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...

SHIM IT I make a spacer to set in the recess of my Height Mics for small retainers.  I use two .060" and one .030" spring shims and I can use it on SB Chevy heads and others with small diameter springs. The A & B105 work for SB Chevy. Randy Torvinen Torvinen's...

QUICK VALVE SPRING CHECK For a quick check or if I don't have a Spring Height Mic that is small enough, I use a telescoping gauge to get the height off the head. Then I have various Valve Adjustment Discs I can use to simulate the retainer thickness and I don't have...

GUIDE SAVER To avoid cracking the guide when ball broaching liners I made collars that slip fit over the guide. I've used large valve guides, aluminum, and steel round stock to make them. The time invested is quickly offset by not needing to replace cracked guides....

VALVE KEEPERS CAN GO FLYING I use my magnetic screwdriver with a small diameter Phillips bit to collect the valve keepers as I compress the springs on overhead cam cylinder heads. The small Phillips bit becomes magnetized when it is inserted into the magnetic...