CAST IRON THREAD PLUGS I make my own large threaded repair bushing from tapered pipe thread oil galley plugs, with an internal hex. The material of these plugs is hard enough to tap clean threads into, and very similar to your cast iron block or head. They are...
REDUCE – HEAT, PRESSURE, STRESS In the machine shop business we often consider stress, heat and pressure, as it relates to combustion, compression, bi-metals, etc. But when the weather gets extremely hot, like it’s been this summer, it’s also important for Managers to...
IN SHOP CAMSHAFT ANALYSIS Our shop has had a cam analyzer for over 28 years, so I had forgotten how we checked and identified cams in the past. Recently I was asked by another shop how to verify which of three customer supplied cams to install in the customer’s...
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FILTER FOR BREAK-IN Using an oil filter designed for racing may not be what you want when breaking in a new engine or new camshaft. These filters are designed to move more GPM, or Gallons Per Minute than a stock oil filter. To obtain this outcome...
SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE If you have to bleed down bucket style lifters you can make a easy to use tool from an old junk valve. Just cut the stem off leaving an inch or so above the face of the valve. Dress the end up in the grinder and you have a free tool that takes...
AGGRESSIVE SOCKETS The easiest way to remove a protruding pipe plug, like rear cam galley plugs, is to use a stud remover socket of the appropriate size. These have a very aggressive, tapered left handed threaded inside that really digs into the outside of the plug...