I use an 1/8” allen wrench to insert and extract the pilot while doing valve jobs on cylinder heads. I would frequently misplace this little tool between seats, so I started using a rubber band to keep it attached to the palm of my hand. This keeps…
Craig Tackett Hughes Engines Inc. Washington, IL
When adjusting valve lash on DOHC Honda cylinder head with oil rails above the camshafts, remove the rails and use a thick nut that the cap bolt will pass through to bolt down the cams. Now you have more room to maneuver your feeler gauges. Ronnie Myers MAR…
Ronnie Myers MAR Automotive Philadelphia, PA
When we moved to our new shop location we wanted to upgrade from our traditional oil barrels that we would magnaflux and drive valve guides on to something safer, more sturdy and that would catch the driven out valve guides and magnaflux powder to keep the…
Brad Luck Weaver Auto Parts Sauk City, WI
LS Valve Seal Tool Instead of using an ill-fitting socket to install the valve seals on an LS engine, I took a piece of round stock from the turning center and used a lathe to drill a hole to match the seal size. The tool securely holds the valve seal,…
Nick Blanck COMP Performance Group Memphis, TN
Some cylinder heads, like small block Mopars, have the intake manifold bolt holes at a slight angle from the manifold flange. This makes it hard to mount on our surfacing machine milling plate because, when you tighten up the mounting studs against the plate, it wants to…
Dave Matton D and D Auto Machine Bloomington, MN
When working on GM cylinder heads like the LS series, that have a short tip length, you may need to have the valve shortened for correct stem height. The valve tip may set below the retainer. I use my Sunnen cap grinder to remove .020 from…
Jack Conklin Performance Machine Specialty Cleveland, MO
Many of us that resurface cylinder heads are use to mounting cylinder heads on a milling bar or clamping fixture and then leveling them to the machine. Most modern heads, and some older ones have the valve cover rail machined parallel with the deck surface. In this…
Dave Matton D and D Auto Machine Bloomington, MN
I cut old valves in half to make a quick tool, when doing valve jobs. It is quicker than dividers or lapping. When installed in the head, you can see exactly where the valves are seating. Scott Ouellette Powerplay Automotive Machine Wilmington, MA June, 2017
Scott Ouellette Powerplay Automotive Machine Wilmington, MA
If you’ve been having problems breaking off the end of a valve guide, on the spring end of the guide, when installing thin wall guides, I may have a solution. I machine from the spring cup side of the head instead of the valve seat side.…
Dale Beran The Parts Bin Ord, NE.
I have made a variety of valve holders, each made for different head configurations. I make them out of wood and drill holes matching the head configuration so I can replace the valves back into the same valve guides. The attached example is for a Cummins,…
Shawn Bergeron Daytona Auto Design Daytona Beach, FL