craftsman, snap-on, or advance auto where can i find one?

 

Try here: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SP-91400.html

 

If you buy the snap on one, then you will need the special adapters for it so it will work on the Honda heads. You can get them from the Honda dealer.

 

snap-on.com. i bought one from them about 2 weeks ago. it is called a bridge tool. you do not need any adapter for it .

 

sorry to bring back a old thread but, i was wondering how that spring compressor works? is it like a lever? can someone draw a quick fonie diagram for me? thanks

 

Those 2 U shaped pieces with the holes get bolted down to the head, one at either end. That long rod slids thru a hole on each side so it brigdes both plates. You can then use the lever to compress the valvespring. The part attached to the lever is a hollow cylinder that allows you to either remove or install the keepers from/on the valvespring retainer. I hope you can kind of understand this.

 

I bought mine from snap-on's website...I think it was $120, like 130 shipped. One thing is that you'll need (at least on an LS head) is to use the bolts that hold on the camshaft caps. This is where the U shaped things bolt into to, but the provided ones do not fit. Some tips would be to use two poeple, you can do it alone but its much harder. Someone has to work the keeper and someone has to work the press. Also using an extension on the compressor part helps alot, youd be surprised how sore your arms can get. The best way is push the spring/retainer real far down, like at least half way down the valve stem, the who ever is holding the press should also try and keep the retainer as centered as possible around the stem then the other person manipulates the keepers, then once there both in slowly relieve the pressure on the retainer allowing to come up against the valve stem. Also small needle nose pliers and small flat head screwdrivers help. I don't know about the VTEC heads but the LS heads keepers are magnetized, so they tend to jump around and stick to stuff, bearing grease "can" help with that, just messy. It's alot of info, but once you get 2 or so in you'll see it all come together. The first two took me three hours, and I was alone, got my dad to help me and we got the other 14 done in about 30 minutes.

Also try and get the best geometry on the lever. Getting that thing to go down as parrellel to the valve stem as possible is the key to getting those retainers centered.


[Modified by Westrock2000, 2:52 AM 9/14/2002]

 

Westrock2000, good post thanks

 

To make it an even better post...

 

thanks a bunch for the info. that picture realy explained things.

i think when i get around to doing mine. ill have to bolt or clamp the head down to the bench to make things easyer.


[Modified by lamchop0000, 8:25 AM 9/14/2002]

 

This is all fine and good.. but what about the compressor that leaves the head in the car? I'm looking for one of those, makes changing retainers much easier.

 

That thing is awe some

 

The compressor that's pictured will work when the head is still on the block, in the car. The only difference being that you would need to put something in the cylinder, (air, rope, etc.), to hold the valves up when you remove the keepers.

I've read that when you compress the springs, you should only push them down just far enough to get the keepers out/put them in, and no farther. But my Helm's makes no mention of this being important. I'm guessing this means that Honda springs are stiff enough for it not to be a problem - can anyone verify this?

 

whoever took that picture is using that tool BACKWARDS

 

Thanks Steve. I just realized it today that I've been all ***-backwards about it.

I'll post another pic of the correct way to set it up.

 

Thank god you said that steve because I've been sitting hear looking at the pic thinking that, I was doing wrong. But I kept thinking"wow my way is much easier"

 

is this how its done?



quick fonie picture i made


[Modified by lamchop0000, 12:58 AM 9/15/2002]


[Modified by lamchop0000, 7:24 AM 9/15/2002]


[Modified by lamchop0000, 9:39 PM 9/19/2002]

 

Exactly what I thought when I looked at that!

I used mine on a head that was unattachech, I just stuffed a rag in each bowl as went along...however one thing to remember is that that head is gonna wanna move around when you push down on it, so I had to tie it down to the table real tight, before I could work with it. If its still in the car than your ok. If it is in the car though, you can get one of those compression testers (got mine at sears), just look for that has a thread that will fit in our engine and that the compression gauge can come off and leaves behind a air compressor fitting. That way you can hook up a air compressor to the cylinder and keep the valves pushed up.

One more thing and I'll shut up! When using the snap on valve spring compressor I found it to be very helpfull to put a screw clamp on each end of the long shaft (like those kind that hold air filters on) that way the bar cannot move side to side when you aren't pushing exactly perpendicular to the bar.


[Modified by Westrock2000, 3:44 AM 9/15/2002]

 

Hmmm...that's a sweet looking unit. I was cheap and didn't want to spring for the Snap-on unit. I modified a C clamp. Works really well, but obviously the head must be removed, which is fine since I wanted a look at the valves neway.

 

this is why i like honda-tech does the valve spring has to be compressed at a certain service point or you jsut install them,? and can you reuse your valve keepers ? or jsut buy new ones?


[Modified by Giovannie, 6:14 AM 9/16/2002]

 

Try http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SP-91400.html
they sell the same tool for half of what the Snap on costs. And don't tell me Snap on makes their tools out of a special unobtainium alloy that makes it worth the price.

 

Same tool, even cheaper - but backordered;
http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/...7&prmenbr=6970

The keepers are reusable & do not need replaced unless they are damaged.

Lampchoo - yeah, that's how it's meant to be used.


[Modified by 94gsr, 6:24 AM 9/16/2002]

 

Wow...great price. Guess that's why they're backed up.

 

i just wanted to mention that i have yet to see one of those tools that comes with the right bolts for the side brackets. You can use the distributor bolts.

Here is my install:
http://home.apu.edu/~jkillebrew/cams.html


[Modified by erniecars, 11:20 PM 9/16/2002]

 

I just posted a question asking about this tool...and i got all my answers here.. to me..should of searched first...great info guys