We are a two-man shop, so sometimes wrestling a head this size in the shop press is a bit sketchy. To reduce risk of injury or damage, we installed the guides using our harmonic damper installation tool. It may not be the quickest method, but we…
Jimmie Wolfrum Jim’s Automotive Machine Shop, Inc. Gill, CO
Back in the day, we did camel hump SBC heads by the dozens, and we really used our hydraulic stud puller. We recently did a 1944 flathead Jeep engine. There is no clearance to drive the guide out easily. So, we took a short length of grade…
Timm Jurincie Tuf-Enuf Performance Avondale, AZ.
Everyone misses occasionally, and this helps avoid dents and damage. When I need to adjust the guides to the correct depth after getting close with the air hammer it's good to protect the head. Everyone misses sooner or later, and this simple board will save…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN
When resurfacing aluminum heads where the seat insert is contacted, sometimes the tool bit can leave tracking or drag marks across the deck surface in that area. To avoid this, you may be able to simply chamfer the seat slightly before the finish cut, so the tool bit…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
After surfacing heads, I like to chamfer the bolt holes and chambers. For the bolt holes, the common chamfering tool in a hand drill is great. For chambers, I’ve found that while a razor blade works excellent for aluminum, a file works best for iron. I use a…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
If I need to touchup a seat after machining, even on the Serdi, I go to my numbered stones and holders. I have three numbered holders and always use them as pairs. Sometimes if I just need a quick touch up and the stone is good,…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN
I made a valve tool to measure valve tip height as shown in the picture. I use it before cutting and write it down and check it after valve job. It is also very handy when setting new valve seats. It is easy to make. Take…
Joris Decker Deckers Motorenrevisie Belgium, Europe
When the lifters crack on 1.9L VW diesels they will expand in the bore of the head. Welding a bolt on top of the lifter and then using your slide hammer makes for easy removal. Tom Prodahl Cylinder Head Service Minneapolis, MN JUNE, 2022
Tom Prodahl Cylinder Head Service Minneapolis, MN
To install valve guides on my heads, I just make custom fit measuring tools out of the 6" steel rules I get at the trade shows. I cut them to fit in the lifter bores of the overhead cam engines. It's quick and simple. Matt Peebles Matts…
Matt Peebles Matts Machine Shop Melbourne, FL
When trying to determine if an iron head has a false seat ring in, we have found the fastest method is to mag-check the head. If it has a false seat in it, you will know instantly. Adney Brown Performance Crankshaft Ferndale, MI MAY,2022
Adney Brown Performance Crankshaft Ferndale, MI