Valve Spring Compressor

[aj81spider]

I have a spare engine that came with one of the cars. I'm disassembling it to see what is useable and to learn how the engine goes together without actually destroying a car. Currently I have the head off, cams removed, and am trying to get the valves out. I purchased a valve spring compressor of the style that has two hooks that hook over the coils of the spring and a plate that gets screwed down to compress the spring. This is a link to the one I got.

http://www.harborfreight.com/universal- ... 92900.html

My problem is that the spring is compressing by pulling the coils up to the top so that the keepers do not get exposed. Am I doing it wrong or is this just a bad style of compressor to do this job?

Thanks for any help.

[124JOE]

i have a little spring compresser it has two hooks and a place for your thumb
its a bitt smaller and pushes down on the top washer
i would shoot a pic but i cant find it right yet

[majicwrench]

That compressor will work, although that style is designed so you can pull springs with the head on the car. But it work, a little slow tho.
The problem you are having is the keepers (the little half-moons that go around the valve stem) are stuck to the retainer. Smack down on the retainer or the tool with a small hammer and the retainer and springs will pop away from the keepers. Give it a smack. Even before you use the tool, take a socket and hammer and smack all the retainers to break em loose.
Keith

[124JOE]

thats cool thanks