tearing down and rebuilding an engine first time

Many years ago, building an Alfa Romeo engine, I had to remove the valves and bought, at the time, a Craftsman (Sears) valve spring compressor which was made for ohv engines without much clearance issues on the springs and retainers. I had to, as I recall, cut a piece of tubing so there was a notch in one side, and I taped it to the head of the compressor and it worked like a charm but you still had to give it a lick with a hammer to dislodge the locks.

"here is the extension I made for my valve spring compression tool. It is made from a 1" black iron pipe nipple. "

Very nice - stick a AN part number on there and sell it for 75 bucks!

another tip don't stick your fingers in to retrieve the keepers use a small magnet just like I was told when I did my apprenticeship .....never stick your fingers where you wouldn't put your willie

True all that but when you can buy one for as little as $18.99 and it works out of the box........

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trks ... &_from=R40

sean said:

another tip don't stick your fingers in to retrieve the keepers use a small magnet just like I was told when I did my apprenticeship .....never stick your fingers where you wouldn't put your willie

Click to expand...

i'll keep that in mind!

i was hoping to get the top end tore down and cleaned before i left for boot camp but it looks like it will have to wait. thanks for all the advice guys, i'll be back in a couple of months and then i'll have a little money to actually get started in this.