The Euro Export valve spring compressor is probably the best one for our heads. It makes tearing down the head a dream.

link: http://www.euroexportinc.com/mitsubishi-4g63-valve-spring-compressor

Good Luck

Nothing works faster than this.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=645403&group_ID=675633

If you are really DIY, you can use a large C clamp and a notched socket as a spring compressor. It works, but obviously Slid3RMonk3y's idea will work better since it's specifically designed for this engine.

I used the Euro Export tool when I did my head and it worked pretty dang slick! Definitely made it a breeze to remove the valve springs.

Having used both the snap on and the euro export tools, the snap on tool is faster at removing the valves and the Euro Export tool is easier to put them back on. That's just my personal experience. I have owned the euro export for 4yrs now and used it MANY times and I love it.

Anyone ever use the OTC 4572?

http://www.amazon.com/Schley-Products-91400B-Universal-Compressor/dp/B004IQHRBM

I hate the euro tool as its specific to opt the 4g63 head, while it works well you are very limited to what you can use it on.

For a bit more you can get a universal kit so you have the ability to do other cars, and not only one type, if you ever switch platforms or work on your other cars.

donniekak said:

Nothing works faster than this.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=645403&group_ID=675633

Click to expand...

..or this, exactly the same but cheaper.It's just a little too wide for the center cam towers. I ended up cutting a groove on the side of a deep socket and inserting a magnet inside of it, hammered on it using a rubber mallet and a short extension. Just be careful not to cut into the cam journals with the chopped side of the socket (ask me how I now...)

Both the Lisle and the Snap-On tool work very well. They are also easily used with the head in the car should you need to replace valve seals.

The Lisle tool also comes in a 2 pack to cover a variety of sizes if you do a lot of head work. I personally picked up the Snap-On tool off the truck for 30bucks and it has performed well on a variety of heads so far.

The snap on tool works well to remove them but what about installing them, the euro will do both.

talonesi95t said:

The snap on tool works well to remove them but what about installing them, the euro will do both.

Click to expand...

SnapOn and Lisle also 'claim' the tool can be used for installation. While I have no doubt they can I never personally used it for that purpose.

i've used the snap on style to install, it sucks.

That's such a useless tool if it only works well to remove keepers since a socket with magnet will do the same thing. Id go for a universal one like i posted if working on multiple cars. Works in the the car or on the bench or the the euro if sticking only too dsm's.

This shows the Lisle tool in action at about the 7:43 mark. I haven't used it personally, but looks like a handy tool.

I've never had problems installing the valve keepers with the snap on tool. You have to be able to press down with around 100lbs of force for most spring setups.

I have used the Snap-On tool to remove and install at least half a dozen sets of valve springs. The more seat pressure the spring has, the more pressure will be required to install the keepers. It was kinda difficult on some Cheverolet 350 aftermarket (higher seat pressure) valve springs. Keep in mind, your muscular strenghth plays a role here.

For the DSM, I only use my hands (with the addition of the tool of course) to press the keepers into place. You can also use a 5 lb dead blow to hit the tool to install the keepers. This was the method used to install the Cheverolet valve springs.

952g63t said:

Anyone ever use the OTC 4572?

Click to expand...

That's what I used. Worked fine.

donniekak said:

Nothing works faster than this.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=645403&group_ID=675633

Click to expand...

First time ive ever seen one like that. Might just have to buy one for use in the future.

^^^ Those suck, nice theory but they dont work for squat for installing cotters.

User error.

I have the one that lasthope05 is talking of and it is the best valve spring compressor you can buy for working while the head is on the car, not only for dsm but just about any import as well. I got mine off the matco truck but STM sales them to as bluepoint brand.

motomattx said:

^^^ Those suck, nice theory but they dont work for squat for installing cotters.

Click to expand...

Not sure what a cotter is but the keepers are efficiently and effectively installed when this tool is properly utilized.

robertbaxley03 said:

Not sure what a cotter is but the keepers are efficiently and effectively installed when this tool is properly utilized.

Click to expand...

The cotters are what most non techs refer to as the keepers. Manufacturers generally know them as valve cotters. Any tool that requires a person to subject a valve spring, spring seat , and keeper to the shock of a hammer to install them is a piece of junk that will never see the light of day around my engine.

The cam lobes exert more force to the valve springs and seats during normal operation than a non metallic hammer does during installation. You are doing nothing more than compressing the valve springs.

Do you actually have a tool suggestion that may be useful to the OP?