LSM valve spring tester

Rick Shirey · 05-29-2009, 08:42 PM

I just purchased an on head valve spring tester and I am finding it varying quite a bit.Reading seems to change depending on how the piece that contacts rocker arm is rotated.I am trying to square it up the best I can.Any tips? Thanks in advance.

RJ · 05-30-2009, 08:22 AM

I have the same tester, I get the best repeatability making sure it's centered up and the roller is 90 degrees to the rocker, but I always pull 3 times to be sure.

5919 SSKA · 05-30-2009, 08:29 AM

Make sure you have it shimmed correctly for your application...

Jesse Knapp · 05-30-2009, 02:54 PM

One of the best tools I ever bought. Mine would vary a bit, not much. Since this is a crude or awkward sort of way to perform this while the engine is in the car I found that paying much attn. to position on the rocker and pulling with both arms while in as good a position as possible gave me close results. Also, I pulled it at least three times as well. After each pull I would reposition it again on the rocker. I had the most difficulty when near the firewall (69 camaro). Mine was Jesel shaft rockers (superstock) with plenty spring pressure. Hope this helps.

Rick Shirey · 05-30-2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the input.Up till now I have been using the Moroso on head tester and decided to step up to the LSM unit.One reason was because I could not test #7cyl and some of the others I wasn't able to get a good straight pull on.This is on a modified superstock engine that I use Manley Nextex spring part#221447.The springs are suppose to have 340lbs at 2'' when new.Right now I have less than 30 runs and the springs are between 340lbs and 280lbs.Is anybody using this spring and how many runs or at what psi do you replace springs?Once again thanks in advance.

Jesse Knapp · 05-30-2009, 10:09 PM

I used Comp springs and their cam as well. They were 1.650 diameter. I did use the long stem valves and don't remember the installed height, but I do remember seat pressures were 350 to 360. Also, after a few passes they would "set in" a few lbs less. They would stay there for maybe forty or so passes. By then pressure would drop to around 300, but in my case this was all the valves. I would then shim them up to around 340 and go on racing. When they went down to 270/280 or so, they came out. I usually went the yr. on one set. My point to you is.......if, after 30 passes your pressures vary that far apart, either you are taking your readings wrong or you have some bad springs. And you can get a bad one from anybody. As I said, after a few passes, I checked them and they all dropped a bit, but not much. I would say about 340 from 350 or so. If I had one drop to 280 or so I'd take it out. Bad spring. I'd be willing to bet you are not comfortable with the LSM tool yet. I did have Manleys on my heads when I first bought them, and they were 1.6250 springs. Didn't work with them much. I sent the heads to Layer and went with Comp cams and springs. Recheck your springs pulling with both arms making sure, as much as possible, you do not pull slightly right or left. Believe me, you will do that in such a minor way that it's hardly detectable and it will mess with the readings. Humans are just not that exact. Hope this helps you.

05-29-2009, 08:42 PM	#1
Rick Shirey Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	LSM valve spring tester I just purchased an on head valve spring tester and I am finding it varying quite a bit.Reading seems to change depending on how the piece that contacts rocker arm is rotated.I am trying to square it up the best I can.Any tips? Thanks in advance.

05-30-2009, 08:29 AM	#3
5919 SSKA Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN Posts: 284 Likes: 20 Liked 19 Times in 5 Posts	Re: LSM valve spring tester Make sure you have it shimmed correctly for your application... __________________ Racing web page

05-30-2009, 02:54 PM	#4
Jesse Knapp Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: LSM valve spring tester One of the best tools I ever bought. Mine would vary a bit, not much. Since this is a crude or awkward sort of way to perform this while the engine is in the car I found that paying much attn. to position on the rocker and pulling with both arms while in as good a position as possible gave me close results. Also, I pulled it at least three times as well. After each pull I would reposition it again on the rocker. I had the most difficulty when near the firewall (69 camaro). Mine was Jesel shaft rockers (superstock) with plenty spring pressure. Hope this helps. __________________ Jesse Knapp 4899 STK, SS

05-30-2009, 08:46 PM	#5
Rick Shirey Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: LSM valve spring tester Thanks for the input.Up till now I have been using the Moroso on head tester and decided to step up to the LSM unit.One reason was because I could not test #7cyl and some of the others I wasn't able to get a good straight pull on.This is on a modified superstock engine that I use Manley Nextex spring part#221447.The springs are suppose to have 340lbs at 2'' when new.Right now I have less than 30 runs and the springs are between 340lbs and 280lbs.Is anybody using this spring and how many runs or at what psi do you replace springs?Once again thanks in advance.

05-30-2009, 10:09 PM	#6
Jesse Knapp Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: LSM valve spring tester I used Comp springs and their cam as well. They were 1.650 diameter. I did use the long stem valves and don't remember the installed height, but I do remember seat pressures were 350 to 360. Also, after a few passes they would "set in" a few lbs less. They would stay there for maybe forty or so passes. By then pressure would drop to around 300, but in my case this was all the valves. I would then shim them up to around 340 and go on racing. When they went down to 270/280 or so, they came out. I usually went the yr. on one set. My point to you is.......if, after 30 passes your pressures vary that far apart, either you are taking your readings wrong or you have some bad springs. And you can get a bad one from anybody. As I said, after a few passes, I checked them and they all dropped a bit, but not much. I would say about 340 from 350 or so. If I had one drop to 280 or so I'd take it out. Bad spring. I'd be willing to bet you are not comfortable with the LSM tool yet. I did have Manleys on my heads when I first bought them, and they were 1.6250 springs. Didn't work with them much. I sent the heads to Layer and went with Comp cams and springs. Recheck your springs pulling with both arms making sure, as much as possible, you do not pull slightly right or left. Believe me, you will do that in such a minor way that it's hardly detectable and it will mess with the readings. Humans are just not that exact. Hope this helps you. __________________ Jesse Knapp 4899 STK, SS

05-30-2009, 08:22 AM	#2
RJ Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 248 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: LSM valve spring tester I have the same tester, I get the best repeatability making sure it's centered up and the roller is 90 degrees to the rocker, but I always pull 3 times to be sure.

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