C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Valve spring compressor tool.... how does this one work?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2016 | 11:44 PM
  #1  
doublec4's Avatar
doublec4
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Default Valve spring compressor tool.... how does this one work?

While it's not for my C5, it is tech related. I'm in the process of changing the rockers and valve springs on my 3800 L67 so I picked up a valve spring compressor tool from my local tool store. On the box it states that it will remove/compress the valve springs without removing the cylinder head... It comes with no manual / instructions / pictorial and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to use this without having to remove the head. Every other valve spring compressor that I've seen that looks like this hooks around the head once it is removed... which is clearly not what I want to do.

Can anyone see how this is supposed to work?



Thanks!
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2016 | 11:59 PM
  #2  
493lszosix's Avatar
493lszosix
Pro
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 660
Likes: 181
From: Knoxville TN
Default

You have to remove the head for that one, one end goes against the bottom of valve and the other compresses the spring
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2016 | 12:04 AM
  #3  
CalF's Avatar
CalF
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 50
From: Chambersburg Pa
Default

Reply
Old Mar 14, 2016 | 01:21 AM
  #4  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

take it back and buy one like in the video posted above, lots of companies out there make them and they will run you roughly $75
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2016 | 09:03 PM
  #5  
Paul 75 L82's Avatar
Paul 75 L82
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Default

Take that back and buy this.


Reply
Old Mar 15, 2016 | 12:46 PM
  #6  
v6turbo87's Avatar
v6turbo87
Pro
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 126
From: Sandown NH
Default

As you probably know, with any on head valve spring removal tool you need to make sure you prevent the valve from dropping into the cylinder when you remove the spring.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2016 | 08:27 PM
  #7  
Zealot06's Avatar
Zealot06
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 12
From: Lancaster Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Paul 75 L82
Take that back and buy this.
You can't beat this tool. Used one to do my valve spring swap.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2016 | 08:46 PM
  #8  
Paul 75 L82's Avatar
Paul 75 L82
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Default

Summit sells a nice kit and screws into the plug hole to connect your compressor to keep your valves up. It works great.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 15, 2016 | 09:12 PM
  #9  
doublec4's Avatar
doublec4
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Default

Thanks guys. I ended up making my own tool from a steering wheel puller. Works great and didn't cost me a dime since I already had it. Saved me the run around too.

I've finished one bank, leaving the other side for tomorrow. I've put each cylinder at TDC and used the compression tester hooked up to my compressor to provide pressure... although I did let the pressure drop a few times and I noticed that the valves still stay up with the "stick-tion" from the valve stem seal.

I'm actually putting LS6 springs in my 3800 supercharged engine so this remains somewhat Corvette related
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Valve spring compressor tool.... how does this one work?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:34 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE