Engine Pro

🔧 A quick alignment check could help prevent costly problems down the road.

The transmission mounting surface and timing cover should align with the crankshaft centerline, but this check is often overlooked. Misalignment can contribute to pump, converter, crank thrust, seal, and timing cover issues.

Ron Flood of Cedar Machine checks alignment using a precision bar, main bore rings, and a magnetic-base dial indicator. It’s also easy to sweep the surface on a line-boring machine with the boring bar locked in place.

Do you check these surfaces as part of your machining process? Share your approach in the comments. 👇

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🔧 CAM LOBE TAPER: DETAILS MATTER!

Randy Torvinen checks every new flat-tappet camshaft for proper lobe taper using a precision indicator. He’s found cams with less than .0005" of taper, including two in the same order that had to be returned for correction.

The lesson? Measure before you install. Catching small problems early can prevent bigger headaches later!

👏 Shop wisdom courtesy of Randy Torvinen, Torvinen’s Machine, Menahga, MN.

Have a shop tip of your own? Share it with us at enginepro.com/submit-a-tip/

Bead blasting tip that saves time (and screens) 🔧✨

I always drop a 10-gauge sheet metal plate into my bead blaster. It helps heavy parts slide more easily and takes the wear instead of the screen. Cleaner blasting with less hassle.

If you have a shop tip to share, submit it at enginepro.com/submit-a-tip/

Resizing Pontiac rods is easier with the right setup 🔧⚙️

When the pin boss is wider than the big end, you usually have to lift the rod to use the Delta Grinder.

A simple CK10 big-end spacer makes the job quick, repeatable, and accurate. Share your tip with us at enginepro.com/submit-a-tip/