MOCKUP When I mockup to check for piston to valve clearance or pushrod length, I use cardboard strips to simulate the compressed gasket thickness. I lightly snug down a couple of bolts and save the gaskets for the final assembly. Another handy mockup tip is to wrap...

THRUST WATCH As engine builders we always make sure the crankshaft thrust is proper before assembling the rest of the engine. I believe we should also be measuring it again when it is in the vehicle because there are so many possible flywheel/clutch, torque converter...

PRIME WITHOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON I prime all of my engines with the intake manifold off, valley open. You can see oil escaping around lifters and cam bearings. You can see if you have the wrong base circle camshaft on SB Ford hydraulic roller cams and if the...

STUD INSTALLER We use an old roller rocker arm adjuster nut and put a used rod bolt in place of the Allen jam bolt. I use this assembly to install main and head studs when they do not have a hex in them. Terry Dowker Dowker Engines Charlotte, MI MARCH, 2021

COVER ALIGNMENT On many engines with timing covers that are located by dowel pins, there can me misalignment problems that may result in a leak. To eliminate this is, I drill the dowel pin locator holes in the cover one or two sizes oversize. Then I set it up in place...

SMALL PARTS ORGANIZERS The small boxes that Engine Pro packages some of their parts in work great for organizing all the hardware and small parts for an engine build. We save all these boxes and keep them on our assembly carts for organizing cleaned parts. Nick Jones...