mikekirby1
06-08-2014, 04:17 PM
I was ready to do my cam swap last weekend and forgot to order the valve spring compressor tool so I decided to make one. It worked perfectly so I thought I would share it to help anyone else wanted to make one. Maybe this will help you make yours a little faster. I probably had about 8 hours into making this thing but I didnt have time to wait for it to come in. Attached is a pdf which can be used as a template to make one with notes. This is the spring compressor that I was trying to duplicate.
97080
Base Plate
97072
1. Cut 1/4 inch steel and drill holes to match the template.
2. Tap the bottom hole for 1/2" all thread and put about 2" of all thread in the hole.
3. Weld the bottom of the all thread to the base plate.
4. Weld 1/4" of washers to the two top holes to make it sit level with the valve cover stud in the middle.
5. I added 1/8" thick steel plate around the "tongue" to strengthen it but it may have been overkill.
Spring Plate
1. Cut 1/4" plate to match the template in the attached pdf or use 1/8" steel with a lip around it for strength. I used 1/8" steel channel that I had available.97072970739707497075970769707797078
Clean it up with a grinder, wipe a little bondo on it to make it pretty and paint it.
Then I had to install the balancer and couldn't find the all thread anywhere in town. Fastenal usually carries it but they were out of stock. I found a thread over on the Trail Blazer SS forum with a handy tip for building one. TBSS link (http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85825) Buy the $12 coil spring compressing tool in the picture from Harbor Freight. It has the right threads and nuts included. Find some kind of spacer and it works perfect for installing the harmonic balancer.
97079
Hope this helps someone.
97080
Base Plate
97072
1. Cut 1/4 inch steel and drill holes to match the template.
2. Tap the bottom hole for 1/2" all thread and put about 2" of all thread in the hole.
3. Weld the bottom of the all thread to the base plate.
4. Weld 1/4" of washers to the two top holes to make it sit level with the valve cover stud in the middle.
5. I added 1/8" thick steel plate around the "tongue" to strengthen it but it may have been overkill.
Spring Plate
1. Cut 1/4" plate to match the template in the attached pdf or use 1/8" steel with a lip around it for strength. I used 1/8" steel channel that I had available.97072970739707497075970769707797078
Clean it up with a grinder, wipe a little bondo on it to make it pretty and paint it.
Then I had to install the balancer and couldn't find the all thread anywhere in town. Fastenal usually carries it but they were out of stock. I found a thread over on the Trail Blazer SS forum with a handy tip for building one. TBSS link (http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85825) Buy the $12 coil spring compressing tool in the picture from Harbor Freight. It has the right threads and nuts included. Find some kind of spacer and it works perfect for installing the harmonic balancer.
97079
Hope this helps someone.