The Importance of Timing Sprocket Alignment When assembling an engine, one of the most overlooked items is the timing chain sprocket alignment. The upper and lower gears should be installed and alignment checked with a straight edge. I have seen them as far as .020 ̋...

GM LS-Series Double-Roller Chain Oil Pump Spacer Warning If you are using a spacer to reposition the oil pump forward in a Chevy LS engine so that a double-roller chain can be installed to drive the camshaft, use caution to make sure the pump has sufficient end play...

Easy Oil Pump Screen Install I just clamp the screen in my brass jaw vise and use a plastic dead-blow hammer to drive the pump onto the screen, being careful to keep them in alignment. This method started when I did not have a driver for an oddball engine. Now I do...

Understanding Standard and Reverse Rotation Marine Boats with twin engines usually have them turning in opposite directions so the torque reactions of the engines cancel each other out. This can create some rather unique problems for the rebuilder. The following four...

DIESEL HEAD STUD RETORQUE In our shop we do a variety of cylinder heads for late model diesel trucks. On jobs like 6.0 Fords, 5.9 Cummins, or 6.6 Dura- max our customers often install ARP studs as in improved fastener. ARP highly suggests that the studs be retorqued...

Ball Cup Effective Length When working with a ball-and-cup type pushrod from an application like a Ford or Chrysler product with adjustable shaft rockers, it is important to know the “effective” length when ordering custom length pushrods.- In this case, the effective...