> how does this work?

I've never actually used a valve spring compressor before, but I have
a big mouth and like to guess, so I'd say the silver pointy side seats
in the center of the big side of the valve and the black thing sits on
top of the valve spring? Is the black think forked, leaving a space
for the valve stem to poke through once you compress the spring?

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
"I will buy your Syncro!" - poptophell.com