Whats the best "trick" or tech tip a mentor showed you?

I haven't read all of these wonderful tips yet so if i repeat i appologize. I use a dremel or such to shorten bolts. always put the nut on before you trim and when you back it off it will clean up any thread problem. everyone have a HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

 

If you want to finish a project you need to go into the shop for 10 minutes every day,even if you don't pick up any tools. Eventually those 10 minutes start to add up and lengthen and before you know it project is done.

 

Here's a tip I learned when I did my first brake job many years ago.

When doing drum brakes only disassemble and install one set of brakes at a time. You'll need the assembled brakes on the other side as a reference for reassembly. I learned this lesson the first brake job I did. I took the old shoes with me when I went to buy the new shoes so I wouldn't have to waste time making two trips. I wasted more time trying to figure out how to reassemble the brakes after I got back from the store and had a pile of parts next to each wheel that I didn't know where they went.

 

A great post! All I can add is an old Naval toast: " Here`s to wives and girlfriends.....May they never meet!

 

When I installed a TKO 600 Tremec manual transmission in my avatar, I made these two guide bolts by cutting the six-sided heads off the bolts and used a hack saw to cut a slot in each one. Then, I threaded the two guide bolts into the bellhousing , slid the transmission into place, threaded two regular bolts into the other two bolt holes, replaced the two guide bolts with regular bolts and done! This method made lining the transmission input splined shaft up with the clutch disc, and stabbing the pilot bushing, a whole lot easier.

 

Move finger... Hit what your working on with hammer...
Doesnt work to good the other way around...

 

This thread has a lot of good information in it. But, some of the latest posts are repeats and repeats of repeats. Do some of you think that you have more to offer and nothing to learn, so you do not bother reading the whole thing? Before just bumping up your post count read the thread! You will learn something!

 

Its 22 pages... And i have ADOS (attention defecit... oooo shiney!)

Heres a few real handy ones ive learnt...

When tubing bending, or when doing compound bends always account for shrinkage, and spring back...

When using a english roller ALWAYS pay attention to where your thumbs are. its real easy to get to focused on what your working on, next thing you know your thumb is flat... IT HURTS>>> ALOT!

 

Before account numbers were put on checks, I used two/three layers to adjust the tappets on my 348. The paper was .006" thick so 2 layers was .012" and 3 was .018".

A matchbook was .035" which worked for my points.

About 35 years ago, I had to put in a clutch in my OT Falcon but I didn't have a pilot shaft or broom stick. The clutch plate and pressure plate surface have the same diameter. I tightened the pressure plate just enough so I could move the clutch plate with my hands. I positioned the clutch plate by feel so it felt symmetric on all sides of the pressure plate. Feel all around it so all sides felt even. When you are confident the plate is centered, snug it down and slip the transmission in place. Once in place finish tightening the pressure plate through the inspection hole.

 

The orange air freshener from home depot is a great degreaser, I spray it my hands or a or greasy part and the grease comes right off and smells good!

 

I didn't read the whole thread yet, so sorry if this is a repeat.......
When checking brake pads on yours or a customers vehicle, give the caliper a sharp rap with a hammer and rotate the disc a bit. If they're riveted pads, you'll see circles of dust on the rotor face. No circles means bonded pads.

Check your local laws first, but here in Pima county, after 9:01pm on election day signage is up for grabs. Those corrugated plastic signs make great creepers if you work on gravel. Also a great source for free t-posts and rebar.

Here's a cheap vacuum bleeder for brakes:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=570486&highlight=brake+bleeder+tech&showall=1

To find a dead cylinder, aim a temp gun at each exhaust runner with the engine running. Dead one is noticeably colder.

When wiring a dashboard, run all the gauge wires to a gang connector so you can disconnect and remove the cluster without undoing every gauge wire. Junkyards are great sources for Weatherpak connectors, which is what I use.

 

Another tip: I always cut out my address from registration and insurance papers kept in the car. If your ride gets stolen, they can't track you back to your home.

Got an old hotrod and no place to store your papers? Use the inside of your flashlight, alongside your D cells.

