I need a valve spring compresser that will work with my 3VZE. I can't find one that doesn't contact the lifter bore. Can someone chime in and tell me what they use/where they got it. Thx!

 

Are you using it to change shims?
....or to rebuild the heads?

 

Rebuild.

 

Like this ?


Thats from NorthernTool.com

 

That won't work - at least I don't think it will. That type needs to be able to grab the sping, which is down in the lifter bore. For the 3zve I need one that looks like a big c-clamp. I found a Craftsman that was close but the end that depresses the spring was too big.

 

I think if it is down in the bore you need a compressor like this.
That is why I asked what you were trying to do with the head:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2467159106



See how it has a large and a small end to it?

 

That looks right. Thanks. The small and large are for different size bores, I presume? I think Toyota's SST uses detachable adapters.

 

A Toyota mechanic friend of mine let me copy his tool design for my Supra w/5MGE. It's a triangular piece of steel, with an access hole in the middle, and a couple other holes in it.

First, I put shop air in the spark plug hol to keep the valves shut, after the cams were removed, you bolt the tool down on the spring using the holes where the cam was bolted down, and when tightened, it would compress the spring, the remove the valve spring keepers, then loosen the tension, and remove the spring.

I used this method when I changed the valve-stem oil seals. I don't know if it'll work with the 3VZE, but I thought I'd throw out the possible option.