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 Posted: Dec 31, 2016 07:55AM
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No, once you whack the valves lightly as suggested they loosen up and compress easily.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Dec 30, 2016 03:50PM
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US
Hmmm.  The BFH method, eh.  Thanks Alex for the tip, I wasn't using the tool correctly.  Maybe I need to lengthen the arm for more leverage.

 Posted: Dec 30, 2016 12:25PM
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I've seen people use ratchet straps. I never have, but it seemed logical.

Mark Looman, Ada Michigan 1967 Austin Cooper S
 Posted: Dec 27, 2016 05:52AM
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US
Due to the taper the keepers/collets fret into the retainer much like the flywheel taper. Some people lay the head face down and use a socket and hammer place socket over valve stem and tap straight down several times. I gently tap one edge of retainer till it changes tone. Be careful as I have chipped the edge on a couple over the years. Once they release the tool works much better. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Dec 27, 2016 02:03AM
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GB

I'd suggest you are in fact operating it wrong...

The screw is to adjust the final depth of compression, but the actual spring compression is done by moving the arm.

You do however need to deliver a light hammer blow to the spring retainers to free the collets of their stiction before compression, or you'll just start bending the tool.

 Posted: Dec 26, 2016 05:54PM
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I agree that the valve spring compressor can be difficult to use. I have constructed a home made version of this tool, and I adapt it whatever I am working on. I place a "spacer" under the valve. The tool shown I found on Amazon UK

 Posted: Dec 26, 2016 04:37PM
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I'm reasonably sure that I now how to operate the tool-center one end of the tool over the valve spring cap, the other on the valve, snug it down with the fulcrum handle, then compress the spring using the twist handle, and remove the collets, right?  The problem that I run into is that the tool tends to wander a bit while tightening to compress the spring.  I can handle it, just looking for a more simple way.  Then there is always the c clamp and socket method...

 Posted: Dec 26, 2016 04:02PM
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I have used the same one for 25/30 years. Seems you may not understand how to operate the tool. You have to free the keepers/ collets from the retainer first. then it works just fine. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Dec 26, 2016 02:56PM
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Is there another valve spring compressor that is less cumbersome than the one offered by our host (sorry Don)?
I've gone through a couple of those and am looking for another option.