FE Valve Spring Checker and Removal Tool

[66FAIRLANE]

For a while now the old 390 has been hitting a wall at at 6200rpm. If I persist it bends pushrods. It used to spin to 7000rpm with no issues so I thought a valve spring check would be in order. I bought a pressure checker from Summit ages ago and have only just got around to making my insitu tool. Here are some pics.

Machined down some old rockers and stands, welded the rockers together, cut and old 1/2" square drive socket and welded it to the rockers and made a cup for the spring checker to sit in so as not to damage it.




To check spring pressure you need to stack 2 stands and an extra 15mm spacer.




If the springs need replacing then remove the extra stands and checker and the tool can be used to pop the collets.

[ToddK]

So when do you start marketing and selling them?

Seriously, that is great tool, especially as it can be used for 2 purposes. If you ever feel like making another one, let me know, I'd be interested.

[jayb]

That is a pretty cool tool.  How will you use the valve spring checker?  Will you be looking for a certain amount of spring compression, or is it primarily going to be checking for the spring pressure on the seat?  If you are going to test for some amount of open pressure, how will you measure the amount of spring compression?

[66FAIRLANE]

Was planning on using the checker with either two ways:

1) Just a visual as the valve starts to move for seat pressure
2) Dial indicator for both seat (as needle moves) or over the nose (full cam lift on the clock).

I did the welds without cleaning off the years of oil and crap. Wish I had cleaned em first as the poristy in that top weld looks aweful in the pics. Might have to grind it out and do it again, thats embarrassing!