Anyone done this? If so, how hard was it and where did you rent your spring compressor at?
Ive heard its a PITA w/ the heads on the car..I just need to add a few shims under my springs is why I am doing this..

Thanks

Cody

 

Taking them off is the easy part. Getting them back on is a bit more difficult, I used a Proform "lever" type spring compressor that screws onto the rocker stud and it was a PITA getting the locks in because it could not compress the spring without getting unaligned the further I compressed it. I eventually got it to work but not without modifying the compressor. Not to mention the two rear cylinders were more difficult to deal with the the others, but you can do it.

There is another type of valve spring compressor called a KD Tool, I think that compresses the spring without using the rocker studs, just do a search and you will find it, I believe SHOEBOX used this tool in his cam swap guide.

 

I've done this on the car with my double valve springs and it's a bitch. It all depends on the tool. I have the one that screws on the rocker stud with the lever but not enough room to use it. I had to use the small twist **** handle style that has 2 legs to grab the spring and compress it. You can put a ratchet and socket on top of it if you remove the **** which makes it slightly easier.

 

Thats what I thought I would hear

How long did it take you guys?

Cody

 

Cody - do yourself a favor and get the moroso spring compressor from summit. I installed the 977s (triple vavlesprings) with the heads on the car. Have a buddy there to help turn teh motor over and you'll finish it in a couple hours. The 977s have over 400lbs open seat pressure...couldn't have done it with the pile of doodoo screwtype compressor.

This tool is worth the 60-70 bucks.
Ryan

 

I tried the Proform tool, too and had the same problem. It looks like the Moroso tool, but apparently is not the same enough. The screw type one will work on springs that have a flat inner spring, but just barely.

 

I tried with the one they rent at autozone- impossible. I had the Crane 10380's- WITH THE HEADS OFF THE CAR!

I got them on pretty easily with the clamp/skrew on one- but the heads were off the car

 

I bought an Autozone $7.00 lever type spring compressor, cut the handle off with an angle grinder and love it. It fits just fine under the firewall (back of block) while the engine is in the car and a simple ratchet pulled the double springs down with ease. It just fits over the rocker studs.