by Donnie Hurt | Mar 1, 2021 | CRANKSHAFTS & CONNECTING RODS
HEAVY METAL When adding heavy metal to crankshafts, you always want a nice clean installation. I start with a slightly heavier slug than required and machine the center of the tungsten like a barbell to bring the crank into balance, instead of running it short in the...
by Donnie Hurt | Feb 1, 2021 | LUBRICATION & COOLING
STOP FRETTING If you work on any high-power adder or high rpm engines, chances are you will see some fretting on the bottoms of main caps and the backside of the upper rod bearing. Even when the tune is right you will still see minor signs of movement between the...
by Donnie Hurt | Feb 1, 2021 | CYLINDER HEADS
VW VALVE BREAKAGE It is not uncommon for the Volkswagen 1.8L, 20-valve cylinder head to require several if not all new intake and exhaust valves once it reaches your shop door. A failed belt, water pump and tensioners can provide quick and devastating havoc inside the...
by Donnie Hurt | Feb 1, 2021 | OTHER SHOP WORK
GOOD TO BE FOILED Keep a roll of kitchen aluminum foil handy in the shop. It is useful for many things including shimming chuck jaws, wrapping parts to keep shavings out, protecting parts from weld splatter, covering mill or lathe ways when machining abrasive cast...
by Donnie Hurt | Feb 1, 2021 | BLOCK WORK
LIFTER BORE GO-NOGO An expedient method of checking and verifying both lifter bore wear and size is with a “go- nogo” gauge. This is not meant to replace the use of a dial bore gauge, just as a quick check. They are easily machined on a lathe. They can be machined...
