EASY HEIGHT TRANSFER When setting up valve springs or checking valve spring pressure I set a spring retainer on my Height Mic and use that to check the springs on the tester. To figure the installed height, bring the tester to the desired pressure and open the Height...

TAPED FOR PROTECTION When working with a customer's brand new cylinder heads, I cover the finish machined ends with painters tape to avoid scratches during any finish procedures and assembly. When someone pays big money for a set of heads, the last thing they want to...

GOOD SOLUTION When checking volume on cylinder heads, I like to use windshield washer fluid as the measuring liquid. To keep it from flash rusting seats and iron heads after it’s drained, I’ll put a splash of radiator coolant additive in the gallon jug. This has...

GOOD SEATS When I grind valve seats and want a nice finish when I get done, I take a strip of abrasive cloth about 1/4 inch wide and 4 inches long. I place it between the seat and stone with the abrasive side facing the stone. I hold the cloth with one hand and then...

WORKING SMARTER We have used a Lisle hand held keeper installer tool to assemble small import heads for many years. It can be hard on your hand pushing on the tool to get the keepers to seat, especially on aftermarket springs that are stiffer than the originals. But...

PLASTIC PRESSURE TEST PLATES I started making custom pressure testing plates out of 1” thick HDPE high density polyethylene (same material as kitchen cutting board). This stuff is cheap, machines like butter and can be worked like wood. I cut it with a table saw and...