by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2014 | PISTONS & RINGS
SQUARE RINGS IN A ROUND HOLE We have a quick trick to use while checking ring gaps on odd engines that you may not have a ring squaring tool for, and/ or the pistons are not of a flat top design. Set your digital-dial calipers for the depth you want to check the...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2014 | CYLINDER HEADS
VACUUM CHECKING PORTS WITH EGR HOLES It’s difficult to vacuum test the exhaust valves on the 5 valve per cylinder VW cylinder head and many other heads due to the EGR hole in each port. I’ve found an easy solution. Save the dried silicone from the tip of the tube of...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2014 | TOOLING
NO BUGS 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. When I don’t...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2014 | OTHER SHOP WORK
TALKIN’ BOUT THOSE GOOD VIBRATIONS We get a lot of broken bolt, broken tap, and broken easy out work in our shop, mostly because we are good at it! We are usually the last guys called because we are not known as the cheapest, but the guys that always can do the job....
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2014 | CRANKSHAFTS & CONNECTING RODS
BEARING CRUSH AND VERTICAL CLEARANCE One of the most important factors in engine bearing design is a proper fit between the bearing and housing. Except for thrust washers, nearly all bearings are an interference fit. This means the bearing is slightly larger than the...
