tool list,(far from complete) but it will get you started

grumpyvette · Nov 29, 2008

a set of quick release tools for late model gm fuel lines and a/c line disconnects.
ACETOLENE TORCH
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH PUSHROD
ADJUSTABLE POINTER ,
adjustable stand,for dial indicator
assorted pliers/vise grips
air compressor
air ratchet
Allen wrenches
200 amp ARC WELDER
ASK QUESTIONS
ASSORTED FILES
ASSORTED SOCKETS,OPEN AND BOX WRENCHES 1/2",3/8".1/4" DRIVE
ball joint press tools
ball joint separator forks
battery charger(full size shop type)
Bench grinder w/ wire wheel
big huge screwdriver which doubles as a pry bar
(ONLY KIDDING BUY A DARN PRY BAR SET)
BORE GAUGE
brake spring pliers and retaining spring tool
CAM BEARING INSTALLER
CAM DEGREE WHEEL
CAM INSTALLATION HANDLE
CARBIDE BURRS
CC Buret Kit/PLUS STAND
checking springs
chisels (assorted sizes/types)
clamp for compressing calipers
CLUTCH PILOT
coil spring compressors
compression testor
COMON SENSE
CRANK SOCKETS
creeper
Crows feet wrenches
coolant system pressure tester
CYLINDER HONE
DENT PULLER
DEPTH GAUGE
dial indicator,
Die grinder
Differential Set-up Kit
distributor wrench
DRIFT PUNCHES (assorted sizes/types)
drain pans all sizes
dremel tool set to cut rivets etc.
DRILL PRESS
drop light/(floresent prefered)
dwell meter for the older cars
EASY OUTS
ELECTRIC SOLDER GUN
Electrical tape
engine hoist
ENGINE LEVELER
ENGINE STAND
Feeler Gages
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
flexible dwell key for point distributors
FREEZE PLUG INSTALLER
FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE
full set of assorted hammers all the way up to 5 lb hand held sledge or mall hammer
full set of tap and dies metric and standard
full set of torqze tip screw drivers and sockets male and female all sizes
full size vice
Gasket scraper
Gear Pullers
gm disk brake caliper allen key 3/8 and 5/16
grease gun
harmonic balancer puller
HARMONIC BALLANCER INSTALLER
HONING STONE
12 ton hydraulic press
IR temp sensor gun
jack stands (4) 12 ton minimum) and a 2 1/2 -3 ton full size service floor jack
JEWELERS FILES
LAPTOP COMPUTER
leakdown tester
LIFTER BORE HONE
LIFTER GROUVE TOOL
LUIS TOOL
magnet
MAGNETIC PICK UP TOOL
MAGNIFYING GLASS
MANUAL LUBE PUMP
MICROMETERS
MIG WELDER
Mini Valve Spring Tester
MIRROR
multimeter
normal screwdrivers all sizes
NUT SPLITTER
OIL CAN
oil filter and regular spin on filter wrenches.
Oil filter wrench
Oil Pump Primers
ONE NEW SOLID LIFTER
PB BLASTER OIL
pipe cutter
PISTON RING COMPRESSOR
piston stop,
pitman arm puller
Plasma cutter
PLASTIC HAMMER
pneumatic chisel
pneumatic impact guns 3/8 and 1/2 drive
pressure bleeder for brakes
PRY BAR
PUSHROD CHECKER
putty knife
ramps
rear caliper piston turning tool
REFERANCE MANUALS
RIFLE CLEANING ROD AND BRUSHES FOR OIL PASSAGES
ring expander pliers
RING GAP FILER
rochester idle mixture adjusting tool
ROD BOLT GUIDES
ROD BOLT STRETCH GAUGE
SCAN SOFTWARE
SMALL FLASH LIGHT
snap ring pliers internal and external
SPRING COMPRESSOR
standard set of drift pin punches,alignment punches,[censored] and cetering punches.
steering column lock plate compressor
steering wheel puller
Stethoscope
STUD INSTALLER
TAPE MEASURE
test light
TIG WELDER
three or four of every size socket and wrenches
timing light
Tire Pressure Gauges
TORQUE WRENCH
transmission jack
tubeing cutter
tubeing flare tool
tubeing bender
Utility knife
VACUUM GAUGE
Wire crimper
wheel chocks (keep cars from rolling)
most of us started out by buying a basic tool assortment from some place like sears.
but be aware they up the tool count by including a good deal of nearly useless tools on sets that cost over about $200.
and if your budget is limited as most of us must deal with, there are a few basic hand tools like hammers and wrenches, ratchets ,theres also a wide selection of tools you can get at yard sales, at auto part store sales and from places like HARBOR FREIGHT that will function, they don,t tend to be near the quality of snap-on but they don,t cost nearly as much and for the home mechanic they will generally get the job done, but Id stay away from any HF power tool most are very low quality.
If your like most of us, you'll acquire the tools you need as the need arises in most cases, but Id read the links and start out with the purchase of a basic mechanics set of ratchets,wrenches, sockets, screw drivers, etc.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-311-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

