by Donnie Hurt | Oct 13, 2025 | CYLINDER HEADS
Continual measuring takes time and doesn’t make any money. I take a measurement from the gasket surface on diesel heads before removing the guides. I use a large diameter disc, add balancer washers, ARP washers and whatever it takes to get the guide driver the...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 13, 2025 | CYLINDER HEADS
We all know how handy offset locks can be when setting up valve springs, and here are a couple tips regarding using them. With heavy spring pressures, I’d recommend against using positive height offsets, as you lose some support at the keeper groove, possibly...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 6, 2025 | OTHER SHOP WORK
A small reduction of run-out on lathe or crankshaft grinder chucks, with bolt on top jaws, can often be achieved by an even torque of the socket head cap screws that attach the top jaws. I’ve included the proper torque, by cap screw size, for the more common American...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 6, 2025 | CAMSHAFTS & VALVE TRAIN
When breaking in flat tappet cams, I place these Rare Earth Magnets on the top of the outer head bolts, and I’ll use break-in rocker arms when the open pressure is high. These and a magnet on the drain plug let me keep an immediate eye on ferrous metal, and I...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2025 | LUBRICATION & COOLING, TOOLING
It’s hard to trust many parts today. We’ve seen new oil pumps with issues right out of the box. We always take them apart to clean and inspect, lube up the pressure relief valve, and put them back together. Old style shaft driven pumps are pretty easy to...