$0 Homemade Valve Spring Compressor (and a question)

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: $0 Homemade Valve Spring Compressor (and a question)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 05:54 pm:

I just bought a pliers type valve spring compressor off ebay, but I wanted to see the condition of the valves now, before it comes.

This emergency valve spring compressor let me remove a valve in just a few seconds. Not a tool I'd want to use every day, but it works surprisingly well.



The loop of safety wire goes around a manifold bolt, the open end easily pries up the keeper so you can remove the pin. A coat hanger would work as well as safety wire.

The question: Is that an original valve or some kind of substitution or remanufacture?

I think the two small holes in the valve face are visible.

Thanks
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. J. "Art" Bell on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 06:38 pm:



Most reciprocating valve lapping tools can use those two holes.

Regards
Art


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Seth - Ohio on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 07:06 pm:

Oh Wow! your valve spring compressor looks like a Steve Jelf invention. Be careful he may want royalties.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 07:13 pm:

Dennis

Ya know, that thought crossed my mind !! ;o)

schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 07:50 pm:

The bill is on the way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 08:26 pm:

Steve can only collect royalties on the bailing wire version. Yours should be safe.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George_Cherry Hill NJ on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 08:34 pm:

Steve has probably already gone out to his stash of left over long handled open end finds from his bulk 'find' purchases and made up 6! :-):-)

Careful Schuh....went I saw the title I too thought it was another Steve Jelf 'frugal Ford mechanic' invention coming...:-)

A bit of a Paradox...Schuh is from Florida, Steve from the California back to midwest? Let Fred Dimmock pipe in to explain it better but....I think the literal term is 'YANKEE INGENUITY' ? (sorry, couldn't resist)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 11:34 pm:

Usually Model T valves with two holes for lapping are old two piece originals and shouldn't be used today due to risk for corrosion between the parts over the years and (I think) thus greater risk for breakage now than when they were new.
A picture from any other side of the valve will confirm if it's the two piece style.
Here's a sectioned two piece valve in a cut away engine:
two piece valve
(picture by Dan Treace)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 11:48 pm:

Dan

This is a pic of the other side of the valve. I'm not sure how well it shows, but where the stem enters the valve body its a smooth radius and not squared off.

Is the squared off shoulder indicative of a two piece valve ?



The valve measurements are a bit odd I think

Stem diameter: .310
Valve diameter at top: 1.485
Length: 5.033

I thought diameter would be 1.500

schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 11:50 pm:

Oops

Sorry Roger ...... I saw Dan's name at the bottom and a small brain fart occurred !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 12:03 am:

That looks like a modern replacement valve - I would use it if it cleans up and seals and isn't too worn in the guide area.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 12:33 am:

LOL.
Yes, the step indicates a "two piece" valve. The cast iron head I think (?) was cast onto the steel stem. They were used for many years with only occasional nasty failures.
But when I got into this, it was considered good advice to not use them because with age and corrosion and unknown millions of hammerings when running, they were no longer reliable.
Usually, I do not agree with that sort of reasoning. I do not want my antique autos to be updated and improved to the point they are no longer antiques. Most of the technology used on a T was and is good to use today. (As long as proper care is taken with driving habits.)
But with two piece valves, I am totally on the side of replace them. I have known a few too many T people that have had two piece valves come apart while running. A few were lucky. A lot of noise, replace the valve, and continue on their way. A few others, totaled engines. Split blocks, bent rods. Even forty years ago, a rebuilt engine was about $1000. Gone for a two dollar valve.
I will take my chances on old axles, brakes, and suspension. Baring flipping a car, or similar disaster, I can rebuild or replace almost anything that can break on a model T, for a couple hundred bucks. But the cost/risk ratio for a two piece valve? Just isn't worth it. And I am so cheap, I make Steve Jelf look like a drunken sailor.
Drive carefully, and wear a funny hat! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 01:25 am:

I'll drink to that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 06:03 am:

Steve;
You'd drink to anything. Me 2. LOL


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 08:14 am:

Looks better than the valves that came out of my engine! Here's one of them. The scary part is that this valve came out of a running engine! Now I have a new set of valves.
Worn valve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 10:12 am:

Thanks all for the help!

Wayne, sounds like your T philosophy is similar to mine.

We could start a committee of the forum called the frugalmeisters. I nominate Steve for chairman.

George, thought you might enjoy this pic of a houseboat for sale, taken not far from me. Down here its called redneck engineering. (that's a pickup camper shell on the top).



schuh


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