Warning: LS7 Valve Spring Compressor
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Bay Area CA
Warning: LS7 Valve Spring Compressor
I am currently in the middle of a cam swap on my 2008 Z06. I already installed the new cam and the next step is to replace the stock valve springs with the patriot extreme double valve springs. I bought the crane "LS7" valve spring tool from summit racing for the job (PN 99475-1). It was an attractive tool for a number of reasons: (1) It mounts to the head and holds the spring in its compressed position so both hands are free to swap the springs; (2) it does both intake and exhaust springs at once; and (3) (not really important but) it is a handsome tool.
The tool simply does not work for an LS7.
At first I thought the tool was misboxed. The part number on the box was correct but the tool just does not mount to an LS7 head. The instructions that also come with the tool state “NOT FOR LS7” and provides instructions for an LT1 motor. Granted the instructions don’t mean much since a lot of companies provide one set of generic instructions.
The real problem is that the LS7 rocker arm mounts are not flat like an LS3. They are radiused. The tool has a flat bottom. The base of the tool sits so high that the top of the base is higher than the top of the valve spring, making it literally impossible to compress the spring. I called summit and they overnighted another one to me.... and it is the same as the previous tool.
Summit claimed that Crane says it works for an LS7.
But if you go to the Crane website, they do not list any tool that they claim to work for an LS7. The 99475-1 part number does not even exist on their website.
LS7 do-it-yourselfers beware: Do not buy this tool.
I just ordered a lingenfelter valve spring compressor. I hope it does the job. The tech assured me that their engine builders have been using it on LS7's but we will see. If it doesn’t work, this is going to cause a serious delay in finishing my build. I was hoping to have the car up and running this weekend.
Aside from sharing my experience, I was just curious if others have had a similar experience with this Crane tool from Summit and what valve spring compressor others have been using?
The tool simply does not work for an LS7.
At first I thought the tool was misboxed. The part number on the box was correct but the tool just does not mount to an LS7 head. The instructions that also come with the tool state “NOT FOR LS7” and provides instructions for an LT1 motor. Granted the instructions don’t mean much since a lot of companies provide one set of generic instructions.
The real problem is that the LS7 rocker arm mounts are not flat like an LS3. They are radiused. The tool has a flat bottom. The base of the tool sits so high that the top of the base is higher than the top of the valve spring, making it literally impossible to compress the spring. I called summit and they overnighted another one to me.... and it is the same as the previous tool.
Summit claimed that Crane says it works for an LS7.
But if you go to the Crane website, they do not list any tool that they claim to work for an LS7. The 99475-1 part number does not even exist on their website. LS7 do-it-yourselfers beware: Do not buy this tool.
I just ordered a lingenfelter valve spring compressor. I hope it does the job. The tech assured me that their engine builders have been using it on LS7's but we will see. If it doesn’t work, this is going to cause a serious delay in finishing my build. I was hoping to have the car up and running this weekend.
Aside from sharing my experience, I was just curious if others have had a similar experience with this Crane tool from Summit and what valve spring compressor others have been using?
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 716
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From: Bay Area CA
Crane did go belly up, but they are back. I am going to be getting a refund for both compressors that summit sent me. But the entire experience has been very frustrating to say the least.
Unreal - do you have a part number for your compressor?
Unreal - do you have a part number for your compressor?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,097
Likes: 5
From: Brentwood World's first A6 in the 9's (including N/A, blower, turbo and nitrous cars) 9.950@139.267 CA
I am currently in the middle of a cam swap on my 2008 Z06. I already installed the new cam and the next step is to replace the stock valve springs with the patriot extreme double valve springs. I bought the crane "LS7" valve spring tool from summit racing for the job (PN 99475-1). It was an attractive tool for a number of reasons: (1) It mounts to the head and holds the spring in its compressed position so both hands are free to swap the springs; (2) it does both intake and exhaust springs at once; and (3) (not really important but) it is a handsome tool.
The tool simply does not work for an LS7.
At first I thought the tool was misboxed. The part number on the box was correct but the tool just does not mount to an LS7 head. The instructions that also come with the tool state “NOT FOR LS7” and provides instructions for an LT1 motor. Granted the instructions don’t mean much since a lot of companies provide one set of generic instructions.
The real problem is that the LS7 rocker arm mounts are not flat like an LS3. They are radiused. The tool has a flat bottom. The base of the tool sits so high that the top of the base is higher than the top of the valve spring, making it literally impossible to compress the spring. I called summit and they overnighted another one to me.... and it is the same as the previous tool.