most of us find we accumulate tools on the basis of what we need at the time when we run into a job we can,t do with the tools we own.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/starter-tool-set.6032/#post-18696

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-hand-tools-to-buy.4069/#post-10827

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/labeling-your-tool-chest-drawers.3283/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ete-but-it-will-get-you-started.834/#post-125

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/tool-boxes-and-chests.10357/page-3#post-64730

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-51843

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Sear ... p=ZX503796

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUN-CP9001

http://www.etoolcart.com/autoxray-scann ... x6000.aspx

GOOD KNOWLEDGEABLE FRIENDS

FRISKY · Nov 30, 2008

Okay, I have all that stuff :shock: ...what now?? :lol:

Friar-Tuck · Nov 30, 2008

Oy-Va...
I have a Long way to go an a Short time to get there... :shock:
Poco-a-Poco.... (A little at a time.)
Thanks for the List Grump, at least now I have somewhere start.

This may seem awfuly fundamental, however there are lots of Folks new to the Lifestyle who might balk at asking
"Where Do I Start?" :?

I had been purchasing things as I need them, or whatever I thought the next project might take.
Truth is I don't even have a real tool box, let alone a set of rollaways.
Quite the Ragamuffin's assortment. Craftsman, SK, Proto, KD,Lisle, Harbor Freight.

I know.. I know, I just can't justify Snap-on, or Mac Etc.
If I could afford that stuff I surely would. Someday,Someday...
98% of you guys have more tied up in a single engine than we have in the whole driveway.

If I could afford to put $15K in an engine, It would deserve to have "The Good Stuff"
(and I realize $15 k is easy to rack up)

Jegs and Summit are looking pretty good for a dial indicator, stand and bore/snap gauges, degree wheel kit and test spring set.
There appears to be better quality stuff on e-bay, for around the same price, however it is ...Buyer Beware...
I'm catching up as fast as I can.

Tuck\o/

grumpyvette · Nov 30, 2008

Most guys started out with a $79 -$199 set craftsman set of mechanics tools, and a couple heavy duty jack stands and probably a floor jack, I know I did (back around 1963) and then buy all the tools you can get on your budget as the need and opportunity comes up. I sure didn,t have much when I started but I found that it was surprisingly easy to trade small jobs like water pump replacements and brake jobs for tools or money that I could use for tools and that at times PAWN SHOPS have a few deals, theres a few deals at HARBOR FREIGHT and NORTHERN TOOL, but you will be surprised at the deals you get if your looking and asking around all the time. I bought a old rusted caddy once just to get the 500 caddy engine, and found dozens of tools under the spare tire! it takes time but you'll eventually get a decent collection in this hobby, and since this hobby is wide spread keep your eyes out in the classifieds and bargain trader papers, OCCASIONALLY ,WIDOWS tend to unload large collections at super deals when their husbands pass on.

heres a good starter set

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 000P?mv=rr

BTW catch the jack stands on sale and have one of the 15% off coupons they hand out on occasion and you can get (4) 12 ton jack stands for under $123

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=34924

once you get past the point most of us start at, where you throw about 80% of your tools in a small portable tool chest like these

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ockType=G1
and youve upgraded to a roll around tool chest of some description,
(I know most of us would love a free full size professional tool chest, but usually find the checking account balance to be a limiting factor)

most guys find out that LABELING the drawers in the tool chest is a great idea, especially if you on occasion have friends help out on your car

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... E0Q8gIwBA#

http://www.staples.com/Brother-P-touch- ... 04:CL90400

label makers come in various designs but a nice one can be purchased for under $35, and a functional manual one for under $10

it helps to organize the drawers
EXAMPLE

screw drivers
Allen keys and torqx bits
drill bits
air tools/air ratchets/impact wrenches
dremel tools
mic stands and bridges, feeler gauges
meters/gauges/mics/precision measurement
stretch gauges & torque wrenches
engine diagnostic tools/inspection/testing
fuses,meters,electrical testing
valve train tools
gasket fabrication tools
long reach punches
piston, ring and bearing tools
pliers,dikes,vise grips
tubing flare/cutters, benders,and AN tools
BRAKE TOOLS
clutch ,bell housing alignment tools
transmission tools/snap ring pliers
gas welding/brazing related and soldering tools
SAE WRENCHES
SAE 1/4" drive sockets
SAE 3/8" drive sockets
SAE 1/2" drive sockets
METRIC WRENCHES
METRIC 1/4" drive sockets
METRIC 3/8" drive sockets
METRIC 1/2" drive sockets
extensions ,swivels ,breaker bars
cam degree tools
gear pullers and presses
suspension tools
TIG & MIG welding related
electrical connectors and testers
clamps,compressor and air tools
hammers , punches and chisels
stamps and dies
taps and dies & easy-outs
sealants/gaskets/scrapers/solvents
brake hones,cylinder hones
files and scrapers

Friar-Tuck · Nov 30, 2008

Thanks Grump!
Good advice,
And I think like you said before.. Where there's a will there's a way!

Tuck\o/

grumpyvette · Nov 30, 2008

Re: tool list,(far from complete) but it will get you starte

IF your looking for a way to make money or add to your tool collection, a great tool is a car transport trailer, and you can generally make a few bucks if you want to repair or build them as a side job

one of the facts of life is that high performance cars tend to break down
and its rarely sitting in your driveway when it does and youll rarely have the correct tools and parts with you so getting it back to your garage usually includes towing charges UNLESS you own a car trailer, now obviously you can buy one but if your skilled and own a welder you can usually build a nice one for less than 60% of the normal cost.
this is where a decent MIG welder comes in handy

http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/car-carrier-trailer-plans-18x80.html

http://www.trailerplans.com//index....mart&page=shop.browse&category_id=13&Itemid=2

http://www.plans-for-you.com/trailer.html

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...Id-100000169592/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000169592

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=907312

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=907324

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=907321

a decent power metal saw will be a big plus as will a large flat area of concrete, I frequently forget , and assume most guys have access too or know what tools are involved, in most projects and have a few friends willing to get invoved in car related projects.

its amazing how often a car trailer comes in handy, theres of course the transports due to break downs but theres DEALS to be had on NON-running cars ALL the time, I had a buddy recently who found a non-running 1970 caddy for FREE if he would just tow it away!
he borrowed my trailer, the car looked like #$%$%^^& but in about 5 hours it was RUNNING and driveable even if the interior was totally mildewed.

I and several of my friends have purchased a few car trailers that needed some repairs at a very good price, I got mine at a yard sale from a guy that lost his job here,and was moving back up to GA.

It looked like crap but on close inspection it could be repaired reasonably, most of the problems were cosmedic, like bent fenders, broken lights, needing paint, etc.

It was not for sale, at the time but I left my ph# and he called. he at first asked for twice what I evenually paid for it, and even with the repairs it was a decent deal.

so its not impossiable to go that route

"As far as loading a non-running vehicle onto a trailer, that's what winches are for! and there will be MANY a TIME that the car your working on or going out to retreive, won,t run well enought to drive up onto the trailer"

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33003

or if you want to get fancy

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91905

grumpyvette · Dec 9, 2008

Re: tool list,(far from complete) but it will get you starte

when you get into porting heads and re-building cylinder heads youll need a few specific tools

now IDEALLY youll be working with the engine out of the car and the cylinder heads on a bench, and youll need a few decent tools and some concept of what your looking at, and what your trying to do.
youll need to read thru these threads
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=399

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=697

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=663

but the basic idea is that youll need to know the installed height, the coil bind height, the clearances and spring load rates, and install the springs to match the manufacturers intended load rates and clearances for the application,thus at least partly insuring the valve train components can stabilize the valve train at the intended rpm band,and control valve float. any spring that fails to meet specks by more than about 7% in load rates should be replaced, and you need to be sure the clearances are correct and the rocker geometry is set up to place the majority of the pressure durring the rockers arc in the center of the valve to limit side loads and wear on the valve guides.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

heads off the car

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

heads on the car

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

now obviously many guys never get to the point in the hobby where they get into fabricating custom parts
many guys get by with hand tools and maybe a drill press, but for those guys that might want to experiment or know they can make a better part, youll require a few tools like a decent TIG WELDER,or MIG WELDER , a MILL,DRILL PRESS,AND A LATHEyour choices are almost endless and the chances of buying really good USED equipment , from a business that's moving or closing or upgrading,if you keep looking around and researching your options are excellent.
theres a tendency to buy the least expensive tools when first starting out, but that's seldom a great idea, you sure don,t want to spend the cash for top of the line tools when your first starting out either because you can very easily spend many multi thousands of dollars on basic tools and required tooling and accessories, that you'll seldom use in many cases,so think thru your needs.
but remember if you have the tools and acquire the skills there a great deal of satisfaction, in building custom parts and theres potential money to be made

