Valve spring compressor
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 72
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If you have access to an air compressor and a cylinder compression tester - take the air hose that comes with the compression tester and take out the check valve - just like a tire valve stem in the end. Screw the hose into the sparkplug hole of the cylinder you're working on. The quick coupler on the end of the hose matches craftsman and alot of other (non lincoln) quick couplers - connect it to the air compressor through a regulator and set it about 30 pounds. Pull the piston up to the top of it's stroke for that cylinder and turn the air on. Keep it flowing while you are working as some will blow by the rings. If your valves are sealing well, this will hold both of them closed so you can change the springs.
The compression testers that Sears, Advance and Autozone sell have the hose that works for this schrader type check valve comes out of one end and it has the same quick coupler as most people use - very convenient. Of course you can make a similar hose a bunch of different ways, but this one is already set up.
If you don't have a compressor, I've heard that taking the cylinder to the bottom and slowly feeding clothes line into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and then bringing the piston up will push the clothes line up and hold the valves shut, although I've never tried this method.
Good luck.
The compression testers that Sears, Advance and Autozone sell have the hose that works for this schrader type check valve comes out of one end and it has the same quick coupler as most people use - very convenient. Of course you can make a similar hose a bunch of different ways, but this one is already set up.
If you don't have a compressor, I've heard that taking the cylinder to the bottom and slowly feeding clothes line into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and then bringing the piston up will push the clothes line up and hold the valves shut, although I've never tried this method.
Good luck.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
No- just a small screw driver will pull them out - one tip - take a 1/2 deep socket and put it over the valve stem on the retainer - smack it with a hammer once or twice to free up the keepers if they are stuck. Not hard hits, just taps. Then when you put the spring compressor on, they will release easier.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,656
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