When I only have only one torque plate I’ll plug the holes on the other side of the block with foam earplugs. They do a great job of keeping honing oil out of these holes. This way, when I change my plate to the other side, the…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Manahga, MN
Priming the engine with a 1⁄2-drill and getting oil to all rockers without this mod takes 36 minutes. After the mod it takes less than a minute. Here’s what I do on Dart blocks. I’ve attached some pics as a visual guide. The lifter galley hole is…
Scott Foxwell Staub Technologies Piney Flats, TN
Because Sunnen’s hold downs are limited in their length, we made extensions to hold down various components. I use 3⁄4 -10 all-thread for the extensions and I can mount various work pieces with existing Sunnen threaded hole downs. This has been very helpful with Subaru blocks.…
Darin Driscoll AMS Automotive Machine and Supply Inc. Fort Collins, CO
I use a drill bit extension and a variety of abrasive flap wheels to clean up cam bores and cam bearings to help make more clearance for those camshafts that will not fit or turn. A quick pass through the bores is all it takes. Steve Potz…
Steve Potz Steve’s Engine Shop Cocoa, FL
At times I have had a main journal that just honed faster than the rest. I cut some .001 shim stock and place it between the stone and journal and give it a few short strokes. The shim stock will stop the honing of that one journal…
Mark Carney Automotive Machine Inc Emporia, KS
Here is a way to improve your surface finish from your Block Master 85 B . Just change the upper pulley to a 19” inch pulley. It slows down the tracking and the surface becomes super smooth. You can get the pulley and belt at your…
Gary Keeling Keeling Automotive Machine Santa Clara, CA
Anyone with a Sunnen diamond hone head can gain more clearance on the bottom of cylinder to main web area by taking off the factory spring setup and replacing with the spring from a small block Chevy front cover seal. It fits perfectly in the stone…
Mark Carney Automotive Machine Inc Emporia, KS
When align honing Small or Big Block Chevrolets I always install an old oil pump on the #5 main cap. The added stress can change the main bore up to .001” to allow for distortion of the bore when the engine is fully assembled. Joe…
Joe Foellmer Advance Engine Rebuilders Johnsburg, IL
On 400 SB Chevy blocks, the deck is the weak link. They have a tendency to crack between the water holes. I have found a successful fix for this. I drill and tap the water holes for tapered pipe plugs. Once they are sealed and threaded into…
Joe Cardoza Yosemite Machine Modesto Ca.
Camshafts will often times not fit into newly installed cam bearings. Since most factory cam bearings are bored in place, cam bore alignment is not an issue from the factory, but becomes an issue with finish machined bearings. I use an old camshaft that I take…
Bill Arrington Bill’s Custom Engines Greenville, TX.