ROD BOLT INSTALLATION When installing aftermarket rod bolts, in addition to checking the under-head radius clearance, if the nuts are flanged, always check for clearance on the cap where it seats. On some rods, the O.D. of the flanged nut will hit before the face...
NEW NOZZLE I can't be the only one who opened a brand-new can of carb or brake cleaner, set it on a workbench and it gets knocked off and “snap”, the nozzle is broken and it's useless. I started taking the nozzles off the popular yellow and blue canned Water...
CORRECT BOLT LENGTH Many older, inline engines have water pump bolt holes that go all the way through the front of the block and can easily contact the front cylinder, if the incorrect bolts are used. I have seen a few engines ruined from having the incorrect length...
HONING-CUTTING OIL This helps save me time, money, and storage space. Honing oil is not just for honing, it is a cutting fluid. I use it on taps and dies, for cutting lifter bushing and machining on my lathe. I also use it for surfacing aluminum heads on my CBN...
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...
CAM RELUCTOR-WHEEL BLUES On the 2006-2016 GM 2.4L Eco-Tech engines, beware of the reluctor-wheel attached to the intake and exhaust camshafts for the cam sensor. These are just pressed on. If they get hot and lose their press fit, they will come loose and move. The...