Measuring Concave Objects If you need to measure a concave object such as a lifter or push rod and don’t have a ball mike, or don’t have one large enough, you can use a bearing ball in the concave part and subtract the diameter of the ball from the overall…
Lee Johnson Pro Performance Denver, CO
I put an aquarium bubbler in the coolant tank on my crankshaft grinder to keep the coolant moving. This keeps the algae from blooming and keeps the coolant better to work with. I used a pair of old main caps wired to the base to form a stand.…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN
Most popular engines have 14 MM and 18 MM spark plugs. The paper cup type from engine equipment suppliers, or tape, will pop out when engine is turned over. I discovered a cute economical way to plug the spark plug holes. 1/4 pipe loosely threads into 14…
Jim Feurer Animal Jim Racing Lacon, IL.
Installation Tool for Spark Plug Repair Inserts This tool was developed after I got frustrated with supplier installation devices. It is faster, easier and works with most spark plug thread repair inserts, including Perma-Coil, Time-Sert and Heli-Coil. Start with a long reach spark plug, sliding a bronze spacer (metric flange…
Dan Morrison Morrison Auto Machine Glendale, AZ
Keep Chuck Keys in Check This isn’t the most high-tech Shop Solution in the world, but it can save you hours of lost time and aggravation. Have you ever wasted time looking for your drill’s chuck key or fought chucking in a bit with the key tethered or taped to…
Michael Campiere Campiere Customs Chalmette, LA
Avoiding The Skinned Knuckle Syndrome Header bolts and other bolts in tight locations can be troublesome to remove and install, especially in custom fabrications where there is limited accessibility. A solution is to use internal wrenching bolts (Allen bolts). To use allen bolts, taper the head as illustrated, and purchase…
Archie Frangoudis Archie’s Racing Service Nashua and Merrimack, NH
How Do You Slice It If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked “What is the best way to cut braided steel hose?” I’d have more money than Bill Gates. While there are about as many answers to this question as there are skilled automotive techs, there…
Lamar Whitman Engine Pro Tech Committee
Fertilizer Spreader and Kitty Litter: Perfect Match When spreading absorbent or kitty litter around your shop, pick up a hand held fertilizer spreader and keep it filled and ready. When you have a spill, just grab the spreader, give it a couple of quick spins and the problem is taken…
Paul Wampler Engine & Performance Warehouse Denver, CO
Making Your Own Custom Wrench for Headers For starters, find an old wrench you will not feel bad about bending and manipulating into the desired handle configuration. Then, I recommend a new sparkplug socket. (Make sure the wrench you choose will butt up to the socket.) Take the sparkplug socket…
Roy Maloney Engine & Performance Warehouse Houston, TX