If you find that you are missing a fixing screw or oil passage plug and need to complete a job, you can quickly make it by screwing in the head of a stainless steel hexagon socket screw
When inspecting the head, it is better to use a "set stem" rather than a box of miscellaneous valves for testing. They can at least tell you if the valve guide is available or worn. I have commonly used sizes-I often use sizes, and plan to add more sizes. It usually speeds up work, time is money!
Randy Torvinen, Torvinen's Machine, Menahga, MN
When I cut the oil groove in the lifting hole, I used a metal marker to apply ink to the top of the cutting tool. It makes it easier to see which side the carbide cutter is on to ensure that the groove on the passenger side of the lifter hole is cut. Then I used two-stone brake honing to repair the holes instead of ball honing. This will remove any burrs left by the carbide tool.
Wes Schell, Schell Engine & Machine, Gregory, SD
When balancing the externally balanced crankshaft, the harmonic damper needs to be installed in the correct position of the timing gear to maintain proper balance. Sometimes you may get balancing work, and the timing gear is not on the crank. We saved a series of timing gears for temporary installation of cranks to complete the work. They are all recorded according to the engine they use.
Nick Jones, Auto Mechanics, Fraser, Michigan
We keep NPT joints on the lathe, which are used for the drill pipe plugs of the flow restrictor. We can screw in the accessory, clamp it up, and then use a lathe to drill the accessory. We use split nuts on traditional threaded joints.
Adam Cofer, Don Ott Racing Engines, York Springs, Pennsylvania
If you find that you are missing a fixing screw or oil passage plug and need to complete a job, you can quickly complete it by screwing in the head of the stainless steel hexagon socket screw. Then, according to your needs, cut off the smaller original threaded portion of the cap screw and file or grind it into a pointed tip. For the picture example, the M8 x1.25 fixing screws are made of 10-24 hexagon socket screws.
Tom Nichols, Automotive Machinery and Supply Company, Joshua, Texas
When I installed the wire O-ring, I used a mini handheld sander for the first 45° scarf cut. Then, I walked around the circular line, partially fixed in place, leaving a tail of about 5/8˝. Next, I mark the mating end with a felt-tip marker. This provides you with a visual reference for the tailoring and grinding of the scarf in place, so it can fit seamlessly and invisibly. Finally, I used an aluminum plate of the right size to drive the entire wire into the depth, my way of working. Even if there is no visible "joint", for asphalt racing applications, I still prefer to place the joint at the inner head bolt hole. If it leaks, I would rather let it enter the engine rather than on the surface of the track.
Ron Flood, Cedar Machine, North Branch, MN
Store Solution: Store Solution May 2021
Store Solution: Store Solution April 2021
Store Solution: Store Solution March 2021
Store Solution: Store Solution February 2021
ByEngine Builder staff on September 10, 2021
ByEngine Builder staff on October 11, 2021
Engine News: Preview of SEMA 2021
Video: Twin-turbocharged Nissan VQ37VHR engine
Video: Triple turbocharged LB7 Duramax engine
Engine News: Herzog Motorsports receives honors at the American Speedway Motor Museum
Engine News: Steven Cox serves as CEO of Turbo International as CEO
3,000 hp twin-turbocharged 427 cid LS engine
482 cid Stack Injected Ford FE engine
500 HP compound turbocharged 4BT Cummins engine
Four-cylinder 2.5L "Polo" Porsche engine