Summit claimed that Crane says it works for an LS7. But if you go to the Crane website, they do not list any tool that they claim to work for an LS7. The 99475-1 part number does not even exist on their website.
LS7 do-it-yourselfers beware: Do not buy this tool.
I just ordered a lingenfelter valve spring compressor. I hope it does the job. The tech assured me that their engine builders have been using it on LS7's but we will see. If it doesn’t work, this is going to cause a serious delay in finishing my build. I was hoping to have the car up and running this weekend.
Aside from sharing my experience, I was just curious if others have had a similar experience with this Crane tool from Summit and what valve spring compressor others have been using?
The tool simply does not work for an LS7.
At first I thought the tool was misboxed. The part number on the box was correct but the tool just does not mount to an LS7 head. The instructions that also come with the tool state “NOT FOR LS7” and provides instructions for an LT1 motor. Granted the instructions don’t mean much since a lot of companies provide one set of generic instructions.
The real problem is that the LS7 rocker arm mounts are not flat like an LS3. They are radiused. The tool has a flat bottom. The base of the tool sits so high that the top of the base is higher than the top of the valve spring, making it literally impossible to compress the spring. I called summit and they overnighted another one to me.... and it is the same as the previous tool.
Summit claimed that Crane says it works for an LS7.
But if you go to the Crane website, they do not list any tool that they claim to work for an LS7. The 99475-1 part number does not even exist on their website. LS7 do-it-yourselfers beware: Do not buy this tool.
I just ordered a lingenfelter valve spring compressor. I hope it does the job. The tech assured me that their engine builders have been using it on LS7's but we will see. If it doesn’t work, this is going to cause a serious delay in finishing my build. I was hoping to have the car up and running this weekend.
Aside from sharing my experience, I was just curious if others have had a similar experience with this Crane tool from Summit and what valve spring compressor others have been using?
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Bay Area CA
If you look on LS1Tech.com there's a guy who sells a similar tool in that it bolts onto the heads where the rockers go but it only does one spring at a time.
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Bay Area CA
Well, I was able to use the lingenfelter spring compressor to replace all my valve springs. Although the tool did the job, it was still kind of a pain having to hold it compressed with one hand while trying to insert the tiny locks with the other.
It would have been way easier to have the spring held in the compressed position, snap the locks into place around the valve stem with both hands and slowly release the spring. Tim's tool on ls1tech seems to be the ticket. And at 1/3 the price, well worth it. I will defnitely be picking up one of those for future jobs.
Thanks for all the responses. I hope this thread helps others avoid the wrong tools.
It would have been way easier to have the spring held in the compressed position, snap the locks into place around the valve stem with both hands and slowly release the spring. Tim's tool on ls1tech seems to be the ticket. And at 1/3 the price, well worth it. I will defnitely be picking up one of those for future jobs.
Thanks for all the responses. I hope this thread helps others avoid the wrong tools.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Have a broken valve spring...
Hey buddy, I'm new to the forum. Wondering if I'd be able to borrow your valve spring tool. I'm located in fremont.
Had a secondary valve spring go bad on me.
QUOTE=thesubfloor;1575539311]If you look on LS1Tech.com there's a guy who sells a similar tool in that it bolts onto the heads where the rockers go but it only does one spring at a time.
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher[/QUOTE]
Had a secondary valve spring go bad on me.
QUOTE=thesubfloor;1575539311]If you look on LS1Tech.com there's a guy who sells a similar tool in that it bolts onto the heads where the rockers go but it only does one spring at a time.
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher[/QUOTE]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Opelika Alabama
S&S bought them, Hot rod Harley motors S&S
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
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From: Texas
Hey buddy, I'm new to the forum. Wondering if I'd be able to borrow your valve spring tool. I'm located in fremont.
Had a secondary valve spring go bad on me.
QUOTE=thesubfloor;1575539311]If you look on LS1Tech.com there's a guy who sells a similar tool in that it bolts onto the heads where the rockers go but it only does one spring at a time.
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher
Had a secondary valve spring go bad on me.
QUOTE=thesubfloor;1575539311]If you look on LS1Tech.com there's a guy who sells a similar tool in that it bolts onto the heads where the rockers go but it only does one spring at a time.
I've used it several times on my LS7 and it's always worked great. I just noticed that you're also in the Bay area (I live in Brentwood) so I could even lend it to you if you want. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Christopher
2010 is calling and would like its thread back.
Seriously, either PM the original poster or start a new thread. One that's roughly 7 Years old is dead and gone
Last edited by 96GS#007; Jun 7, 2017 at 10:11 AM.
