This is a little engine compartment dress up tip. If you're running a aftermarket overflow catch can and water neck, go to Lowes and look in the plumbing section and pick up a peice of Stainless Steel Braided "Ice maker" line to run from the water neck to the catch can. It looks great and it is alot cheaper than the stuff from jegs, plus it already has the fittings on it. I've had alot of complimates on mine at the track. I also did the same thing for my air shifter, mine never saw more than 80# pressure and never had any trouble.

Jason

For those that build their own powerglides, here is a neat little bench that works perfect for assemblying a pg trans and allowing the tailhousing to hang down.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47844

Use wire ties on converter when removing or installing trany. Go through bolt holes on converter to inspection shield bolt holes on trany on both sides and pull tight. Keeps converter from falling off and a big cleanup.

when detailing engine compartment with paint, use aluinum foil to cover odd shaped pieces. no tape required and it molds to the piece and holds tight

quote:

Originally posted by headwrench:
when detailing engine compartment with paint, use aluinum foil to cover odd shaped pieces. no tape required and it molds to the piece and holds tight

thats a smart 1 thanks

you are welcome

1. When trying to pull an axle out that will not come out easily, install a brake drum on the axle backwards. Install 3 lug nuts, also backwards and only until the lug is full of stud. You now have a good axle puller. You should always try to pull the brake drum while centering on the threads of the studs, but I've never damaged a single stud by doing this. It has worked every time for me.

2. When trying to remove a pilot bushing from a crankshaft. Fill the bushing almost full with grease, insert an input shaft and smack it with a big ass hammer.

3. The wife's dishwasher makes a great final wash for pistons, pins, rods, bearings etc. They should be fairly clean before going in. Like after you've done a few mock ups and you're now ready for final assembly. My disclaimer: I've never actually done this, but I know some guys that claim it's great.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ron Gusack,

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Gusack:
2. When trying to remove a pilot bushing from a crankshaft. Fill the bushing almost full with grease, insert an input shaft and smack it with a big ass hammer.

This also works when replacing the rear bearing in an Moroso vacuum pump..

Dave

Removing the Glide or changing flex plate or converter from dragster.

Back the car out of trailer so the rear is clear of the ramps but front is still in trailer high above ground. Then jack the rear way up. Like that there's lots of room to let the tranny come down on a 2nd jack and easy to jack back up. When this is a one man jobs makes it more reasonable.

##1 TIP DONT GET IN A FIGHT WITH YOUR WIFE BEFORE THE RACES, REALLY MAKES FOR BAD LIGHTS

quote:

Originally posted by vpr351:
##1 TIP DONT GET IN A FIGHT WITH YOUR WIFE BEFORE THE RACES, REALLY MAKES FOR BAD LIGHTS

Yeah, It's hard to see the tree with both of your eyes swollen shut!!

Dave

use a windshield sun shade to lay on for under car work. they can be bought for 2-3 bucks, fold up for easy storage, and is even nice to keep in the trunk of your daily driver for those roadside repairs, ie flat tires ect.

quote:

Originally posted by David Covey:
The tootsie roll trick reminded me of another.

Tip 1:
If you need to replace a valve spring while the head is installed and do not have an air supply. (I don't know why you would have the valve spring tool!)

Use a piece of small diameter rope, pull the plug, rotate until TDC or close to top, insert rope into cylinder until full then rotate engine until it stops (do this by hand). Remove and replace spring reassemble and you are ready to go.

Oh, be sure to remove rope first

Tip 2:

Not for race car but, an old Army BDAR trick, If you loose your fan belt while on the road, the belt you use to hold your pants up with can be used as a fan belt, just keep it slow.

Of course the younger generation can't use this trick since they obviously don't use a belt to keep their pant up!!

Dave

Hey, one time on a trip back from the beach had to use a pair of the girlfriend's pantyhose to get the car home! And yep, I married her 36 years ago.

A couple more I just remembered...CRS and old age is killing me..Why can't I remember these all at once?

If your car has electric windows (most do now days) if you roll the window down and it will not go up (Check fuse first) try this.

While holding the button in the up position smack the door panel close to where the window motor is located either with your hand or a rubber mallet. Sometimes that jars it enough to get it past the bad spot on the armature.

Same trick different situation..

If you go to start your car and all you get is the starter solenoid clicking but you know the battery is good. Have someone hold the starter engaged while you hit the starter with a hammer. Same principle you can jar it past the bad spot and the engine will crank over.

I have used both tricks many times in the past and they do work.

Dave

Same trick with a in tank electric fuel pump on your daily driver or tow rig. Turn the ignition on and then whack he bottom of the tank wih a mallet. If you have a 4x4 with a skid plate you can use something harder(I used my hich drawbar once

we keep a 3-ring binder with all instruction sheets, wiring diagrams ect. of everything on thr racecar,and most important part numbers. it has come in handy several times for us as well as others at the track

If you need a large hole in sheetmetal, find an elecrician friend and see if they have a set of knock out punches. These two piece punches cut a perfectly round and burr free hole. Just remember that the sizes marked on the punches are for wire conduit with that INSIDE diameter.

This is a Carb Stand that i made. I used a $5 1/2in carb spacer that i got from a Swap meet. I used 4 6in carriage bolts with a washer and nut on both sides. I have about 8 dollars in the stand. its real sturdy.














Tee

Next time you are leaving the grocery store, grab one of those small, (5x7" or 8") glossy real-estate magazines or apartment-finder booklets on the Free rack. Keep one in vehicle, one in garage, race trailer, etc. They contain about 20 handy tear-out paper funnels for adding oil, ATF, etc! You just roll-yer-own to fit whatever size opening!

quote:

Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:
Next time you are leaving the grocery store, grab one of those small, (5x7" or 8") glossy real-estate magazines or apartment-finder booklets on the Free rack. Keep one in vehicle, one in garage, race trailer, etc. They contain about 20 handy tear-out paper funnels for adding oil, ATF, etc! You just roll-yer-own to fit whatever size opening!

That's all my Dad used his entire life. I was probably 20 before I saw a "real" funnel, I was amazed they made such a thing. Still, the "custom" made paper funnels are almost always cleaner than any plastic or metal funnel that's been used more than once, IMHO. I still use the slick paper customs myself - another instance when Dad was a lot smarter than I gave him credit for...