[Roadsters] Valve spring compressor tools

[Paul]

Linda,

  At Sloan Racing, we use cotton rope!  Stuff as much into the cylinder
through the spark plug hole with the piston at the bottom of the stroke.
Then turn the motor over by hand until the cylinder is pushing hard against
the rope.  Compress the valve spring and pull the keepers.  Install new
seals, compress the springs and re-install the keepers.  Turn the motor
backwards to lower the cylinder, and pull out the rope.  And since you've
used cotton rope, and only cotton rope, any threads left will go up in smoke
without damaging the motor.  I used this method on my Ford Cortina back in
1972, and have been using it ever since.

  The compressed air tools/systems are nice, until your compressor stops, a
power failure, blown fuse, busted hose, or bad rings let the valve drop!

Paul
Ohio

-----Original Message-----
On Behalf Of ljordan704 at netscape.net


Hi List, 
I posted this to 311 also, but thought i would try here too. Which of the
following tools would work the best for an on the car valve spring removal?
This is a Sears link showing many different kinds of compressor tools:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=valve+spring+compresso
r&relatedwords=valve+spring+compressor+tool&x=0&y=0
It is a 1600 and No the head does not need to come off. I want to put some
valve seals in this weekend but have never done that before. I know the
steps but getting a compressor to work is the main problem.
Thanks!
Linda