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Installing compression releases

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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 07:47 PM
  #1  
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Default Installing compression releases

Several years ago I did a big bore top end. In the process I had head work done. While I was at it I had compression releases installed. A week ago or so the rear one must have backed itself out while I was out and about. I have new ones in hand, but the 1/2 socket won't fit over the button. I threaded it into place with my fingers until it wouldn't turn any more, but the socket won't go on to torque it down and now I can't back it out because the cap spins before the threads do.
 
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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 08:10 PM
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Special socket. https://www.jpcycles.com/product/423...hoC5JYQAvD_BwE
 
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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 08:45 PM
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the tool in the above link is speciafically for the compression releases the S&S came out with for their big inch evo engines back in the day. you are going to need to make a trip to the tool store and buy a deep socket of the correct size and might have to deremel out some of the interior of the socket to make clearance for the plastic button on the comp release. take a unit to the store with you and try a few different brands/styles of sockets till you find one that either works or will take minimal work to make the needed clearance for fit.
m
 
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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 08:49 PM
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Some of the releases the cap can be removed as they are snapped in place. Take a look at the underside of the cap before trying to pop one off and see if it looks like you can. The only other thing you can do has been said above.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2019 | 06:26 AM
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i use a regular 1/2 deep socket on the releases we install here, (AV&V) but have taken out many different brands on heads sent in for headwork and have never had a set were the socket wouldn't go over the button,what brand are you using?
 
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Old Jun 21, 2019 | 08:05 AM
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Use a 13mm 12 point socket
 
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 09:20 PM
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Larry has it right. Unless you have a real loosy goosy 1/2 inch socket. 13mm will fill the bill.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2019 | 07:24 PM
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If ya can’t find em’, grind em’. Don’t let anything stop ya.....make it work. Any bolt, any time....
Have done it many times. Special XL long socket to fit very deep spark plug holes to fit between over size Jesel pushrods, front end/wheel stuff, odd ball fab stuff, even a specially modified socket wrench to fit into my dual carb manifold.

This scenario for example just came up to fit a narrow canal hole on a filler neck mod with a deep 12 pt.........


Used to fit into a narrow oil spout mounting bolt hole.
 

Last edited by PWMORRIS; Jun 23, 2019 at 07:54 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2019 | 06:27 AM
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some deep sockets are not as deep as the look.make sure the inside of the socket is deep enough to clear the button,like I said,i use a 1/2 deep socket and have never seen a MCR that it didn't fit (certainly fits all the MCR`s ive ever installed,thats how I installed them)
 
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 05:40 AM
  #10  
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Sorry I haven't updated. It wasn't a tool question, it was a method question. I'm using Jim's releases. They have a metal cap that virtually obscured the flats on the body of the release. It turns out the pin that the cap is connected to has a small slot cut into the bottom. A precision screwdriver was used to stop the pin from rotating and I was able to unscrew the cal. Then a standard deep socket worked to tighten it up. Then the cap screwed back on. Thanks for the replies.
 
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