Gives Mechanics Use Of Both Hands

Aircraft maintenance engineer Jolly Higdon, president of Airborne Flying Service Inc of Hot Springs, AR, has developed and patented a series of valve spring compressor tools for Lycoming and Continental piston engines. The tools allow mechanics the use of both hands to remove and replace springs, keepers, stems and guides, rocker arms, spacers, push rods, push rod housings and cylinder hold-down nuts.

The Valve Wizard, mounted to the cylinder on-engine, allows easier access for removal of the parts and in turn, the removal of the cylinder from the crankcase. The most valuable asset with the Valve Wizard, according to Higdon, is the time saved on removal and replacement of the cylinders.

Higdon invented the tool after years of frustration using the typical lever bars for which constant pressure against the spring must be maintained by one hand, leaving just one hand to access the top-end parts. With Valve Wizard, the cylinders remain bolted to the crankcase while relieving the tension on the springs, saving several hours labor per engine.

Valve Wizard attaches firmly to the cylinder head by use of the rocker cover bolts on each cylinder. Threaded shafts compress the springs and maintain hands-free compression during the process. Both intake and exhaust valves can be worked on at the same time, reducing maintenance time significantly. The tool is designed to allow wide, unobstructed access to the springs, keepers and stems.

"On a typical 4-cylinder engine the time saved will pay for the tool first time out of the box," says Higdon. "I approached the solution focusing on strength and simplicity, and the result is apparent. Injection-moulded, high-impact plastic with steel inserts and compressors, the Valve Wizard attaches quickly and allows full access to the keepers, guides and stems, on parallel and angle-valve engines."

The Valve Wizard comes as a kit of three at a price of $339, or $139 each if ordered individually. The three models cover Lycoming O-235, O-290, IO/O-320, IO/O-360, AEIO-360, O-435, IO-480, IO-540 series and Continental O-470, IO-470, IO-520, IO-550 and TSIO-520 series engines. The tools carry a comprehensive lifetime limited warranty.

The US Patent Office awarded a patent for the design in December 2006. Full production began in May.

FMI: www.valvewizard.com