by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2017 | CYLINDER HEADS
SURFACE PLATE ADAPTER 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...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2017 | CRANKSHAFTS & CONNECTING RODS
GEN III VS. GEN IV CONNECTING RODS The early Gen-3 press-fit connecting rod was replaced by the Gen-4 free-floating piston pin with rod bushings. Some shops try to upgrade Gen-3 engines by substituting Gen-4 pistons, and keeping the earlier rods. You need to be aware...
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2017 | OPERATIONS
DO YOU ASS-UME? You’ve heard the expression about “assume”? It will make an “ass” out of “u” and “me”. Here’s a simple tip that goes back to marketing 101 – Don’t assume your customers know what they need. And, don’t assume they know what you know. The best way...
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2017 | TOOLING
CART HEIGHT=BENCH HEIGHT=HAPPY BACKS In our shop we seem to constantly be moving cylinder heads around. First from arrival at the door to a tear down bench, then to the jet wash, to a storage shelf, to benches to be worked on and then to benches to be assembled. We...
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2017 | TOOLING
DON’T LEAVE ME HANGING When I build big cubic inch engines, I never leave all that weight hanging from a few bellhousing bolts. A screw jack under the front oil pan takes a lot of stress off of the engine stand. Place a piece of wood or heavy cardboard on top of the...
