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
You would not think of warrantying a newly rebuilt engine if the customer bolted on a dirty oil pan, crusty pick up screen, old sludge filled valve covers or even a Chevy intake manifold the was losing carbon out of the heat shield, but it's…
Josh Jeans Cutting Edge Automotive Forest Lake, MN
When rebuilding large diesel engines like Caterpillars with high pressure fuel lines running along the blocks or heads, make sure to install all of the factory line clamps and hold downs back in the factory location. They are designed to hold these lines from moving and flexing…
Ken Marlar Sterling Engine Parts Minneapolis, MN
Sometimes I end up having to paint an engine and don’t really have a dedicated place to do so. I put down a plastic painters drop sheet and paint the parts while guiding a shop vac hose in close proximity to where I’m spraying. A foot or…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
Sometimes it is just the little details that add up. Taking the time to use a little ATF to wipe your new piston rings down before assembly, can help keep dirt and debris out of your new engine. Multiply this by the number of parts that go into an…
Erik Koenig HorsePower Research McKinney, TX
If you have an intake that doesn't seem to be fitting correctly, a quick check on the face to intake angles can be done, as will give a way to measure the amounts needed to mill off. Take 4 pieces of thick acid core solder and tape them…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
When performing a performance camshaft upgrade on a LS engine that is originally equipped with the Active Fuel Management system (AKA: AFM or DOD) it is advised to remove the AFM solenoid assembly from the engine and convert the engine to a non- AFM valve…
Kelly Gill Engine & Performance Warehouse Oakland, CA
Using a plastic banding strap as a feeler gauge works great to check for clearance. The straps are generally .035-.045” thick, so you might want to double them up to check for the minimal .050-.060” clearance recommended. They work great as they easily bend to…
Mike Segar Segar Auto Machine Bloomington MN