Finger print your engine or anything else for that matter. Intakes are a hot item, I'll use that for an example. Pick a spot that is in the open that's unlikely to be ground away or polished. Add a smear of grafite or pencil lead, and apply clear tape over it. It will pick up the texture of the metal, and you have a 'finger print' of that part. Stick the tape to a sheet of paper, label it, and where the print came from. If you get ripped off, you can identify your parts. No one knows it's been done, so they won't try to hide it, by grinding it away, like a name or serial number.
Two simple ones: For sandin contours, tape a sheet of plastic wrap to the contour in question. Build a box around it with cardboard and fill with spackle or water putty . When set, you have a perfect mate to work the panel with. ! Soda pop removes rust and sets a coating when rusty fasteners soak in it overnight ( phosphoric acid ) . OK , one more (repeated) When using hole saws , drill a few holes tangental to the main one so the chips have a place to go ;otherwise you're spending time clearing chips and jams .The saws last a lot longer that way also HTH Jorge
When changing your oil and removing your oil filter, take a plastic grocery bag and wrap it around your oil filter so you dont get a shot of hot oil to the head when it comes free.
OK I know tech week is over but here's one more. When I work with multiple air tools such as die grinders, cut off wheels and body saws and I don't want to keep losing them I have an old drum brake that I use as a portable stand. Just stick the male air chuck end through the lug holes and viola. It also geeps the grinding dust out of them as the open end is pointed down. My welding table also has a few holes in one corner for the same purpose. Thanx for all the great tips.
The Jalopy Journal
