To cut down the flange on 12-point nuts for clearance, we built this simple arbor which allows us to cut 12 at a time. Simply a piece of all-thread cut on one end to clamp in the jaws and drilled for a pilot hole on the other for…
Adam Cofer Salina Engines Salina, KS
Most of us know that magnetism on parts such as connecting rods is a very bad thing. Heat and friction can cause used rods to become magnetized. Today we can download Gauss/Magnetometer apps for our phones. They use the phone’s internal compass to check the magnetic field around the…
Jake Sampson Sampson Racing Engines Inver Grove Heights, MN
When using a grinding discs, sanding disks or carbide die grinder tips on aluminum, use “cutting saw wax” as a lubricant. This will keep the aluminum from gumming them up. Just apply to the surface and grind away, reapplying as needed. Brad Haugen Impulse Fabrication Silver Lake,…
Brad Haugen Impulse Fabrication Silver Lake, MN
Ever wonder how to find the center of 2 pulley groves? Use 2 long straight bolts, 3/8” in this case. Lay one in each pulley groove and measure the distance across both. Now subtract the width of one bolt to find the centers. (1.078”-.375” = .703” [.700”] in…
Mike Petralia Hardcore Horsepower & Dyno Franklin, TN
When machining multiple parts, put your first part up against a stop like this small parallel. Machine your first one then set and zero the indicator. Now just chuck up the next part the same way. Now you do not have to measure each one. Anything…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN
After using all kinds of braces and straps to secure 5 bolt bell housing LS blocks to an engine stand, we ended up making a 3/8” thick steel plate that spans the area where the bolt hole is missing and drilling it to take the engine…
Dan Cansler Cansler Automotive Race Engines Sylva, NC
When manually tapping on an irregular surface or where you just want it to go in dead straight to the hole you drilled, simply install an old countersink tool in the chuck after removing the drill bit. Then, drive the tap with a box end wrench or…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
I needed a secure space at the back of my shop under the back shed and a small workbench. I decide to mount an old aluminum truck bed storage box on the wall. Quick, easy, and durable. John Farmer LS Conversions Lenoir City, TN October, 2020
John Farmer LS Conversions Lenoir City, TN
Lifting various configured engine blocks and heads can sometimes be frustrating. One of our solutions was to assemble a number of chains with various popular diameter bolts on ends configured to rotate freely, thus allowing easy attachment to the item. Several of ours are covered with shrink tube…
Archie Frangoudis Archie’s Racing Service Nashua, NH
You can buy a premade spray booth or you can set up a makeshift paint booth using a cardboard box on its side. For extensive spraying you can cut a hole in the box and connect an exhaust fan to remove overspray. If using…
Steve Rich Sterling Bearing Inc N. Kansas City, MO