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Engine building tools #2785756
06/15/20 03:23 PM
06/15/20 03:23 PM
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Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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I typically pick up a new tool with each customer motor I build. It may be a simple as a ring compressor or more significant like the Total Seal electric ring filer.

Here are a few pictures of my main engine building tools, not shown are light valve checking springs, PAC install height gage/mic, Andy's BB and SB metal plates for mounting dial indicator for checking lifter, valve or rocker height/travel, adjustable length checking push rod, dial caliper, engine brushes, solvent tank, 9" bore flashlight, mirrors.

What other tools have you engine builders found useful that I don't have and should consider?

Tools.jpgtools3.jpgtools4.jpgtools6.jpg

Wade Metzinger 918-809-0987
71 Cuda 9.28@145 -1s, Pglide
68 Cuda 10.64@124 1.45 60's 318->390 eddys
Moparts discount code on WIX - moparts www.Filter1.com
Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2785821
06/15/20 07:17 PM
06/15/20 07:17 PM
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Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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I am not a professional eng builder by trade but I have been an auto tech since 1974 and learned all the basic eng building in training and working as a dealer tech all my life. I just build my own engines and some friends. I really like my telescoping gauges as I used them for valve spring height for years but did break down and get a valve spring height gauge this year. And have most of the basic tools of the Comp degree wheel , 3 dail indicators , piston height gauge , micrometers , cyl bore gauge , dail calipers and so on. My brother has his own machine shop so I have access to all his tools also like the valve spring tension tester and many others. I also broke down and bought a new Starrett dail caliper this year as the one I have that's digital seems to always have a dead battery every time grab it. But since I don't build engines everyday I guess that why. My brother also has a boring machine and all the valve equipment to do valve jobs but we have the stones which work fine for us and not the more modern cutters many use now. The one thing I like to question is how important is the rod bolt stretch gauge today since we just torqued rod bolts for so many years ? And I also still use a file in a vise to file ring gaps but if I did a lot of engines of course I would buy the tool. Ron

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Last edited by 383man; 06/15/20 07:23 PM.
Re: Engine building tools [Re: 383man] #2785856
06/15/20 08:53 PM
06/15/20 08:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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Those are some good ones, I never learned how to use telescoping gauges.

Here are a few more I thought of and dig out.some are specialty tools for Jessel belt drives.

I have a 12” dial caliper but it’s a really cheap one and need to buy a good set. I mainly use them for measuring push rods and deck height.

8E35ECEB-EE86-4C09-9887-9B947CAE168E.jpeg
Re: Engine building tools [Re: 383man] #2785857
06/15/20 08:59 PM
06/15/20 08:59 PM
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NC
440Jim Offline
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I am a camshaft measuring crazy man. So for roller cams, I like a lifter tool with a ball on the end (wheel dia). The o-ring seal on the lifter bore is nice to hold it in place.
From the Comp Cams web site: Comp Cams web page link
I actually made my own with a dia for Mopar.

Since you have a KB block with the double side bolts, I made a tool to press the caps on straight. It also removes them easily, but that is nothing special.

Main_Cap_install2.jpg

1993 Daytona, 5.50 at 130mph (1/8) 1.19 sixty ft (PG). Link to 572 B1 - Part 1
Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2785874
06/15/20 10:28 PM
06/15/20 10:28 PM
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Bend,OR USA
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Sonic tester so you know which blocks to use or not use work up


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Engine building tools [Re: Cab_Burge] #2785939
06/16/20 09:47 AM
06/16/20 09:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
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I bought my Sunnen dial bore gage (.0001") in 1977 for I believe $700. (About the same price as a Hemi convertible.) It seemed like a lot of money but it's the best. It's easy to use and you will really know your clearances. Today they are only $1,000. A few decades later I saved up enough to buy the Sunnen setting fixture. ($2,000.) You will start wanting one of those the day you get your dial bore gage. Don't be afraid to spend a lot of money on the best tools. They last a lifetime. 1977 was over 40 years ago.


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Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2785962
06/16/20 10:51 AM
06/16/20 10:51 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,496
Tulsa, Oklahoma
340Cuda Offline
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I futzed around with wire pointers when using a degree wheel to degree camshafts for years.

I finally got one of these a few years ago and enjoy it.

http://jamisonequipment.com/machine/calspec-professional-degree-wheel-pointer

pointer.gif
Re: Engine building tools [Re: rickseeman] #2786198
06/17/20 12:11 AM
06/17/20 12:11 AM
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DFW
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mr_340 Offline
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Originally Posted by rickseeman
I bought my Sunnen dial bore gage (.0001") in 1977 for I believe $700. (About the same price as a Hemi convertible.) It seemed like a lot of money but it's the best. It's easy to use and you will really know your clearances. Today they are only $1,000. A few decades later I saved up enough to buy the Sunnen setting fixture. ($2,000.) You will start wanting one of those the day you get your dial bore gage. Don't be afraid to spend a lot of money on the best tools. They last a lifetime. 1977 was over 40 years ago.


I've bought a few Mitutoyu ring gauges to set my dial bore gauges. Is this the unit you have?

https://goodson.com/products/sunnen-dial-bore-gauge-setting-fixtures


Floyd Lippencott IV
Re: Engine building tools [Re: mr_340] #2786208
06/17/20 02:53 AM
06/17/20 02:53 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,262
New York, USA
Chargerfan68 Offline
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Originally Posted by mr_340
Originally Posted by rickseeman
I bought my Sunnen dial bore gage (.0001") in 1977 for I believe $700. (About the same price as a Hemi convertible.) It seemed like a lot of money but it's the best. It's easy to use and you will really know your clearances. Today they are only $1,000. A few decades later I saved up enough to buy the Sunnen setting fixture. ($2,000.) You will start wanting one of those the day you get your dial bore gage. Don't be afraid to spend a lot of money on the best tools. They last a lifetime. 1977 was over 40 years ago.


