Alternate Valve Spring Compressor

[Cruzen]

Hi - It seems K-D Tool's 3087 valve spring compressor tool is hard to come by these days. Advance Auto has them in their catalog but they are out of stock. I wanted to find out if anyone has an alternative valve spring compressor tool they've used and can recommend.

Also, anyone ever used Esslinger's spring compressor and/or their opinion of it? http://store.esslingeracing.com/cart/rocker_arm_tool-details.aspx (http://store.esslingeracing.com/cart/rocker_arm_tool-details.aspx)

Thanks

[MikeFleming]

If you're looking into taking the springs/retainers/keepers off with the head on the engine, then the KD tool is more better - for stock strength springs. The Essy tool has much less clearance in the inside where you need to get the keepers in/out than the KD tool.

For stringer than stock springs, the KD tool is kinda flimsy and the handle is too short - leaves a nasty dent in your hand.

[Chuck]

I bought the Essy tool and widened the rockers to allow more room for the spring keepers removal/replace. With the right tweezers you can do it easily.