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...
V10 BALANCING ACT When balancing V-10 cranks, I use my four V8 bobweights and then two V6 bobweights on the fifth journal. I’ve double checked this by moving them around after the crank is balanced, and there is no change. It works great and eliminates the need to...
GEN VI LIFTER GUARD I have a big block Gen VI tip that will provide oiling and windage improvement at no cost. When a builder uses retrofit roller lifters and no longer has a use for the hold down spider, I find it useful as a cover and shield by modifying it and...