Crankshaft end play is important to check in all engine builds. You want to make sure there is no pressure or binding at the flange of the thrust bearing. On these John Deere applications the end play needs to be checked once the engine is installed, as well as during…
Engine Pro Tech Committee with special thanks to Reliance Power Parts
A quick way to center up crankshaft bobweights is to use a piece of round aluminum rod, machined to 1/2 the difference of the widths of the weight and the journal. Use it to space one side up and snug the bobweight. That centers it right up…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine Service North Branch, MN
When I mount pistons onto press fit rods I set my mounting fixture so I get them perfectly centered. But setting the mounting fixture on tapered pin boss pistons is harder to get right. I took an old rod and honed the small end until the press pin…
Dave Matton D and D Machine Bloomington, MN
As part of my crank balancing tools, I have an assortment of lower timing gears that I use when balancing a crank that requires the balancer to be installed. Some are slip fit, others I hone to slip fit for ease of removal. This allows me…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine Service North Branch, MN
Installing a speedy sleeve on a 22R Toyota crank can be difficult because of the flywheel pilot flange sticking out of the back of the crank. I used a piece of tool steel, drilled a hole in it then installed a spring and a pin to…
Nick Redenbaugh Sierra Auto Modesto, CA
When you are balancing a crankshaft and you need to add a small about of metal in a spot where there is no hole, I use what I call “pixie dust”. Pixie dust is tungsten shavings that I’ve saved from machining slugs to size in the past. Drill…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
Our aftermarket pistons for a LS7 Chevrolet came with SBC .927” pins. The standard LS7 pin is .925”. There is meat in the bushing to hone, but the problem is the shape of the small end of the rod and bushing. They are tapered. It…
Mike Schmelzer Bay Speed Center De Pere, WI
When grinding cranks I like to know where the thrust, radius or the crank cheek is. Once I clean up that side, a simple paper clamp marks that and is a good guide on how close that surface or radius is when sweeping for final size. It…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Manahga, MN
The early Gen-3 press-fit connecting rod was replaced by the Gen-4 free-floating piston pin with rod bushings. Some shops try to upgrade Gen-3 engines by substituting Gen-4 pistons, and keeping the earlier rods. You need to be aware to USE the Gen-4 retaining…
Miles Rogers BP Rods Magnolia, TX
I recently used major aftermarket high strength bolts in some LS9 GM connecting rods and had to bring the rod bores back into spec. The titanium tears up stones and shoes in the rod hone. I used fine emory-cloth pieces with the abrasive side against the shoes…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN