USED OIL ANALYSIS For best results: Take sample within 10 minutes of using the equipment. (i.e. shutting off the engine or coming off the track) If this is not possible, drain 1 quart of fluid into a quart or larger container, shake for 1 minute before filling the...
PULL THE PLUG Removing press in oil galley plugs from blind holes, like a Ford FE block, is a little more challenging because you cannot just pound them out from the back side. First I center drill them with a 3/16” drill bit. Then I install and tighten a lag screw...
BETTER ALUMINUM FINISH For a nice finish on aluminum, I save my chips from boring ductile sleeved blocks and add them at a 20% mix to coarse glass bead in the blaster. I find that it gives the aluminum a brighter finish that doesn’t stain as easy. It removes carbon...
CLEANING INTAKE PORTS After porting an intake manifold or a set of heads, there is going to be quite a bit of sand, aluminum, and other things in the port. It is very important that all of this debris gets cleaned out before assembling the engine. An easy and...
STAINLESS O’RING TIPS Occasionally you find yourself needing to remove stainless o-rings while servicing engine blocks or heads. Instead of trying to pick and gouge the wire out, simply strike an arc on them with your tig torch and immediately touch the tungsten to...
SADDLE PROTECTION If you are shot blasting an engine block but want to protect the crankshaft housing bore surfaces, you can install some used upper main bearing shells in place, then secure them to the block with threaded rod or machine screws with a nut up in the...