heres some basic choices,in the larger and more expensive shop tools many of us would love to own, your needs may be far different but you can do about 99% of auto related work with these tools, and yes I'm fully aware that for many guys this is just a dream list, and for some of the more skilled the list contains less than top of the line imports that are not ideal for more than hobby use.

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=907321

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... de=K1855-4

http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Spee ... ress/G7947

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Milling ... Feed/G6760

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=907422

http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-x-22-Bench-Top-Metal-Lathe/G0602

a basic working lathe , drill press and mill,suitable for a good deal of auto work can be purchased NEW at a reasonable cost,

every shop needs at least a decent drill press, and a decent welder, a work bench would be great !

ever since the first time I saw this picture posted I thought this was darn impressive as a shop work bench
I kind of priced out what it might cost too build something similar, and quickly dismissed it as a project best left for some time when i had more cash flow available as I quickly calculated it costing in excess of $1200 to build in a 4 ft tall 4ft wide x 8ft long configuration with a 1/4" top plate and 6" sq legs with .250 wall thickness and 6' (I) beam support rails under the table top,which is what Id have selected

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=970&p=2373&hilit=+drill+press#p2373

and HAVING a mill and lathe is a HUGE ADVANTAGE

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2198&p=5909&hilit=+milling+machine#p5909

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=993&p=4129&hilit=+milling+machine#p4129

FRISKY · Dec 10, 2008

Okay, I have all that stuff too...what next?

grumpyvette · Dec 10, 2008

well, your ahead of ME, Im still missing about 5 items, on that list, but the next step is the heavy machine tools,
heres just a few to get you started..
Horizontal/Vertical Bandsaw
large LATHE
full size drill press
CNC controlled MILLING MACHINE with three axis indexing table
air dryier for compressor
airbrush paint guns
chassis dyno
EDM machine
power nibler
sheet metal brake/ shear
plazma cutter
english wheel
power belt sander
bench grinder
wheel ballancer
wheel mounter/changer
5 axis CNC Cylinder Head Porting Machine
engine exhaust analyzer
cylinder hone
cylinder bore
high pressure water spray cleaner
engine test run stand
sonic cylinder wall thickness tester
magnaflux testing equipment
LINE BORING & honeing MACHINE
assorted torque plates for honeing blocks
Flywheel Grinder
engine rotating assembly ballancer
Rod Reconditioning Equipment
Seat and Guide Machines
Surface Grinders
VALVE GRINDERS
crank journal grinder
valve spring tester
piston pin press
Thermal Engine Cleaning Processor
bead blaster cabinet
sand blaster
Alignment Wheel & Frame Straightening equipment.
air conditioning leak detectors $ freon reclaim equipment
FLOW BENCH and FLOW TESTING PROBES

FRISKY · Dec 12, 2008

Out of that last list, here is what I don't have in my racing machine shop:

English wheel...
I almost bought one a couple weeks ago, but decided I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost.

Sonic cylinder wall thickness tester...
On the rare occasions I have needed one, I borrowed one from a friend.

Flywheel Grinder...
It is too cheap to have done to justify the cost of a machine. It would never pay for itself.

Engine rotating assembly balancer...
I use one free at another shop. I get better results than the guy that owns it.

Crank journal grinder...
Same as Flywheel grinder.

Freon reclaim equipment...
Another shop does it for me for free and I don't have to worry about breaking government regulations.

FLOW BENCH and FLOW TESTING PROBES...
Used to have one, but sold it because I had access to one in another shop. That shop went out of business so now I need one again.

grumpyvette · Dec 12, 2008

if you've got all those machines handy all I can say, is...why aren,t you located on my block! Ive got a few 0f those items, and IM steadily acquiring more as the cash flow allows, but as a rather advanced hobbiest and part time custom engine builder,and not a larger business Im limited in what I can afford.

FRISKY · Dec 12, 2008

I quit retail business about ten years ago when I moved everything into the new shop building. :roll: Everything is hooked up and running.

So far I have kept most of the machine shop tools that took decades to aquire, but I don't use them very much and can't decide if I want to sell them or not. It doesn't cost me anything to keep them and the tools do come in handy for many projects other than building race cars.

