Here's the latest story from BoredandStroked- and man, he can tell a story!
"So, I start looking at the cam, looking at a valves, looking at the lifter blocks and decide that it is possible for about 3 out of 4 valves to be in the block and still slip the lifter block in (only one lobe is 'up' and will interfere). On the 4th valve, I'll assemble it and then make a special valve spacer (goes under the open valve head on the deck) - to hold it open so I can slip the lifter block in AFTER the valves, springs and keepers are in. Seems like a plan . . . but wait, the plot thickens - just like my waist . . .
Okay . . . but how the hell am I going to compress the springs and assemble the springs, retainers and keepers? There is no obvious way to compress the springs and get the keepers on! So I stare at it for awhile longer and decide that Cadillac must have made special tools - so I'm going to make a special 'Spring Compressor' tool! Got my imagination going - God gave me a brain, so I best try to use it.
So - I decide to create a cool little tool the has a bottom piece that fits over the cam lobe (which keeps it centered), has a cutout radius to follow the cam shank diameter (1.00"), then a bolt to use to compress the spring, then a special 'Top Cup' that has a shelf in it to hold the retainer.
I made the cup piece on the lathe - then welded a bottom on it.
I used the mill to cut a window out of the side of the cup - so I can get the keepers in. Also, the cup will save my butt when I drop keepers . . . as you know you will and they can hide in all sorts of places in the bowels of the engine.
So here yah go - my 'Compress O' Matic' tool - fresh from the lathe, milling machine and tig welder."