As engine builders we always make sure the crankshaft thrust is proper before assembling the rest of the engine. I believe we should also be measuring it again when it is in the vehicle because there are so many possible flywheel/clutch, torque converter and transmission combinations that it is…
Dave Matton D and D Auto Machine Bloomington, MN
I prime all of my engines with the intake manifold off, valley open. You can see oil escaping around lifters and cam bearings. You can see if you have the wrong base circle camshaft on SB Ford hydraulic roller cams and if the lifter…
Randy Quam Competition Engines Eagan, MN
We use an old roller rocker arm adjuster nut and put a used rod bolt in place of the Allen jam bolt. I use this assembly to install main and head studs when they do not have a hex in them. Terry Dowker Dowker Engines Charlotte, MI MARCH,…
Terry Dowker Dowker Engines Charlotte, MI
On many engines with timing covers that are located by dowel pins, there can me misalignment problems that may result in a leak. To eliminate this is, I drill the dowel pin locator holes in the cover one or two sizes oversize. Then I set it up in…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
The small boxes that Engine Pro packages some of their parts in work great for organizing all the hardware and small parts for an engine build. We save all these boxes and keep them on our assembly carts for organizing cleaned parts. Nick Jones Automotive Machine Fraser,…
Nick Jones Automotive Machine Fraser, MI
I recently had a customer that had possibly the biggest mishap one could make on a fresh engine. He got excited and forgot to install the intermediate shaft to the oil pump before dropping in the distributor on his Ford 300 L6. During the first…
Josh Mitchell Mitchell Machine Works & Custom Neligh, NE
When I find the need for a little more press on a cup expansion plug I use a modified spring retainer with a taper to lightly expand them in the press. Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Manahga, MN April, 2020
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Manahga, MN
Here's an easy way to put the head gasket and cylinder head on a engine. Simply cut off the heads of 2 head bolts to make some Guide Studs. Now screw them into the block and set the head gasket on. Then install the head and install…
Gary Keeling Keeling’s Automotive Machine Santa Clara, CA
I had need to change out the cam in a new build 351W. I used sixteen 1/2” longer 5/16” rocker arm bolts and left the lifters and pushrods in place. I rolled the engine upside down and turned the cam around once. I pulled the cam out…
Aaron Lindberg Aaron's Precision Machine Scandia, MN
Many cylinder heads have corrosion in the water jackets that can’t all be blasted or blown out. Marine engines can be the worst. When assembling an engine, to make sure you don’t accidentally drop any loose scale in the bores, simply pump shaving cream foam into…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN