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MG TD TF 1500 - removing valve springs

Just when I thought I could figure out most anything, I am stumped!
I first bought a universal spring compressor from HF. It seemed that it would compress the spring from the bottom up and therefore not reveal the keepers. Then I made up a quick homemade device shown in the attached pic. I tried placing the copper end on the valve head and the other end atop the spring. Nothing compresses.
What am I missing here?? Some days I feel like a genius and other days, well…..not so much.
Thanks- Mark

Mark Butler

Mark...I doubt that your setup is strong enough to compress the springs. You need something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valve-Spring-Compressor-8-Universal-Adjustable-Automotive-Engine-Repair-Tool-HD-/111106860674

I'm not advocating this one...it might not be strong enough either.

Gene
Gene Gillam

Gene- On my first try I put a 1x4 across the bottom of the head. I was able to compress the springs up to the point the valve head reached the board. The springs compressed without too much effort. This is a first for me. Shouldn't the spring washer slide down the valve stem as the springs are compressed, revealing the keepers? Forgive me if I almost sound like I know what I'm talkin' about. I don't.
Mark Butler

Mark,

My guess is that when you tighten the threaded end on your homemade device you are just jamming the sliding horizontal arm against vertical guide. The harder you tighten the tighter it jams, and the part with the ring doesn't move at all in relation to the sliding arm.

Nice job on the fabrication, it looks great, but if I'm right, I think it is a doomed effort.

If this is the HF one you are using, then I can see it won't work, either:

http://www.harborfreight.com/universal-overhead-valve-spring-compressor-60335.html

You need the style that Gene has identified. I have one from HF, but I don't see it in their online catalog at this point.
David Littlefield

I have the compressor that David L. linked. It works fine, but take some getting used to for use. I catch the spring coils as far down as possible then tighten it until it start pulling the spring up, then, with a large socket between the head of the valve and the work bench top, I smack the spring compressor on the top with a rubber mallet, which breaks the spring keeper away from the cotters that hold everything in place. I then compress the spring further until I can pick the cotters out of the recess in the valve stem. You may be able to apply my procedure, using the compressor you have using an appropriate size of a long socket to break the keeper from the cotters first, then use you compressor to push everything down, but you may find that the washer you have attached to the top end of it my not be up to the stress it will be applied to it to compress the spring. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

David- Thank you, you are correct. It was staring me right in the eye the whole time.
Luckily it was only an $11 lesson.
Gene- Thanks for the link. Off to eBay now.
Mark Butler

Mark,

Looking again at the HF compressor, it might actually work, although I've never used that style.

See this website for an illustration on how it is supposed to work:

http://www.enginerepairshop.com/valve-spring-compressor.html

Looks like it is supposed to squeeze the spring from the top and bottom simultaneously and then leave room to remove the keeper. The springs on the TD engine are small, though, and maybe a "universal" tool works great on big American V8 springs and not on XPAGs.

In your reply to Gene it seems to me you are saying that the valve is moving downwards as you press the spring down. That isn't going to get you there. You need to push on the bottom of the valve to keep it seated while you are pushing down on the spring.

Edit: Just saw Mr. DuBois' post on the universal style which indicates it can be made to work.
David Littlefield

Smacking the spring compressor to free the spring keeper is a good idea; they tend to get stuck.

I have used similar home made compressors until I found a very old but professional tool at a yard junk store for next to nothing :-).
Willem van der Veer

There are some other options here from the archives for consideration.

http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?1,2280902

Nice one for @50.00

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Engine-And-Transmission/Valve-Spring-Compressor/8003725.p

But the Drill press method looks real interesting - Not sure if my cheap one would do this but worth the try I guess before spending $50.00 good ones :)

Rod
R D Jones

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2014 and 11/03/2014

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