9/28/2009
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: September 2009
Parts Disposal
I had a customer who needed a timing belt for a 3.5L Mitsubishi. He purchased a core engine to complete the build. There are a few different setups for that engine depending on the vehicle model. I did not want to order three different belts to find out which one was correct, so I asked him to count the teeth on the old belt. “I threw it out,” were the words I’ve heard far too often.
When you sell a rebuild, you write a work order or at least an invoice of some kind. There are usually numbers on such an invoice. There are also these nifty little stackable plastic bins available at your local Wherever-Mart; they are perfectly suited for the temporary repositories of SOON TO BE disposed of parts. Get a paper tag and write the invoice number on it and attach it to an empty bin. Disassemble the engine and place the old parts in the bin. Do not throw away old parts until you have received the new ones and made sure they are correct. This makes everyone’s job easier and, your parts guy probably won’t hate your guts and charge you for the aggravation.
Ray Goebel
Engine Rebuilders Warehouse, Inc.
Dania Beach, FL
Try Putting the Silicone Away!
Many times oil leak comebacks are caused by the use of silicone or some other type of sealant coating that is used with the gasket.
Newer, high-tech gaskets, in many cases today, require no sealer at all, just a clean dry surface, proper torque and good mating surfaces. Intake manifold applications may require a very thin layer of RTV sealer around the cooling passages if they are pitted.
Cork gaskets may also require a small amount of RTV sealer to make up for imperfections in the sealing surfaces. In the old days guys put cork gaskets in warm water to make them swell a bit before installation. Just remember: don’t over torque!
Urethane steel reinforced gaskets should not be used with any sealers. Just torque to manufacturer’s specs, and if the parts and sealing surfaces are clean and not damaged you’ll have a good seal.
Bill Williams
Beaver Ridge Auto
Fairplay, CO
Ford FE Engine Oil Restrictor
Here’s an easy way to cut the excessive oil flow to the rockers on a Ford FE engine. Take a 5/16˝ dowel pin from a small block Chevrolet and drill a .080˝ hole down the center. Then remove the rocker shaft and slide the finished pin down in the oil feed hole in the cylinder head. The head bolt and the rocker mount bolt will hold it in place.
Jim Polarek
Owner
Polarek Engines
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