I've bought a few Mitutoyu ring gauges to set my dial bore gauges. Is this the unit you have?

https://goodson.com/products/sunnen-dial-bore-gauge-setting-fixtures


I believe the one he is talking about is the 2-6” dial bore gauge. The other one is not large enough for common rod and main bearing measurements. It is an awesome piece of equipment and will last for many decades with increadible repeatability.


1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
Re: Engine building tools [Re: Chargerfan68] #2786256
06/17/20 09:16 AM
06/17/20 09:16 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
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Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
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Re: Engine building tools [Re: rickseeman] #2786269
06/17/20 09:26 AM
06/17/20 09:26 AM
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Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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I'd need to take a class on how to use that... I think I know how to use the dial bore gauge but what is the fixture used for and why?

Last edited by WadeMetzinger; 06/17/20 09:42 AM.

Wade Metzinger 918-809-0987
71 Cuda 9.28@145 -1s, Pglide
68 Cuda 10.64@124 1.45 60's 318->390 eddys
Moparts discount code on WIX - moparts www.Filter1.com
Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2786273
06/17/20 09:39 AM
06/17/20 09:39 AM
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Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
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Super simple and dead on every time. Much easier than having to set the dial bore gage with a mic everytime.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2786278
06/17/20 09:46 AM
06/17/20 09:46 AM
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GTX MATT Offline
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If you want a valve spring checking tool, and you already have a hydraulic press, a regular analog bathroom scale and a dial indicator will allow you to measure them. You need an analog scale that goes up pretty high though unless you're using stock type springs, a standard $15 300 lb scale is not very accurate at 300 lbs, but will work if you just want to make sure seat pressures are where they should be for most applications.

I really like the big blue moroso wheel for degreeing cams, too big to use in most cars but really easy to read. If you're like me though you will start writing down 0.25 and 0.5 degree increments.

Also engine bags are really pretty cheap, but I hardly ever see anyone I know using one when they build an engine at home. They are well worth it.

One day I'll have a nice dial bore gauge!


Last edited by GTX MATT; 06/17/20 09:48 AM.

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Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street
Re: Engine building tools [Re: rickseeman] #2786279
06/17/20 09:52 AM
06/17/20 09:52 AM
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Posts: 2,073
Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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How do you use it, the pictures of it don't help me at all.

Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2786291
06/17/20 10:40 AM
06/17/20 10:40 AM
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Tulsa, Ok
WadeMetzinger Offline OP
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I've been considering upgrading my Snap-on torque wrench to one of their new electronic one that don't just click once you've reached your torque setting but also tell you digitally exactly how much your torqued. At time when your torquing nuts you can feel it slide just as it reaches the specified torque and sometimes when it clicks it sort of sneaks up on you and you don't stop immediately but you really don't know if you over torqued or not.

I've got a cheaper brand 1/4 inch pound torque wrench I could up grade but I don't use it much and I wouldn't mind getting a torque wrench that goes beyond 150lbs that my Snap-on maxes out at.

Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2786309
06/17/20 11:29 AM
06/17/20 11:29 AM
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This isn't a pretty picture but it gives you an idea. You leave it in the case when you use it. Disregard the calibration instruction, you don't use those in everyday life. And really I don't use the spanner wrench much. Finger tight is fine.

https://www.sunnen.com/graphics/assets/documents/aafacb1f483e.pdf


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Re: Engine building tools [Re: rickseeman] #2786338
06/17/20 12:05 PM
06/17/20 12:05 PM
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North Carolina
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Look into a BIGGER degree wheel. The bigger the wheel the more accurate it will be. Todd

Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2786394
06/17/20 01:28 PM
06/17/20 01:28 PM
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Use your mike for setting up the dial bore gauge zero, make sure and use the checking standard for your mike to ensure that zero is zero on the mike up twocents
I have a Sunnen dial bore gauge that rears in .0005 increments, not the better .0001. , I also got the checking fixture for it but I don't use it do to the possibility of errors by stacking the checking standards and dirt or dust getting in between those parts, I don't use it now.
I also have a Mit (SP) dial bore gauge that does read in .0001 increments so I use it instead of the Sunnenup


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Engine building tools [Re: WadeMetzinger] #2786428
06/17/20 02:35 PM
06/17/20 02:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
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Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
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Originally Posted by WadeMetzinger
I've been considering upgrading my Snap-on torque wrench to one of their new electronic one that don't just click once you've reached your torque setting but also tell you digitally exactly how much your torqued. At time when your torquing nuts you can feel it slide just as it reaches the specified torque and sometimes when it clicks it sort of sneaks up on you and you don't stop immediately but you really don't know if you over torqued or not.

I've got a cheaper brand 1/4 inch pound torque wrench I could up grade but I don't use it much and I wouldn't mind getting a torque wrench that goes beyond 150lbs that my Snap-on maxes out at.


I have a couple of those. They have their place. If you buy one (and they b pricy) get the one that does degrees also since some fasteners want it done that way now. And take the batteries out when you get done with it or they will be dead the next time you want to use it.


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Re: Engine building tools [Re: rickseeman] #2786490
06/17/20 05:39 PM
06/17/20 05:39 PM
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Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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That is nice ! I can see a pro using that. I would love to have it but at over 2k its a tuff hit for a guy like me who just does his own engines and some friends. And living on disability don't help. But if I did it everyday for a living definetly. Ron

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