This saves a lot of time when centering the mandrel on blocks with bed plates. Using an indicator on the mandrel with stone pressure against the mains, zero the indicator, release pressure with lever. Turn the mandrel 180 degrees, put pressure back against mains, notice what direction…
Nick Jones Automotive Machine Fraser, MI
On some blocks that you may not have Main Bar Rings for there is often one that is very close to one you do have. I simply make precision spacers from shim stock and run them through slip roll to make them round. For example, the 400…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
I just used a set of LS main caps to shim the fixed surface plate (opposite the clamp) on our cap grinder. LS caps are normally cut very square to the sides, but first I verified these with a machinist's square. I use dye chem…
Jake Sampson Sampson Race Engines Inver Grove Heights, MN
This is a quick and accurate way to check cam tunnel to crank centerline accuracy using the common Block Tru fixture. First, mount up the Block Tru fixture, be sure the front cone is flush with the plate and snug both front and rear. Next, remove the…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
If you’re honing a block without a torque plate for any reason, use clear packing tape and cover all the water holes in the deck. This will reduce the drain time and you’ll see much less "walk off" of your honing oil as well. Saves money…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
When boring cam tunnels for repair or index correction that have oil grooves behind the bearing, you will lose a little area in that feed. Instead of the hassle of grooving them deeper, I just make up what’s removed by grooving the backside of the bearing the…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
The Subaru opposed 4-cylinder has a split case or block. I came up with this solution to hold down Subaru blocks so we can surface them. It works real well and holds the block firmly in place. Its a metal bar cut to fit inside of the…
Joe Werner AMS Automotive Machine and Supply. Fort Collins, CO
Nothing worse than having to fit a camshaft after installing new cam bearings, because they are too tight. I dial-bore gauge check all cam bores of the “known offenders”. I also use a Sunnen Jr. Hone to hone cam bores to the correct size before I ever…
Lewis Andrews Andrews Automotive Savannah, MO
In my hone, I keep a large cookie tray under the block I am processing. This creates a settling pond for most of the material that is removed during the honing process. Without the cookie tray, most of the heavy material settles in the hone sump and only…
Robert (Bob) Cull Cull Enterprises Ltd Creston, B.C.
This is a tip to help with setting up the mandrels on the line honing machine. I have an assortment of single main caps labeled with paint marker for many different engines, on the cart next to my line hone. If I have a block that I’ve…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN