Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

That’s the type I use and it’s quite easy to figure out but turn it over where it might make more sense. The flat part goes on top of the valve head and the split end goes under the spring. Be sure to plug the drain holes in the valve area so that you don’t lose any keepers into the pan. 1940 at least have a single keeper that went through the valve stem but I believe that 1941 was the first year with the two-piece split keeper that are easy to loose.

Don gives good advice. Definitely plug the galleys.

Was the engine turning over before you started this process? If not, some Kroil or similar in the valve guides will also help.

The (edit) compressor you have should work perfectly, but I have also had success with a modern valve spring compressor, rented from AutoZone. I don't have any videos to should you, but all flatheads are similar enough, any video of removing a valve on a flathead inline motor should steer you right. Good luck!

Just to clarify, the spring compressor does just that. It does not pull the valves but simply compresses the spring enough to remove the keepers that are underneath but it’s up to you to get them out so good advice from Ken in case they’re stuck.

Here's a K-D valve spring compressor, typical of the style appropriate for L-head engines.

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  KD 70 spring compressor 1.jpg (223.14 KB)


  KD spring compressor 2.jpg (214.06 KB)

Ok great ..I see my valves are seated on a slight angle so I wasn’t sure if that would be an issue when using the c clamp type when trying to apply flat pressure?

Any angle doesn't matter and it does not need to be totally flat as you're simply compressing the spring. Once the retainers are removed, the tool is taken off and the valve pulled out by hand. As I've mentioned, the C-type is what I've always used and did so more than once on 1940 and 1941 110 engines along with various postwar eights both in-car and out.

Ok.. I’ll try it with the big boy! Let y know how I make out

I understand the concept …the fork end goes in on top of spring I’m assuming… not the bottom…it looks like my springs are pretty high up there?[PROCESSING IMAGE.... PLEASE WAIT]

I don't think you do. It goes under the spring. The point is to lift up the bottom of the spring so that the retainer(s) can be removed.