One the most challenging jobs is the 302 -351W cylinder head stud removal that fastens down the intake manifold. It rusts and sits at an angle which makes it almost impossible to center a drill bit for removal. The solution is to drive a 1/4-inch roll pin under…
Luis Guzman Technomotors El Paso, TX
The harmonic balancers on the 5.0 Fords are deep and need extra space. I used a small PVC pipe coupler to extend the reach of the installer. It is cheap, lightweight, and works great. Pete Ross Petes Car Care Rochester, IL August, 2022
Pete Ross Petes Car Care Rochester, IL
Solid smaller sized dowel pins can be stubborn sometimes. One of the most useful ways I've found to deal with the really stubborn ones is to start by putting a heavy chamfer the outside edge of the dowel with a grinder. Then I run a…
Joshua Hartmann Hartmann Racing and Development Gerald, MO
I grind exhaust manifolds on a dry belt surface grinder. Before I grind them, I bead blast the manifold surfaces to clean off the hard rust and carbon build up first. By doing this the manifolds grind easier and the belts last longer. Wes Schell Schell Engine…
Wes Schell Schell Engine & Machine Gregory, SD
When surfacing blocks or heads, it’s a good idea to deburr all the water jacket and bolt holes before making cuts. Many heads have scale and residue on those areas that can cause “drag” marks when the tool bit passes over. Marine heads, or any head that’s not…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
Smaller crankshafts and camshafts are so “springy” they can resist straightening and can be hard to straighten by peening. I prefer to use a peening technique on all the crankshafts and camshafts that come through the shop. When on the straightener, these parts will typically bend several…
Trevor Wells Schmidt Automotive Indianapolis, IN
In the past, I balanced individual parts like everyone else; match all to the lightest, piston to piston, rod to rod, etc. But a few years ago, I started following this procedure: Assign all parts an identifying letter, then weigh and record all weights. Then match up heaviest…
Mark Workman Workmonster Motorsports Ballwin, MO
Often when parting off a work piece in the lathe, the tool may leave a "pip" or thin ring attached to the work piece....even when using a right-hand cut-out insert or blade tip. Here's an easy, quick way to remove the unwanted "pip" or thin material: open a…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc Cleburne, TX
A few rookie tips that a few old timers may have forgotten: The risk of a drill bit slipping in a Jacobs chuck, gouging the drill shank, can be significantly reduced by tightening all 3 "holes" in the chuck with the chuck key. When clamping the…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply, Inc Joshua, TX
We keep NPT unions by the lathe for drilling pipe plugs for restrictors. We can screw the fitting in, chuck it up and use the lathe to drill the fitting. We use a split nut on conventional thread fittings. Adam Cofer Don Ott Racing Engines York…
Adam Cofer Don Ott Racing Engines York Springs, PA