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SURFACES FRONT AND REAR
Nov 3, 2026 | BLOCK WORK
Checking the transmission mounting surface or timing cover alignment with the crankshaft centerline is often overlooked and easy to do. This surface interface can cause a number of problems, including transmission pump, converter, stator, clutch, and crank thrust...
SPRAY WASH ADDITIVES
Oct 26, 2026 | DISASSEMBLY & CLEANING
For my spray washer, I mix a 20-gallon barrel of rinse water with half a teaspoon of bleach and a capful of cooling system corrosion inhibitor. I use a media blasting gun with the siphon tube in the tank. This cool mixture prevents flash rusting after rinsing, better...
CAM LOBE TAPER
Oct 19, 2026 | CAMSHAFTS & VALVE TRAIN
I always check the lobe taper on new flat-tappet camshafts to make sure they have adequate taper, as I prefer. Chevys are easy because the journals are all the same diameter. I lay them on the mill table and use a tenth indicator with a stem that fits in a collet. I...
HANDY HOLDER
Oct 8, 2026 | OPERATIONS
I find that in places of the shop where I'm constantly using either brake cleaner or pump oil cans that a piece of 3" PVC, cut at a 45-degree angle, attaches very easily to a machine with one screw. For aerosol cans a few screws in the bottom will keep the can in...
BORING BITS
Sep 28, 2026 | BLOCK WORK
When you use different bit styles on boring bars, the size they cut can vary widely, depending on where the cutting tip is tangent to the bar centerline. Checking my own, I found there was a .007" difference between standard-type bits and the indexable bits. It's best...
BEAD BLASTER PLATE
Sep 21, 2026 | DISASSEMBLY & CLEANING
I always put a sheet of 10-gauge sheet metal in the blaster. It makes the heads and heavier parts easier to slide around. It also wears instead of the screen. Randy Torvinen Torvinen Machine Menahga, MN

