by Donnie Hurt | Feb 1, 2023 | CRANKSHAFTS & CONNECTING RODS
EXTERNAL BALANCING ACT When balancing a crankshaft that has a flexplate or flywheel, make sure it fits snugly and there is no lateral movement. Any play can cause the balance not to repeat when the flex/flywheel has been removed and installed. I like to center them up...
by Donnie Hurt | Jan 1, 2023 | CRANKSHAFTS & CONNECTING RODS
GO OVERSIZE FOR EASE Next time you have set of large journal small block Chevy connecting rods to resize, consider honing the big ends of them for a +.002″ outside diameter bearing that the LS engines with fracture cap rods use. You will save yourself a lot of...
by Donnie Hurt | Jan 1, 2023 | CRANKSHAFTS & CONNECTING RODS
DENT PROTECTION When I straighten a crankshaft that just needs to be polished, I protect the journal surface from the chisel bouncing. Make a pad with a 7 or 8 layers of masking tape and stick it on the journal where you are peening. It protects the journal from the...
by Donnie Hurt | Jan 1, 2023 | TOOLING
SMALL DOWEL REMOVER When removing small dowel pins from driveshafts such as an ignition distributor drive gear or a machinery assembly, it can be awkward holding the part steady, while also holding a drift pin and striking it with a hammer. You need 3 hands. Instead,...
by Donnie Hurt | Jan 1, 2023 | TOOLING
LIFTER PLUNGER TRAVEL THE EASY WAY Different brands of hydraulic lifters can have varying travel. Here’s how to measure plunger travel easily. We use a short length of pushrod chucked in our drill press, and a block of soft wood, to not mar the lifter face or...