LET IN THE LIGHT(ER) When vacuum checking 4 valve per cylinder heads, its hard to tell if its both or just one valve that’s leaking. Use your vacuum tester and one of those long inexpensive BBQ or candlestick lighters. Hold the lighter close to the valves and the...

TWO HAND TIPPING I’ve found an easy way to set the valve stem height on heads. I get the two end valves to spec, then install light springs and retainers. This way I can hold the ruler across the top of the tips to adjust the others without needing 3 hands. Randy...

HD GUIDE REPLACEMENT On older Harley Davidson Pan, Shovel, Ironhead and many other cylinder heads, flanged guide removal can lead to damage to the host bore in the head. Many times the guide is distorted and will tear up the bore as it passes back through. To stop...

THE MYTH OF THE NEW BARE CASTING There may be some misconception in the automotive machine world with regards to new cylinder head castings. Over the years new car manufacturers have been very kind to our industry. It seems that every couple of years a new problem...

RESIZING VALVE SEALS Every once in a while we get metal clad stem seals that just don’t fit snugly enough on the guide to suit us. Because of the volume of metal clad seals we use and my unwillingness to throw them away or send them back, we have a drawer full of new...

GOT A HANDLE I like to use my Serdi pilots as go-no-go gauges when I hone valve guides. I made this aluminum handle from a piece of 1-1/2” diameter rod. I turned the outside for a comfortable grip and bored the center to hold my pilots. I select the appropriate one...