CLEAN CUT When cutting O-ring and receiver grooves for top fuel hoops, it’s important to have plenty of cutting oil to get a nice clean cut in the heads and block. Instead of spraying penetrating oil all over the bench, we do them in the honing tank and flood the work...
DIALED IN When setting up a block for surfacing, depending on the machine used, it may not be possible to use the dial indicator that's attached to the head of the surfacer (if there even is one). Creating a bar shaped like an L as pictured and mounting a cheap dial...
BLOCK SQUARED For those using the common block deck indexing fixture, heres an easy way to check accuracy of the front plate. When you finish squaring up a block. Flip the plate backwards and check the deck across the surface to the plate again. It should read the...
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...
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...
A DIFFERENT CAM BEARING FIT Most if not all OEM blocks were fitted with semi-finished cam bearings and then the I.D.”s were bored in place. Many suffer from poor factory size issues. This situation can lead to tight or no bearing clearance when finished cam bearings...