Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello to the forum as this is my first posting. Could anyone please direct me to a tool that is available from an auto parts store/cycle shop or something home made that will compress the valves of the twin cam to allow removal of the retainers and keepers? Thanks for any information and insight. Jerry Poole

I have a picture of a very simple tool from as twin-cam tuning book I can e-mail next week when I'm back home.
E-mail me if (when) I forget....
James

I've used this type for years. Should be widely available.

https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/automot ... stBid=tztx

You really need a deep set one for a twin cam engine as the springs sit in pockets. This one works a treat (Ebay item number 351306688429):

www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_t ... 9&_sacat=0

Or if you aren't removing the head and just need to attend to the springs/retainers/collets use a ratchet tie down strap as demonstrated by someone else on this forum - pure genius that trick!

I understand this is a very good valve spring compressor for the TC-I don't have this type but intend getting one since I am sick of fiddling with my 35 year old item:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-2609-Valv ... 1527003488

This is the cheapest source I have found:
http://www.thetoolacademy.com/laser-260 ... -946-p.asp

At that price, even with shipping to the US it is relatively cheap.

Davidb wrote:I understand this is a very good valve spring compressor for the TC-I don't have this type but intend getting one since I am sick of fiddling with my 35 year old item:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-2609-Valv ... 1527003488

This is the cheapest source I have found:
http://www.thetoolacademy.com/laser-260 ... -946-p.asp

At that price, even with shipping to the US it is relatively cheap.

Yes you need a deep throat compressor to fit around the head and then the extension in the valve retainer end that can reach into the valve pocket like shown in this post.

cheers
Rohan

I bought one just like the eBay one shown above in one of the auto spares places like Auto zone, O'Reilly's, or some such. Same dual size/reach adapter. Just the job, cheap too.

The Sealey one has an over centre lever arm at both ends not just one and it's cheap. Once set up it makes very quick work of compressing the springs. Slide it on, press the levers at both ends down and presto the retainer is off.

Is this the Sealey unit you mean? 2cams70?
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4572-Large-S ... 0JMXDP9J8S

It looks good as long as the depth is sufficient.

This what i use made from a piece of old water pipe and a "G" clamp


Alan

The one I used was a Sealey VS154. If you google that you will come up with quite a few hits. The Amazon one appears to be the other style that has two different sized retainer adapters and the lever on one side of the compressor only. The Sealey VS154 only has one size retainer adapter but fits the Twin Cam perfectly and allows good access to remove the collets. It also has lever arms on both sides of the compressor rather than just one.

Either style probably works OK. All I can say is that I purchased the Sealey VS154 and it worked really well.

P.S Haven't tried it on any French engines yet but if it works on them it's guaranteed to work on anything !!

Not available in Norf America--pity!

In the past whenever I've faced that issue in having things shipped from the UK I've used these freight forwarders:

https://www.forward2me.com/

It gives you your own shipping address in the UK ! I have found their service to be very good and their shipping charges to be quite reasonable - even better if you consolidate items prior to shipping. They ship using DHL.

If the missus wants to do some shopping in a UK department store you could consolidate all the important Lotus stuff with that and then have her put in a contribution toward the shipping !

If the shipping address is in the Uk doesn't that mean that you pay VAT?

What i posted above the piece of steel pipe with the cut out to remove collets easily is from a book "Tuning Twin Cams " by David Vizard. I have used this method for over 40 years. The "G" Clamp threads between the Inlet Tracks easily. The foot rests on the Valve head perfectly no problem. Same Tool can be used to remove Bendix on a Starter Motor also. The dia of the pipe is just a little smaller than dia of Cam Buckets.
Alan