Tool for facilitating the removal and replacement of engine valve stem springs and seals

Abstract

A tool for the removal and replacement of valve springs on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine while the cylinder head is either mounted to the engine block within the vehicle or is positioned on a work bench apart from the engine. The tool comprises a bracket component that is mounted by a number of bolts to the cylinder head to be worked on. The bracket includes a number of upright threaded bolts each associated with an adjacent upright guide. A pressure plate is progressively positioned on each set of the upright bolts and upright guides. Beneath the pressure plate are positioned two (or more) valve guides that engage the outer upper perimeter of two or more valve springs. A nut is threaded on to the upright bolt in a manner that forces the pressure plate and the valve guides downward onto the valve springs. Compression of the springs releases the split rings or collars that hold the valve springs to the valve stems. The end of the valve stems that incorporate the split ring attachment mechanisms are allowed to move upward into the valve guides while the perimeter of the spring is compressed. In this manner the split ring can be removed and the springs released upon removal of the nut from the threaded upright bolt. The pressure plate may then be moved to the next upright bolt on the bracket to effect removal of the adjacent set of valve springs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.