valve spring compressor recommendation

I bought a $45 c-clamp style valve spring compressor from NAPA. It works alright for removing the springs but trying to re-install them it is less than adequate as the top claw tends to slip off the spring making it very difficult to get the keepers in.

Can anyone recommend a good compressor that will work on my '85 vf700f? If I have to buy the stock replacement I will but if there is something out there below $75 I'd be very happy.

Thanks.

 

I was on another website SOHC and a guy on that site did a very creative thing.
He just put the cylinder head on his drill press table and used a metal rod and modfied socket to push down the valve spring.

You could probably use part of the tool that you got to push the valve spring down with the drill press.

 

you could make an open tube extender for your valve compressor where it goes on the retainer. could use a piece of conduit or cooper tube. something along those lines. cut a notch out, just leave about 1/4 of tube per side(top bottom) to push down with. then you could slide the keepers in the other two open sides. Something like this ( ).

Or use a big washer at the claw and grind the center out (like a ring) to where you can get the keepers in.

 

After failing at modifying the one I bought, I picked up one of these Amazon.com: Lisle 36200 Valve Keeper Remover and Installer: Automotive It's one of those valve keeper remover/installers that you just push and wa-la. Or so I thought. I tried this out tonight and it seems too good to be true. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but I feel like this thing does not get the keepers on all the way. Has anyone used one of these and if so, any tips? I can get the keepers on with this to the point where it looks like they are on OK but I thought I read somewhere that if you do a sharp tap on the spring with a deep well socket and hammer, the keepers should not come out? I dunno, maybe I am just over thinking this and trying too hard to get the keepers looking exactly how I want them...

Lucas

 

I use a short piece of tubing ,aboot two inch's long, and cut into the side with a hole saw so I can get into it with a seal pic and thin needle nose pliers when compressed.

 

You ARE over thinking it a bit.
When they are in they are in. They are in.
I would not pound on it with a hammer.

What I do not like about those tools you bought is that they are probably for car engines. I am not saying they won't work but I like to see the keepers fall into position.
With those tools you bought you don not get to see the keepers.

I would just push down with a drill press and that way you can see them .

 

Done carefully and with the head supported so the valve won't touch anything, a couple of hammer taps confirms that the keepers are inserted properly and helps to seat them if they're not.

 

Even the rocker arms do not POUND on them it just pushes them down.