At first I tried with one similiar to this when I was switching from stock springs to some dual coil springs:
http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/3283...essor-Tool.htm
That was hell!!

Then someone on the board told me about this one and it became a cinch.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/2922...Compressor.htm

You have to disassemble and reassemble it for the back springs. Pretty easy. I'm sure someone has come up with something similiar and cheaper.

 

I know this is going to sounds like a dumb question. How do you keep the valve from falling into the cylinder??? Do you have to bump the car over to make sure it is on TDC on each cylinder you are working on?? I just always wondered how this is done

 

Exactly.

 

Yes you have to bump each one to TDC to prevent the valve from falling into the engine.

 

any other opinions

 

I was curious myself as to what you do once the piston is at TDC to break the keeper lose from the retainer. I'm assuming that you shouldn't pry the valve against the piston because that could bend the valve... Does any one have any ideas as to what can separate the two? Thanks

 

there is a tool at pepboys that is amazing. get it, you will see. it has a handle, and the handle also can come out and you can use a bolt to wrench it down

 

You rap the retainer before you put the compressor on it. That should loosen the retainer from the lock. (as mentioned in the write-up on my Tech Page)

 

Get the tool that goes on the studs. It will be well worth the money.

My hand SERIOUSLY was getting sore by the time I was on the 6-7-8 cylinder using the traditional, old school, spring compressor. I had to use a large washer on the TOP of the spring since they were bee hives, other wise it kept wanting to bind/compress at an angle/slip off.

 

I agree with some of the earlier posts....I got the Crane Valve Spring Compressor from ThunderRacing. It works wonders with the heads still on the car and you can do two at a time. It may seem pricey at $115.00 but well worth it with the heads on.

 

Get the tool. When I changed my springs to double it was a pita.

 

taking off springs sucks no matter how you do it. Get the most expensive tool, and hold on to the reciept. The cheap tools are a pain in the ***.