Cover Your Glass
To make the glass in our glass-beading machine last longer, we cover the inside with duct tape, leaving a small open port to view the work. When this gets cloudy, we remove another small piece of the tape. Our glass lasts much longer now before it needs replacing.
Al Ramirez
L & B Connecting Rods
Anaheim, CA
Take Me to the Pilot
Just about everybody uses either dead pilot or live pilot valve seat forming tools. Once in a while when cutting large diameter seats chatter will occur. We have found that an application of STP or LUCAS engine oil treatment on the pilot will act as a “shock absorber” and dampen the vibrations, giving a smooth cut. With the KW dead pilot type, put it between the pilot and tool holder, and with the Serdi live pilot type, it goes on the pilot OD or inside the guide.
Timm Jurincie
Tuf-Enuf Auto & Marine Performance
Avondale, AZ
Feeling Rail Gap
It can be very difficult to check end gap on oil ring rails or gapless ring rails. I opened up the gap on a top ring of the appropriate bore size and squared it in the cylinder with a tool made from a scrap sleeve. Just set the rails on the top ring and they’re square in the bore. Now it’s much easier to get a feeler gauge in for an accurate measure.
Randy Torvinen
Torvinen’s Machine
Menahga, MN
Lifter Collapser
I manufactured a tool to collapse lifters including Toyota, Volvo and other bucket lifters. I made a frame for a bottle jack out of 1 1/2” and 2” square tube, used some valve springs to raise the base when the pressure is released and manufactured a slip-on plunger presser to get down inside the bucket lifters. The tool can be removed from its vertical position and placed horizontal to face the bleed holes down in cases where it is required. It slides into a piece of 2” square tube that is welded to a 20-ton press.
Steve Potz
Steve’s Engine Shop
Cocoa, FL
Bucket List
Here’s an easy way to carry, store and use just the right amount of air hose.
1. Drill a hole in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket, large enough for the quick-coupler to fit through.
2. Coil the hose as you store it in the bucket.
3. Pull as much hose as you need from the top of the bucket.
4. When done, repeat #2
This tip can be used for cables too. If using this method for an extension cord, be sure to use the correct gauge wire for the job and leave the lid off to prevent overheating.
Steve Rich
Sterling Bearing, Inc.
Kansas City, MO
