so is there a particular brand of valve spring compressor that you guys that have done springs in the truck prefer? Getting ready to swap springs and am curious of the best brand/design that will do the job.

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

Everyone tells me Cummins has a tool, but I've never been able to get a part number out of anyone!

Chris

 

i use the one with the star wheel on top, i forget what brand it is. but you need to wear a glove, that thing will have your hands raw by #6. it is short enought to get under the cowl. i open it up all the way, clip it on the spring and then thread it down as far as i can to compress the spring as much as possible[before i compress it with the star wheel]. then i place a small refridgerator magnet on top to catch the retainers when i hit it with a mallet to free the keepers. in the back i just use a pry bar to pop the retainers free. and the best way i have found to get the piston just right is to compress the spring, and press the valve down into the cylinder, then spin the motor over [by hand]till you see the piston push the valve up to tdc for that cylinder. way better than counting revs. ok there is all my super secret spring change info. whoops almost forgot, when you put in the new springs, thread them into the valve spring compressor to get them compressed as possible, other wise they are a p.i.t.a. to get compressed enough to get the keepers in.

 

WOW! Sounds like good info. I need to chang out All my springs, sometime

Chris

 

thanks guys....I knew someone would give up the recipe. I was thinking the top nut style but was worried about cowl clearance. I usually don't do springs in the vehicle, therefor only have an assortment of bench type compresors. Before I bought one specific for this truck I wanted to know what worked and what didn't.

Good advice on the TDC method as well. I most likely would have overlooked the obvious and pulled the injectors or something crazy like that.

Thanks again
Chris

 

got...DIESEL?...........
swing by the store on your way back I've got a couple that might work you just have to eye ball'em