Well, I am about half way through a cam change on my 1997 F350 w/ 460 and have been able to install 12 of the new valve springs with a two jaw, screw on type valve spring compressor, but I have clearance issues with the springs closest to the firewall; 1 on the driver's side and 3 on the passenger side. The last truck I changed springs on had stud mounts for the rocker arms, but my engine has the pedestal mounts. Most of the spring compressors look like they are designed for stud mounts; I don't see anything out there that looks like the compressor in the factory Ford manual. I picked up a universal, lever type spring compressor, but I am not sure how to attach it to the rocker pedestal. I looked at one of my rocker arm seats for about a second, but I don't want to screw that up, or damage the pedestal mounts. What suggestions do you have to effectively attach the spring compressor to the rocker arm mounts? Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

yes use a 5/16" bolt and a couple washers to attach it to the pedestal mount. works about like doing it with a stud and a nut.

 

Thanks! I ended up using a stud, washer and a nut. I did have to shorten my spring compressor about 5", but the job was doable, if not much fun...