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FILL BRASS TUBES
Dec 9, 2025 | CYLINDER HEADS
When surfacing heads that have had brass tubes installed in head bolt or pushrod holes, I slip snug aluminum plugs in the tube to support them while cutting. This prevents the cutter bit from grabbing the tube and folding inward. This works great on any application...
ROPE SEAL SAW
Nov 24, 2025 | GASKETS & SEALING
Cutting rope rear main seals to length can be tough. I drag a new razor blade over 60-grit sandpaper to give it some teeth. This makes cutting much easier, and I leave a small projection, a crown, if you will, for a good seal at the parting line. Randy Torvinen...
HOIST TIME SAVERS
Nov 24, 2025 | OTHER SHOP WORK
It is a huge time-saver to attach a magnetic bar to your hoist to hold common lifting bolts. I also attached a swivel to the hook end to keep parts from twisting and bumping into things when lifted, and to make positioning easier. Arus Kinney AK's Engine and...
CLEAN AND ACCURATE
Nov 10, 2025 | CYLINDER HEADS
Although it is an old valve facer, it was in tip-top shape when I got it. To keep it that way, I use a rubber cap to cover the chuck when I dress the rock, and those black rubber discs are drum brake wheel cylinder caps. I have two different ones. One is for smaller...
BORING TOOL ALIGNMENT
Nov 1, 2025 | BLOCK WORK
Here's an easy way to precisely align or clock a boring tool in a boring head. You'll need a dowel pin the same size as the tool shank to fit the boring head, a 1/4" thick x 1/2" aluminum flat bar, and a 1-1/2" x 1/2" aluminum flat bar, though the size is not...
TUBE TO FIND CENTER
Oct 30, 2025 | BLOCK WORK
When boring blocks, in addition to a cardboard chip deflector and a vacuum cleaner running under it, I still wipe the bar down with a microfiber as it retracts. Just one more way to keep chips out of the column seal. Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN

