Homemade valve spring compressor.

[Dartfreak75]

I love making my own tools I have made several for gunsmithing projects some turned out awesome others where epic fails. I have been planning on this one for a while now I just havent gotten around to doing it yet. I tried once before and it didnt work out so I scraped that plan and tried something different. I'm using an old scrap rocker and shaft and welded a long piece of tube (I may shorten it later depending on how much force is required) I cut the pushrod end off to clear the head and flipped it around backwards and gonna weld the valve side of the rocker to the tube. I cut the tube at an angle to match the rocker. Then I'm gonna weld two "arms" on to the tube to contact the valve spring retainers should be able to pull down and compress it. I got started this evening and as soon as I got the welder out it started to rain so I didnt get to finish but here is what i got so far. The best part is this is completely free it's just stuff I had laying around I didnt buy anything for this project Let me know what you think
Ps the pics are backwards

 

[George Jets]

Copy this tool:

Jegs
Comp cams tool 5323

 

[Dartfreak75]

Copy this tool:

View attachment 1715481046
Jegs
Comp cams tool 5323

Yep that is the idea I'm going for. Alot cheaper tho lol

 

[George Jets]

Always liked the looks of this tool:

Go get 'em @dartfreak75

 

[George Jets]

Copy this tool:

View attachment 1715481046
Jegs
Comp cams tool 5323

Just looking on Jegs web site: $175.00 bucks for that comp cam spring tool, guess you can make up a lot of them for that kind of money. Lol . .

 

[Dartfreak75]

Just looking on Jegs web site: $175.00 bucks for that comp cam spring tool, guess you can make up a lot of them for that kind of money. Lol . .

Yep that a 175 I can spend elsewhere. I gotta order new leaf springs soon. Lol I enjoy engineering up my own projects makes the job more satisfying when I made the tool to do the job.

 

[Dartfreak75]

I got it put together today I think its gonna work. I'm gonna run to my storage unit tomorrow and get some valve springs and try it out. I'm gonna take a grinder and clean it up some and make it look a nicer and shape out the arms some. Here are some pics.

 

[Dartfreak75]

More pics. My welding is getting better.

 

[George Jets]

There You Go . . .

 

[George Jets]

More pics. My welding is getting better.

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Yes Sir . . .

Taking an idea and bringing it to life.

 

[Dartfreak75]

Yes Sir . . .

It was most definitely the extension cord giving me trouble I plugged it straight into the outside outlet for this job and the welder worked like a champ. Now if I could just get my end on par I could make some decent welds hahaha.

 

[George Jets]

It was most definitely the extension cord giving me trouble I plugged it straight into the outside outlet for this job and the welder worked like a champ. Now if I could just get my end on par I could make some decent welds hahaha.

Improving your welding skills and making useful tools in the process.

Can't Beat That . . .

 

[Ddaddy]

I would either put a plastic liner in that tool or highly polish the inside. Don’t want to scuff the rocker shaft.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Looks like a winner to me!

 

[beanhead]

Interesting...I had one of the cheapy-style ones laying around so I welded an old 1/2" drive socket on top of it, so I can put my cordless drill to it. Easy spring changes in or out of the car.

 

[4spdragtop]

Dont feel bad about the cord. ANY tool running off an extension cord may be compromised. No matter how good the cord. Ya learned and ya burned, done good!

 

[Dartfreak75]

I would either put a plastic liner in that tool or highly polish the inside. Don’t want to scuff the rocker shaft.

The rocker is a scrap one that I'm dedicating for the tool only its not the one going back on the engine. But that is a good idea.

 

[Dartfreak75]

One thing I am concerned about is getting the keepers back in during reassembly. I'm gonna practice with it if it's an issue I'm gonna drill a finger sized hole into the "arms" to help put the keepers on. The gap is so small I'm not sure if I can get them on as is.

 

[4spdragtop]

Take a look at the one George the Jet posted. Round/shorten your corners.

 

[4spdragtop]

I have that same one, works good but MAN the last crank or 3 kills the hands. Great idea with welding a socket.
Thanks!

Interesting...I had one of the cheapy-style ones laying around so I welded an old 1/2" drive socket on top of it, so I can put my cordless drill to it. Easy spring changes in or out of the car.
View attachment 1715482185

 

[4spdragtop]

I think DD realizes that rocker is for the tool only now, BUT that tool will now gouge every rocker SHAFT it goes on, unless you smooth/remove burrs or.put a liner in it.(caps are for emphasis lol)

The rocker is a scrap one that I'm dedicating for the tool only its not the one going back on the engine. But that is a good idea.

 

[Dartfreak75]

I think DD realizes that rocker is for the tool only now, BUT that tool will now gouge every rocker SHAFT it goes on, unless you smooth/remove burrs or.put a liner in it.(caps are for emphasis lol)

Yea I don't plan on using the tool on a good rocker shaft when I change springs I will pull the rockers,shaft and all and bolt down the shaft that dedicated to the tool. I thought about cutting it so it's just one section but idk yet.