ASSEMBLY LUBE I keep a container of engine assembly lube at my cylinder head work bench. A good dab of assembly lube holds spring cups and or shims in place during cylinder head assembly. Too many times the shims came off and got mixed up, so I started doing this and...

VALVE SEAL REMOVAL For removing the top hat valves stem seals on heads with bucket holes hard to reach, I use stripped sockets the right size, with an extension. Knock it to grip and use a battery-operated ratchet to spin the seals out. It takes only a second per...

MODIFIED MIC To quickly and easily measure the lash caps on late 2.0L & 2.5L Subarus with chain drive timing, I disassembled a 0 - 1” micrometer and turned down the measuring side of the spindle so that it will fit inside the lash caps. Having this measure makes...

THE FOUR WAY SLIDE We often times trust our senses. I trust my sense of touch in what I call, The Four Way Slide. The bounce test works, but this concentricity test tells you more. I slide the valve against the seat to the back, right, left, and back towards me. If...

SURFACING QUICK CHANGE I have made a quick-change for going between surfacing aluminum and cast iron heads. For aluminum heads I use a PCD plate and 750 tr/min on an arm with 2-strong bolts with guiding in a stone head. For steel I use grinding stones and 1800tr/min...

SINGLE EXHAUST VACUUM CHECKING If you are like me, you test all the valve to seats seal with a vacuum test. It’s not possible when you have a single exhaust system. What I use is plumbers’ putty on the valves of the chambers not being tested to assure a good seal. It...