Dale Scroggins wrote:

Nick Müller wrote:
Peter DiVergilio wrote:


where access is through a removable plate, it's the
easiest tool to use which will not bend things out of whack.


I've been looking at old plans of automobile engines of that time, with
flat head (hanging valves; if you also use this expression). I think we
are talking about the same type of construction.

And here comes the point where things get at least strange:
- Hold the tool so, that the lower fork touches the spring retainer from
the underside. That's OK. Now (practically, the other way round is/was
better) you have to force and wag the upper fork between spring (under
tension!) and valve head.

No. The tool is not intended to compress the valve spring, but merely
HOLD it in the compressed position. The valve cover on the side of the
block is removed. A valve is selected that is already open, with the
spring compressed. The tool is adjusted to slide around the lifter,
between the spring retainer and the block, below the valve. Then the
camshaft is rotated to lower the lifter. The keepers are removed from
the valve stem, and the valve removed from the block. Then on to the
next valve.

- Do you think that this is an intelligent way if you consider what for
the spring is compressed. Yes, to remove the valve. Now we do have to
look way back to the early days of 4 strokes and see how valves were
inserted. In T-heads (a sub kind of flat heads) there was a big plug
opposide of the valve throug what the valve could be pulled out without
removing the head. Now wouldn't it be much cleverer to open that plug
and use a C-clamp spring compressor?

It is much easier to use the camshaft lobe to compress the spring. The
tool merely keeps the spring compressed as the camshaft is rotated
further to allow valve keeper removal.

If you talk about flatheads without that plug, things don't change,
because the head is removed and you can easily use the C-clamp
compressor.

Valve servicing was often done with the engine in place, with manifolds
and other equipment still installed. The smaller tool was much less clumsy.



Sorry if I haven't explained it so you can visualize what I mean!!


Hope you could visualize what I meant. :-)

I'd also like to know where your knowledge is from that this tools is
for compressing automobile valve springs.

Many small gasoline engines still used the side-valve design here in the
US.

Dale Scroggins

Slight flaw in your reasoning, Dale, if it isn't used for compressing
the spring, how does one replace the valve & keepers? All the ones I
use are fully capable of compressing the springs.

Tom