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
40 to 50% of our business is hi-performance boat engines, and the head bolt/stud sealing is critical on these engines. Jet boats use “waste” water from the jet pump to cool the engine and the pressure applied to the water jacket can…
Timm Jurincie Tuf-Enuf Auto & Marine Performance Avondale,AZ.
The Importance of Timing Sprocket Alignment When assembling an engine, one of the most overlooked items is the timing chain sprocket alignment. The upper and lower gears should be installed and alignment checked with a straight edge. I have seen them as far as .020 ̋ off. I allow the…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine Service North Branch, MN
GM LS-Series Double-Roller Chain Oil Pump Spacer Warning If you are using a spacer to reposition the oil pump forward in a Chevy LS engine so that a double-roller chain can be installed to drive the camshaft, use caution to make sure the pump has sufficient end play and is…
Vern Schumann Schumann Sales & Service Blue Grass, IA
Easy Oil Pump Screen Install I just clamp the screen in my brass jaw vise and use a plastic dead-blow hammer to drive the pump onto the screen, being careful to keep them in alignment. This method started when I did not have a driver for an oddball engine. Now…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN
Understanding Standard and Reverse Rotation Marine Boats with twin engines usually have them turning in opposite directions so the torque reactions of the engines cancel each other out. This can create some rather unique problems for the rebuilder. The following four drawings show how the crankshaft and camshaft turn in…
Engine Pro Tech Committee with thanks to Melling Tool Co
In our shop we do a variety of cylinder heads for late model diesel trucks. On jobs like 6.0 Fords, 5.9 Cummins, or 6.6 Dura- max our customers often install ARP studs as in improved fastener. ARP highly suggests that the studs be retorqued after the…
Brad Luck Weaver Parts Sauk City, WI.
Ball Cup Effective Length When working with a ball-and-cup type pushrod from an application like a Ford or Chrysler product with adjustable shaft rockers, it is important to know the “effective” length when ordering custom length pushrods.- In this case, the effective length is the length from the tip of…
Darrin Anderson Sterling Bearing Inc Kansas City, MO
Smoke ‘Em if Ya Got ‘Em In our shop, we don’t have a dyno or engine test stand. We work on a variety of engines from Chevys to Internationals to Continentals, so no engine start stand would suit everything we do. In an effort to find oil leaks, we have…
Brad Luck Weaver Auto Parts Sauk City,WI