Fitting those tapered split valve collets at the best of time is a pain in the a$$, doing in the car is a double pain but it can be done

A decent head mounted light helps to see what you are doing as do decent reading glasses...which I have only needed for the past 2 years...sigh

Suitably bent strips about 1/8th inch thick of thin sheet steel and a fairly strong magnet, coat the collet in grease, stick onto the end of the steel strip and stick the magnet onto the middle of the steel strip where you can hold it and the strip comfortably with your hand - the magnetism will hold the collet in the grease, manoeuvre the collet into place, bend the steel strip if necessary, when in position, the grease should hold it onto the valve stem, remove the magnet from the strip, then carefully slide the strip off the now stuck collet...repeat.

Cheers
Greig

Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Then my approach is similar but I use grease on the collet and finger tip. Once the first collet is put in position I slide it round to the back so the second one is easy to install.

Location: Colchester

I do like the magnet approach. I'm now searching for a suitable magnet. I do have a special tool for fitting these collets (made by a company called GRICE patent applied for) but it is of little help when working upside down viewing through a mirror! I think my fingers are too big.
Vince Leek

Location: MOONRAKER COUNTRY

Vince, I find this helps. I know I made it. It can't remember where the idea came from . Blob of grease to hold them in place until you have got the collets gripped, keep gripped as you let off the valve clamp. Best of luck

Location: Oakley, hants

Sensitive fingers and lots of swearing. Next time I do it I will use my new endoscope (£7 on eBay).

Location: Isle of Wight

A lot less hassle just to take the engine out & do it on the bench. Easier on the back too.

Thanks for the replies and advice. Job now done. Report to follow. Watch this space.
Vince

Location: MOONRAKER COUNTRY

This problem has obviously been keeping you up at night Vince!

Location: Farnham sometimes

This is one of those jobs where upsidedown Varifocals (as worn by a famous snooker player)are needed.
Brian

Location: Near M1 Jtn 28

Over a decade ago I first experienced the delights(?) of trying to fit upside down collets and got the raving hump over the experience. Even tried glue on tweezers with little joy. Gave up and purchased a set of pin type valves, cups, and pins and have never looked back, still alive and kicking (both me and the pin system) and had no trouble using this system as used on Rubies for a year or two before returning to the prehistoric collet system. Collets are fine for OHV engines but the only thing guaranteed with upside down collets is an early heart attack.
Peter.

The Austin Motor Co obviously thought about this problem early on. In the Austin Seven List of Spare parts Fifth Edition 353d under the tools section there is illustrated what they describe as 'Valve Cotter Tongs'. They look rather like sugar tongs but the ends are shaped to take the cotters. They cant have been much of a success as they dont appear in later Spare Parts Lists and for that matter, neither are they in earlier Lists. Later on you could buy patented Cotter Pliers made by I believe Scrivener, these are a bit of a fiddle and I still prefer the dab of grease method, which has always been satisfactory and quick for me.