Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,

About to start my first engine rebuild, I have most mechanics tools but I don't have a valve spring compressor. There's 101 kinds on fleaBay, can anyone recommend a style/design/brand?

Also if there are any other specialist tools I'll need for the strip-down/rebuild then a heads up would be great. I know I need a micrometer/vernier set for measuring bores etc. How much should an accurate set be?

Thanks,

Edd

This - or something like it - is the type to get.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-Valve- ... 20d15e7418
You should also have a torque wrench (although I managed just fine without one for many many years...) . Tool to measure bores is very specialised - best to just judge the wear with a finger nail - and if worrysome - take it to a rebore expert.

Your fingernail will do to measure the bore, if it will catch in the ridge it needs a rebore.

Great thanks for the info. Was intending to re-bore with new pistons anyway so I have an 'as-new' engine.

Already have a torque wrench, dad raced midgets in the 70s although his interest in getting covered in oil seems to have waned a little with age. Came in handy when I was stripping wheel studs like they grow on trees, didn't realise what a low torque they need.

So no need for micrometer or anything like that?

Many thanks

Edd

You will also need a piston ring compressor

Dad MUST have had a valve spring compressor...... Micrometer - handy to have but not absolutely essential. Vernier caliper will do the trick if used carefully. Feeler gauges will be useful..... And an A/F socket set.....

I recently bought a valve sprang compressor recommended for A series engines, and it was too short for my 950 head although it seemed able to do the 1100 valves (just!).
I hunted round the workshop and found a lovely 'fully adjustable' compressor that works wonderfully, the same used by my Dad for his Mini(s) etc nearly 30 years ago..

An old Sykes Pickavant would be the valve spring compressor to go for, ideally not paying more than a fiver.

I have always used an old hand-operated pillar drill to good effect, with a small block of wood cut to fit in the combustion chambers so jamming the valves.

Interesting method, but how do you get at the collets ? Some sort of adaptor between the drill and the valve? Cheers JohnG

An old 3-inch wood screw with a largish head in the chuck pushes the valve spring down so I can get at the collets with a pair of pliers.

N.B. Edited to read 'pushes valve spring down'. I know what I mean!

How does that work?
You say you use a block of wood to jam the valve, then you're pushing the stem down with the pillar drill.
You need to push the spring down, not the valve.

I will upload pictures. Well spotted, Katy - I meant to say spring.