I borrowed a Moroso valve spring compressor (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MOR%2D62370) and wow, this thing is great. I've struggled with various type of spring compressors but this is the best yet. It works so great I wish it could be used for other things smile.gif . The long handle comes off for use in tight spots like near the master cylinder. The 5" attached handle is a bit harder to push than with the 12" extension but still very doable. A very useful tool. Recommended!!

A friend has one and he loves it, i saw him using it the other day and man does it look easier and much safer than the old school C clamp style.

I've got the summit brand version of that (cheaper price but probably made by the same company). I agree...that thing is awesome. I have always used a old Lisle compressor with 2 hooks that you squeeze to compress the springs but it doesn't work for dual springs. That tool even works great if the heads aren't on the engine...much better than the old c-clamp style.

I have one of the Lisle tools and it is rather difficult to use. The only good thing is you can take the lever off and use a bolt.

Had that one for years; works excellent!

Jody

Used mine this past winter, worked great! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Travis, I thought I was just sufferring from " amatuer-itis" with that Lisle compressor and duals. Ended up having to muscle the spring to compress and carefully putting the locks on while I was pushing down hard. Wish I knew about this puppy!

Originally posted by 427L88:

Ended up having to muscle the spring to compress and carefully putting the locks on while I was pushing down hard. Gene,

The beauty about this tool is that once you compress the spring, it will "lock" in the compressed position so you can install the retainers and locks.

You mean the Moroso, and not the Lisle I assume. Had one spring set end up in the back of the garage! Thank God it didn't hit Old Red's paint! Had a palpitation I did. My luck, swapping in inner springs and then need a quarter panel reshot!

In fact, I got the Lisle recommendation here. Maybe even from Pat.

Thnx Pat and Darren , good to know!

Yes sir, I meant the Moroso.

I use the "Summit" one too and love it. I even found a way to take it apart and reassemble it on the stud to get at the valves that have tight access (like the two under the power brake booster on a 1st gen Camaro)

Just put a little wheel bearing grease on the shaft every now and then so it keeps working smooth.

Gene, I did the same thing the first time I tried using the Lisle tool on a set of dual springs. I was able to muscle a few on but after nearly taking my head off with a 140# seat pressure dual spring and losing the valve locks out in the yard somewhere, I bought the right tool :D

I borrowed a friends summit version and noticed that the angle of the forks were off a little so I corrected it and it worked great. So then I bought my own and it had the same angle so I corrected it too. I have not tried it on a small block, just big blocks. Maybe the angle is better for use on small blocks.

What kind of spring pressure is that thing good for?

I dont know, I've used it on maybe 400 lbs open pressure with no trouble but the buddy I borrowed one from says it wont handle the springs I have now ( 500 open ). But maybe he doesnt really know. There was no range with the tool.

I have one also, works great especially nice that you can take it apart to get into tight areas like the booster

I've got what looks just like that one made by Pro-Form I think. Bent it up on some 1000 lb springs, had to weld in a bunch of reinforcements to keep the fingers from bending. You might want something heavier duty for big springs.

I also have the Proform from Summit, $49.95. Works perfect for me so far. Looks Identical to the Moroso $79.95. Works on 3/8 or 7/16 studs. I'm sure both are from China..

I use the Summit one, but had a hard time getting the retainer to center over the valve stem. The locks were a little tricky.

The locks were a little tricky.
I had the same problem with the locks, hard to unseat.

I know it sounds rough but I take a socket and give the retainers 1 quick shot to break them free of the locks.

I was gonna say hey Pat!! Where have you been, but I see someone revived an older post :( I think Pat sold his racecar and disappeared:confused:

Awe, shucks you guys!

All I have is a POS Craftsman "C" jobber that I had to tie-wire to keep it from spreading and a cheap Lisle hand "strip-steel/crow-bar" jobber that I haven't used yet.

Guess I'd better save my nickels and my dimes??

pdq67

I can say from experience that the proform tool will not compress a spring with 685lbs open pressure. The forks will bend like Uri Geller staring at a spoon :(

Yeah, the fingers that reach out over the spring retain are thick but soft. This was handy for me a few years ago when a buddy turned up with a Pontiac Super Duty 4-cyl in a midget. I used a large Ford tool to pound the fingers out flat to work on the Pontiac head. The rocker studs and valve stems were parallel. That thing had pretty nasty springs, 250 on the seat and .700 lift.

Bob, yeah its almost funny when someone revives an old post and the people have moved on.

Pat closed his business making high quality specialty HVAC tools after low quality Chinese knock offs invaded our shores. He was in a financial crunch and sold his race car to bridge a rough spot. I've talked with him in the meantime a few months back, he's doing okay.

Thomas