take 30 minutes to do what you want. Hell id do it for free