LSM valve spring tester

[Jesse Knapp]

I don't remember the shim amount off hand, been 3.5 yrs. since I sold the engine, but I have a note book somewhere with everything logged. I will find it and post the shim amounts. I had LSM's removal tool as well and never had any problems with it. Just off my head I'd say the stands are not shimmed up high enough. Is this a Jesel system? If so, a checker tool should come with the purchase of their product. Unscrew the part that sits directly on the spring retainer all the way up to allow complete clearance. Maybe their is some machining defect (bolt to shaft allignment) or maybe you have the wrong puller for your application. Who's system are you using? I wouldn't alter the tool, but I would call LSM and talk to them. I am not an expert but I did enjoy working on my stuff. I had never done any work with springs on any of my bracket engines. I had always brought the heads or the car to someone else but when I went to superstock, I became fascinated with valvetrains. So I talked to a superstocker friend and a stocker friend the does heads for a living and started maintaining my own stuff. Also worried my head off about springs and lifter life. Having said that, I am not a pro, but I will tell you what I do know, if it will help you.

[Jesse Knapp]

Looking at my notes the installed height was 2". Length of your valve and retainer thickness dictates the distance between the backside of the retainer and the spring pocket. In my case, I had the long valves, with Comps retainer, forgot the thickness of that, my shim thickness ranged from .100 to .120 on intakes, .150 to .165 on exhaust. At some point I had changed the retainers to thicker ones reducing the shim thicknesses, but can't find those notes. A good installed height mic. is necessary here. Is this a chevy engine and a smallblock? Back to the removal tool, when installing it make sure it clears the spring while sitting on the mount before bolting it up. I mentioned shim height b/c if the tool touches the spring before you bolt it, it doesn't line up right. Other than that call LSM and maybe the shaft system co. as well. Hope this helps.

[Jesse Knapp]

Looking at my notes the spring pressures were 340 to 350 max. on seat. You might give Tim Cole a call at Comp Cams. He races in superstock with a modified engine. He is very knowledgeable and really opened my eyes regarding the simple pushrod. After that, my wallet opened up wide as well. He solved a problem I had, though. Well worth it.

[Rick Shirey]

Jesse,yes this is a small block chevrolet using Jesel shaft rockers.After checking my bracket engine this morning I went back to the superstock engine and tried again to use the removal tool.I did manage to make it work and removed four springs total.Then using my Rimic bench tester I compared readings and found quite a difference,with the bench tester being lower but more consistant.The four I tested were between 305psi and 310psi with the bench tester and between 350psi and 270psi with the LSM.I will say the lower reading ones were on cyl #7 which is the hardest to get a nice straight pull on.I also tried to calibrate the LSM as the instructions state,but it really didn't change much.While I had the springs off I experimented with shims and found .030"shim changed psi by 15psi.At this point I think I will compare my bench tester with another to make sure those readings are correct.Still doesn't explain the low readings with the LSM.Thanks again for your assistance.

[Jesse Knapp]

I would try the Moroso tool again and compare readings. It's good to have the bench tester.