Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: Catch22! on October 23, 2022, 10:03:41 PM

Title: How does this work?
Post by: Catch22! on October 23, 2022, 10:03:41 PM

I picked this up at a flea market.  It says Millenium Parallel Valve lifter.   The mechanism goes up when you screw the butterfly nut in.  I am trying to understand exactly how it works.

Title: Re: How does this work?
Post by: amecks on October 24, 2022, 05:01:41 AM

This would be for use on a side valve engine.  Valve access is on the side of the cylinder head.  The valve head faces up, the spring and keepers are facing down.  The tool goes in flat side against the bottom of the valve chamber.  The slotted side goes under the valve cap and lifts it off the valve end, freeing the keepers. 
I used this type lifter on old Ford and Massey Ferguson tractors.

Title: Re: How does this work?
Post by: oldgoaly on October 24, 2022, 10:00:11 AM

side valve = flathead, 
English to American translation <smile>

Title: Re: How does this work?
Post by: john k on October 24, 2022, 11:55:39 AM

Side valve = flathead =L head engines,  can think of 7 different L head engines, pre 1966.   Old valve spring compressors have been finding me lately. 

Title: Re: How does this work?
Post by: amecks on October 25, 2022, 05:09:57 AM

old goaly, Ha Ha!  It figures - I have 4 Brit bikes in my garage (though none are "side valve).

Title: Re: How does this work?
Post by: oldgoaly on October 25, 2022, 12:03:35 PM

I have a few old ones, a couple of more with Villiers 2 stroke motors.But My shoulders are bad so I stay off of them.

Title: Re: How does this work?
Post by: Bill Houghton on October 25, 2022, 02:35:22 PM

Quote from: john k on October 24, 2022, 11:55:39 AM

...can think of 7 different L head engines, pre 1966...

And, of course, there were way, way more L-head/flathead/side-valve engines than that over the history of internal combustion engines.

Rambler offered them up to 1965, says one source on the interweb; I believe it was the last American manufacturer to do so, unless Checker, with its flathead Continental engine was later.

Harley continued offering a flathead motor on its Servicar (three-wheeled motorcycle, used by many a parking enforcement officer) until 1973, because motorcycles avoided emissions controls way longer than automobiles.