FUEL LINE CRACKS When rebuilding large diesel engines like Caterpillars with high pressure fuel lines running along the blocks or heads, make sure to install all of the factory line clamps and hold downs back in the factory location. They are designed to hold these...

VACUUM UP OVERSPRAY Sometimes I end up having to paint an engine and don’t really have a dedicated place to do so. I put down a plastic painters drop sheet and paint the parts while guiding a shop vac hose in close proximity to where I’m spraying. A foot or so away is...

DETAILS Sometimes it is just the little details that add up. Taking the time to use a little ATF to wipe your new piston rings down before assembly, can help keep dirt and debris out of your new engine. Multiply this by the number of parts that go into an engine and...

INTAKE FIT If you have an intake that doesn't seem to be fitting correctly, a quick check on the face to intake angles can be done, as will give a way to measure the amounts needed to mill off. Take 4 pieces of thick acid core solder and tape them on each corner of...

AFM DELETE THE RIGHT WAY When performing a performance camshaft upgrade on a LS engine that is originally equipped with the Active Fuel Management system (AKA: AFM or DOD) it is advised to remove the AFM solenoid assembly from the engine and convert the engine to a...

ROD TO CAM CLEARANCE GAUGE Using a plastic banding strap as a feeler gauge works great to check for clearance. The straps are generally .035-.045” thick, so you might want to double them up to check for the minimal .050-.060” clearance recommended. They work great as...