I'm looking for a valvespring compressor(c-clamp type) that will work on my D16Y8 retainers. I picked one up at Pep Boys, but I was reading the package, and it says the smallest retainers it will work with are 7/8" retainers. I pulled my valvecover and measured my retainers, and they're about 13/16", a bit smaller than 7/8". Does anyone know where I can get a valvespring compressor that will work with 13/16" retainers? Should I just try bending the prongs on the one I have? I don't have an air compressor, so all those "on-the-car" type valvesrping compressors aren't really an option. I need the C-clamp style to hold the valve shut while I compress the springs and remove the keepers and retainers.

 

^

 

snap-on makes one it's 175.00 works really well

 

I use this $50 knock-off of the snap-on tool. Works perfectly.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOSn&TEST=Y&productId=297037&categoryId=0

Anyway. It's at northerntools.com just do a search for "valve spring".


[Modified by TimoneX, 10:24 PM 3/7/2003]

 

who makes it?

 

You need an air compressor to hold the valves closed with those two, right? Or can they be used without a compressor?

 

Couldn't tell ya. It comes in a generic green & white box and has a generic molded plastic case. I've used it 3x since I picked it up and it works perfectly.

 

You need the air compresser to keep the valves from falling when you remove the keepers w/ the head still on the car. I always remove the head to do valve train work though, leaning over a car that long gives me a backache.

 

So you can use it without an air compressor if you pull the head? Do you just lay the head on some folded up towels or on a workbench or something? I'm going to be changing my valve stem seals for the first time.

 

Yeah. You don't need air if you have the head off. Sure it's your valve seals that are leaking? A good rule of thumb is if it smokes when you're accelerating it's the rings, if it smokes when you're decelerating it's the valves seals. Good luck.

 

It actually doesn't smoke at all out of the tailpipe, but if I open the oil filler cap, it smokes a bit out there, and my compression on #3 is 90psi and it goes up when I put oil in there and retest. My dipstick also popped out under boost when this started, spraying oil all over the underside of my hood. I'm assuming it's my #3 rings, but I'm just going ot change the seals anyway because they're like $0.70-0.80 a piece. Thanks for all the help.

 

NP good luck bro.