I would like to put a valve spring pressure tester on my wish list and need suggestions. I would like to stay around $100 and so far the best bet I have found is this...

Moroso Seat pressure tester

I know I won't get as accurate as those costing twice as much but I don't plan on running anything on the ragged edge that I need to have the ultimate in accuracy.

I also like that I can do it on car with that one.

What have you used? What would you recommend?

 

That Moroso is desgined as a between round seat pressure checker. It really won't do anything else.

I have a Rimac. Kinda expensive new, but they are the best and will last a life time even in a production shop. What ever you pay it is worth every penny.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDi...oogle&kw=RIM67

You can find them used and in good condition for about $250-$350.

Check with Allstates equipment sales, Farris equipment sales, Mansfeild, Marvin Woods, ect.

http://www.allstates.com/

http://www.farrisequipment.com/homepage/

http://mansfieldshopequip.com/index.html

http://www.mwamachine.com/

We have bought stuff from all of them over the years and spent a lot of money. With the exception of Farris, they have all done us right, but on something as insiginigant as a $350 spring tester I still wouldn't rule Farris out if I really needed it and couldn't get it used anywhere else...

A friend has a ProForm lever type (badly executed knock off of a Rimac). I have used it, when I've been over at his shop doing side work for him. IMO, it works (kinda) but its a real PITA compared to using the real deal.
Will

 

Proform makes one for about $70 or $80 which works on springs off the head. I have one and it has a range of 0 to 600 lbs. It mounts in a bench vise and you tighten the vice jaws, which compresses the spring and the dial on the tool shows the pressure.

Once you hit the pressure you're looking for measure the height of the spring. You can do it the other way too, closed the vice jaws until the spring compresses to the height you want then check the gauge for the pressure.

I bought mine from Summit and used it when I built my 388 using Crane dual springs. If you need more details on how I set my springs, PM me.

Jake

 

Thanks guys..

Will, no doubt those are very high quality units but I think they are a little much for how little use they will get. But, hells yes on those links, definitely worth checking on a regular basis for a deal or two.

Jake, Is this the one?

Proform Valve Spring Tester

Thanks for the tip on how to use it too. I'll get in touch when I use it.

 

Steve,
I also use the proform but periodically check it against a known calibration standard. Found my to be off linearly thru the scale about 3 lbs at 100 to 12lbs. at 600 when new. I just compensate for the variance.I also use it to check installed springs by sandwiching the gage between my spring compressor and the retainer. It's crude and takes a little time but it works. I primarily just check,verify, and adjust seat closed pressure as well as coil bind this way and all other spring travel measurements are taken removed from the head on a mill table. I only use this method when changing out springs in place. The only other problem I had with the gage was a hyd. oil leak at the block fill screw which I had to reseal.For the money and no more than you would use it, it's not too bad provided you can crosscheck the accuracy of the gage against a standard.
Rick

 

Thanks Rick, I'll do that. I have a good local shop that took apart the bad motor and they have been helpful...I think out of pity:o I'll ask them to help calibrate.

Proform claims an accuracy of 3% which looks like you had at 100 and 2% at 600. Probably close enough (?) for an engine not built to the ragged edge.

 

bathroom scale sitting on your drill press...use a metal plate on the bat scale deck to distribute load or the deck will likely bend...a cardboard or scrap metal "gauge" makes height/pressure check ez...whatever you chuck up to push down on the spring (+ retainer ?) should go "thru" far enough to keep the spring from "ejecting" if loading is not held centered.