 

Got an old hotrod and no place to store your papers? Use the inside of your flashlight, alongside your D cells.[/QUOTE]

What if someone steals the flashlight?


Ago

 

This is not so much a trick or tip as it is advice;

#1- "Don't believe everyting you think!"

#2- "Don't put your finger where you wouldn't put your pecker"
Thought of this one again when I read about one of us with a long attachment to a Vette headlight door


Vern
Saskatoon Sk Cdn
1944 Dodge 1/2 ton
1943 Fargo 2.5 ton

 

Not sure if it's been posted, but an old timer saw me tearing up a door panel trying to get a window crank off. He walked over to the other door, whipped a red shop rag out of his pocket, slid it behind the crank, pulled and "pop" it slid right off and the C-clip was snagged right there in the rag - and no harm was done to the door panel.

 

I suddenly feel stupid, that shop rag thing works slick, just tried it

 

Excellent!!!

 

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When using a vise or hydraulic press for anything,( u-joints, cups, bearings, bushings, axles, races ), if it dose not start straight, stop and turn assembly 90' then continue, it will self center and go right in straight.

 

Aluminum carburator parts that are sulfated from water bathroom bowl cleaner will clean it right up.

 

Trying to find the right drill bit for a hole to be tapped? Misplaced your tap/drill chart? Find the drill bit that fits snug through the same size nut that you are taping.

 

A good one from my gramps, from his experience owning an International dealership, trucking company, farms etc.- when your trying to break loose a rusted/ stuck bolt or nut, heat the bolt dead center, not the nut or what the bolt is threaded into. The bolt will expand enough to crush the rust in the threads, keep shooting it with penetrant or beeswax as it cools so it will wick in, and it will usually come right out when cold again

 

Need to measure round stuff? You have a whole collection of tubing measuring devices already. They're called WRENCHES!

 

If you have a transmission that has sat for a while(few years) and is sluggish shifting and leaking here is a great tip. I had a 2 speed Ford O Matic transmission in my 63 Fairlane that took 2-3 miles to warm up and shift into 2nd gear. It also dripped fluid on the floor. The car had been sitting for 11 years in a guys back yard. Talked to friend who had worked in a transmission shop and he suggested adding brake fluid. Not too much, just a paint spray can cap full. Didn't have to drive more than a couple of miles to notice the difference. It shifted like new and didn't leak another drop. The brake fluid swelled the seals and worked awesome.

 

Sounds like it would work alot better than popcorn kernels.

 

I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done. -Buddha

 

Probably has been mentioned before... But an old mechanic showed me how to use a stick and a hammer to bust a lower radiator hose off a rusty water pump bung.
Took him about 10 seconds where I would have struggled with the thing for 15-20 minutes and probably ruined the hose.
Every minute means $ if you're working for flat rate.

He also told me about a female school bus driver but that's another story...
RIP Verly W.

 

Got a header bolt you can't get a wrench on?

Weld a lug/stud to the head of the bolt, it will tighten against the header tube.

 

Wd-40 works well as a sootheing spray for ant bites.
Quick die (as in tap and die)use a nut with hacksaw cuts across the threads .
This seems stupid but always seems to work,when you cant find something ask someone(can be anyone i have even done this over the phone)what you are looking for always seems to turn up.

 

also an egg in the radiator to stop small leaks (i am on the fourth egg in my 62 chev radiator holed about 2 1/2 years ago)

 

Use duct, masking, or electrical tape and a paper towel to make a band-aid if injured while trying these tips.

Got a striped screw head, cut a slot with a thin cut off wheel and use a flat blade screwdriver to turn it.

Got a stubborn screw that is trying to strip, clamp vise grips to the shaft of the screwdriver, put all your weight against it and turn the vise grips. Watch it strip or watch it break loose.

Some bolts will actually break loose by tightening them a bit.

Got a nut or bolt that comes out a bit then gets tight and you know is going to break,
spray the threads with PB blaster run the bolt back in, and out, more spray, out, in. Don't try to forcibly only turn it out.