Installing valves with new springs

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Installing valves with new springs
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 02:31 pm:

I have ground the valve seats and lapped the valves. New springs all in the 26/28 lb range.

I must be valve spring impaired because I can't figure out how to install the new valves. Its difficult just to get the springs installed over the upper valve guide boss and the lower tappet boss....much less compress them so I can put the cupped washers and pins in.

I have and old valve spring compressor of the type shown below:


I also found this pic on the forum on how to use it:


Problem is there just no way to insert the tool as shown - you'd have to be superman to lift the spring enough to insert the tool .... the spring pressures too great.

Suggestions? Hints? Tips?

BTW I have access to a modern spring compressor loaner from the local auto parts store - if that would make it easier.

Thanks in advance
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 04:55 pm:

Bud,

The spring compressor shown in the repair manual, from memory, hooks over the intake stud and has only one end to slip under the spring. Don't know if this would help, but might if you don't have to fit both ends. See http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/454 for the commercial version, but an old open-end wrench and piece of wire has been used.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Mahoney on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 06:28 pm:

Bud,
I just finished doing the valves on my '14. Used a similar spring compressor with no problem and I too checked the new springs for proper compression. Yes, it can be a bugger getting the retainers over the end of the valve stem but not too bad. Lemme know if you need a hand or want to borrow the tool.
Ted M.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 06:36 pm:

Ted

Did you put the springs between the two bosses first and then try to jam the tool between the lower boss and the spring?

Did you put the washers on first or after you compressed the spring?

Thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Max L. Christenson on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 06:43 pm:

Interesting that in the block shown in Bud's photo that the camshaft is exposed. Didn't know camshafts were exposed to the outside on Model T Ford engines. Maybe the photo is not of a Model T Ford engine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Schreiber- Aiken, SC on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 07:08 pm:

Inspection covers are off?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 07:21 pm:

I have one just exactly like that.I bent the bottom fork at a 90 degree angle so it rest on the bottom of the oil chamber and just uses top fork to lift the spring. That way it will lock in the open position. I put the washer on and slide the spring in place first. I don't remember them being quite that strong.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Michael Rogers on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 07:27 pm:

The engine shown is a cut-away display.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 07:38 pm:

My favorite type is pictured here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/6427347313/in/set-72157628213067397/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/6427343229/in/set-72157628213067397/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/6427351263/in/set-72157628213067397/

It presses against the lower valve chamber galley lip. I have found doing valve spring work on the T little trouble but the hands and back are always sore by the end of the job.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Friday, November 30, 2012 - 09:14 pm:

With the head off it is very easy to just use a modern valve spring compressor like you would use on a Chevvy head or OHV Ford head.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Mahoney on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 12:59 am:

Bud,
I put the keeper (original style) on bottom of spring, pushed the upper part of the spring up against the upper "boss", then with me very own hands, pushed the keeper up an over the top of the lifter. Easy to compress. Then moved on to the fun part of compressing the spring with the tool and trying to fish the keeper over the end of the valve stem. Once she found the hole, twas easy compressing the spring fully and slipping in the keeper pin. Good luck! TM


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Mahoney on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 01:03 am:

forgot to mention, put the spring in BEFORE you install the valve in the valve guide. Should be obvious but... Pop the valve in after you've got the keeper sitting on top of the lifter. BTW, helps if the lifter is all the way down. Spin the crank to get it down.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 10:18 am:

Ted

That's what I was looking for! I'll give it a try this morning.

We need to get together, I'm sure both our T's have changed a lot since we last visited!

Cheers


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul griesse--Granville,Ohio on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 11:14 am:

Heres some of my valvespring compressor collection----seems like several work much better then others----Paul

valve spring comp.s


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul griesse--Granville,Ohio on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 11:37 am:

WHOOPS----sorry, wrong photo (but THIS might be a better solution....) Paul


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul griesse--Granville,Ohio on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 11:41 am:

try this

valve comp


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 12:14 pm:

Yes, very much easier to work the springs/keepers with the head off and the valve out. Just for fun, another image of a different type (pictured above) in use.

Inserted... http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/4384142660/in/set-72157623171821285

Expanded.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/4383381277/in/set-72157623171821285/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By steve miller- mississauga,ontario on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 03:30 pm:

I use a Briggs & Stratton valve spring compresser #19063. Under 20 dollars.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Saturday, December 01, 2012 - 04:01 pm:

I also tried the briggs spring tool but found it not strong enough and had trouble with the arms spreading and loosing the grip. If it is all you have, it can be made to work.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Sunday, December 02, 2012 - 12:27 am:

Thanks all for your help.

Paul: I think the first picture you posted might have reduced the stress of installing valve springs. What's the story behind the prescription? Is it real? Very interesting.

The solution proved to be simple. The old tool I had purchased had the lower fork slightly bent so it wouldn't fit around the tappet boss. A little heat and a little bending fixed that. The upper fork now slips easily under the keeper and with the handles squeezed gives plenty of room to install the pin.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul griesse--Granville,Ohio on Sunday, December 02, 2012 - 09:42 am:

Hey Bud-----Sorry for the mispost--That "prescription" is a real one "issued under authority of The National Prohibition Act" Glad to hear you were able to get your valves installed. Use my "prescription" for some celebration! Paul


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