by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2021 | TOOLING
ALIGNMENT DOWELS Every couple of months I repair a transmission ear. The people install the transmissions out of alignment and attempt to pull them in using the mounting bolts. Part of my repair includes donating a couple simple alignment pins fabricated from bolts to...
by Donnie Hurt | Oct 1, 2021 | TOOLING
CHAMFER REMOVAL Shallow head fasteners like flywheel bolts can be a challenge to remove without rounding the head off. I place a socket in my metal lathe and face it flat to eliminate the chamfer. I get full contact with the fastener and fewer stripped heads. Dave...
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2021 | OTHER SHOP WORK
PLUG AND FITTING HOLDERS We keep NPT unions by the lathe for drilling pipe plugs for restrictors. We can screw the fitting in, chuck it up and use the lathe to drill the fitting. We use a split nut on conventional thread fittings. Adam Cofer Don Ott Racing Engines...
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2021 | BLOCK WORK
FIRE WIRE When I install wire O-rings, I use a mini handheld belt sander to do the first 45° scarf cut. Then, I walk the ring wire around, partially depth-set in place, leaving about 5/8” of a tail. Next, I mark the mating end with a felt tip marker. This gives you a...
by Donnie Hurt | Sep 1, 2021 | BLOCK WORK
THE GROOVY SPOT When I cut the oil groove in lifter bores, I put ink on the top of the cutting tool with a metal marker. It makes it easier to see which side the carbide cutter is on to be sure to cut the grooves on the passenger side of the lifter bores. Then I touch...