CENTER THE MANDREL This saves a lot of time when centering the mandrel on blocks with bed plates. Using an indicator on the mandrel with stone pressure against the mains, zero the indicator, release pressure with lever. Turn the mandrel 180 degrees, put pressure back...

MAIN RING CHEAT On some blocks that you may not have Main Bar Rings for there is often one that is very close to one you do have. I simply make precision spacers from shim stock and run them through slip roll to make them round. For example, the 400 Chevy ring plus a...

SUNNEN CRG-750 FIXTURE TUNE UP I just used a set of LS main caps to shim the fixed surface plate (opposite the clamp) on our cap grinder. LS caps are normally cut very square to the sides, but first I verified these with a machinist's square. I use dye chem on the...

CAM TUNNEL CHECK This is a quick and accurate way to check cam tunnel to crank centerline accuracy using the common Block Tru fixture. First, mount up the Block Tru fixture, be sure the front cone is flush with the plate and snug both front and rear. Next, remove the...

KEEPING THE FLUIDS OUT If you’re honing a block without a torque plate for any reason, use clear packing tape and cover all the water holes in the deck. This will reduce the drain time and you’ll see much less "walk off" of your honing oil as well. Saves money and...

GROOVY CAM BEARINGS When boring cam tunnels for repair or index correction that have oil grooves behind the bearing, you will lose a little area in that feed. Instead of the hassle of grooving them deeper, I just make up what’s removed by grooving the backside of the...