LOCATOR AND CUP HOLDER We see many different cylinder head combinations and sometimes it is necessary to cut down the valve spring locators to get a socket on the cylinder head bolt or nut. We use an old valve guide and a pair of vice grips to hold the locator so they...

SEAL PULLER MOD I have had these seal puller pliers for years, but honestly, they were utterly useless. After a decade and some frustration with pulling Honda seals, I finally came up with this simple modification. I welded a nut to the end of one of the handles to...

IT'S OK TO CHEAT Cheat the Tool Bit that is with a sliver of paper to change the angle slightly. Post-its or any thin paper seems to work well. I like to run my valve and seat angles the same. Tool Bits and Holders can vary and this helps with the results, if I need...

MANDREL FOR MACHINING OLD RETAINERS I had a different combination of valve stem and spring diameters to work with and I could not find spring retainers to fit. I had previously made these mandrels to hold and modify 7° & 10° retainers, so this job was easy to...

VACUUM TESTING FIXTURES When vacuum testing valves on some heads there may be obstacles in the way. In many cases there will be some exhaust studs in the way like this 3.4L GM. Rather than opening up a can of worms trying to remove the exhaust studs, I look through my...

VALVE CLEANING Take a valve guide liner (K-Liner or other) of the appropriate stem diameter and insert into drill press chuck. This will provide a nice protected grip on the valves while they’re spinning. Have a pan of solvent underneath and grip the head of valve...