I wish someone would want to open a new machine shop and make an offer for EVERYTHING, even though I'm sure I would kick myself every day for selling it.

grumpyvette · Dec 17, 2008

FRISKY · Dec 18, 2008

Re: tool list,(far from complete) but it will get you starte

grumpyvette said:
If you've got all those machines handy all I can say is..."Why aren't you located on my block!"

I've been thinking about this and have found the perfect solution. You should trade me a house on your block in Florida for my machine tools, that way we would BOTH be happy!

grumpyvette · Dec 18, 2008

all houses on my block are on 5 acre,7.5 acre or 10 acre lots, the last 5 acre lot with a house sold at a steep discount as an estate sale for $600K
I doubt that swap would be to my advantage as the average price is closer to $750K-$800K (luckly I bought mine 35 plus years ago or I could not afford it now)

FRISKY · Dec 18, 2008

The Great Danes need an acreage to run, so that would be okay.

That deal would probably be a bit more to my advantage, but I wouldn't mind. :lol:

Of course you would be getting me for a neighbor and that would be worth much more than the few hundred thousand dollars a house would cost...besides $800,000.00 is probably pocket change for someone that can afford a nice shop building like yours. :mrgreen:

grumpyvette · Dec 18, 2008

having & building that shop was a planned project I saved for and planned for, for over 35 years as my main retirement goal.
if youve got the persistance you find the way to reach your goals eventually.

grumpyvette · Jan 4, 2009

BTW on tool chests, rust can be a problem in some areas,my chests are twin CRAFTSMAN PRO MODELS, and the paints been totally un-effected,
IVE sprayed my basic hand tools(sockets, wrenchs extensions etc) down LIGHTLY every few weeks with WD40 for YEARS with no problems, but IVE got no IDEA about your draw liners might be made of so testing them by cutting a small bit and letting it soak in WD40 for a few days seems like a smart idea vs just spraying the hell out of your drawers and liners, vs mine, mine are thick plastic sheets and seem totally un-effected, BTW the WD40 tends to evaporate over time. ,

grumpyvette · Jul 5, 2009

I got asked? whats the best single mod for my car?

that questions usually asked by the newer guys and guys with a limited budget to spend on the car, looking at the hobby long term, .....
WHATS THE best single mod to DO TO YOUR CAR?
unless you've got a huge bank balance some thought needs to go into your goals
now to me its rather obvious that you plan your build to get to a goal, if its stopping faster you need better tires, bigger brakes and a better suspension, etc. but those mods will hardly be the best choice if the goal is keeping the engine from overheating in traffic for example.
FIRST ,you select a goal and do the necessary research, then you collect the necessary components to reach the goal.
and in many cases its not car parts you need as much as a decent place to work on the car and the tools to do that work.
Id say the first goal, is having some basic tools and a shop manual, and a decent place to work on the car, if you've ever been forced to work on your car in a dirt or sloping asphalt drive way without the correct tools Id think you'll agree that having basic tools and a decent flat section of concrete floor with a roof over it, even if its a simple car port beats the hell out of lying in the dirt, fighting fire ants and having the engine,stand or your jack stands tip as they sink into the drive way surface or working in the rain..

as to tools, a LIFT, is nice but not mandatory, (4) 12 ton jack stands and two floor jacks worked for me for several years ,a decent WELDER, is almost mandatory and a decent drill press sure helps, GOOD STABLE CAR RAMPS, and a work bench with a vise sure won,t hurt!
and testing and tuning tools plus basic hand tools come up before all the cams, heads etc. in my list. if you don,t have tools like a timing light, vom meter, pressure test gauges, and a decent selection of hand tools and a decent place to work, and a secure location to store your tools then THAT should be your first goal in my opinion,that might not be what you wanted to hear but 60 plus years of experience make me think its the correct route to take

philly · Oct 29, 2014

Re: tool list,(far from complete) but it will get you starte

i found something else very useful in a shop that you dont have on your list.... although its definitely not a beginner tool... valve seat cutting tools like the neway cutter set:

http://www.goodson.com/S-KA-1500-Neway- ... hevy-Ford/

and a brass hammer has really come in handy when i need to apply alot of force without messing up the thing im beating on... (this is particularly good for the cv drive axles on FWD or AWD transaxle vehicles) this is great for anyone who intend to swing a hammer beginner or expert

http://www.grainger.com/product/4A105?c ... 7AodBioADg

tool list,(far from complete) but it will get you started

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solid fixture here in the forum

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