ever use a tool for years and find others never...

[grumpyvette]

have you ever use a tool for years and find other people have never thought of using it to save them-self's all kinds of grief?

well I had a guy stop over and ask me t check a few things on his car and he had a whole lot of electrical connectors and vacuum lines that needed to be temporarily removed to do that,he asked me how I was going to remember all the various connections and where they went and if it mattered if certain injectors were connected to certain injector connectors and how I was going to remember all the electrical connectors and vacuum hose connections etc. now having done this a few thousand times and knowing the potential to forget where connections went I grabbed my label maker and printed out several dozen labels for the connectors and I had a bunch of number tapes that you use, so you just stick lets say number 4 on both sides and then disconnect the connector or vacuum line and just match numbers when you do need to reconnect, things like keeping the firing order correct or vacuum hoses from getting connected wrong

RELATED THREAD
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3283&p=8681#p8681

label makers allow you to put label s like (coil pack #6) on the coil pack and matching connector, or label your tool chest drawers (screw drivers) (meters) etc,.

http://www.staples.com/Label-Makers/cat_CL90400

http://www.brother-usa.com/Ptouch/Ptouc ... uucKfLcSCk

3M sells these really handy number tape tags

http://www.clarcorpindustrialsales.com/ ... -p/wmd.htm
at about $30- $45 for a fully loaded dispenser it seems expensive but its really a bargain

http://www.ebay.in/itm/3M-SCOTCHCODE-12 ... 0617673795
you sometimes see these at swap meets and yard sales dirt cheap

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebse ... DSDRDS.PDF

http://3mcollision.com/products/tapes/t ... enser.html

 

[Indycars]

I've often thought about a label maker, but those ScotchCode numbers I've never seen before. How well do they hold up over time under the hood of a car ???

 

[grumpyvette]

you loop the number tape around wires or vacuum lines and they have one side , the back surface with adhesive tape with glue that sticks rather well to itself, but not much else, especially if your fingers get oily, if you don,t get the tape oily they stick to them selves rather well,and can last for years. making a little numbered flag type marker on components you want to label,. lets say you want to number an ignition wire , you would pull out about an 1.5" of the correct numbered tape center it on the wire, and fold both ends back, so the rear of the tapes meet and overlap and you have a little flag about 1/2' long with both outward numbered sides showing the number, after sticking the free ends, glue covered back surfaces together

 

[phantomjock]

they stick to them selves rather well,and can last for years. making a little numbered flag type marker on components you want to label,. lets say you want to number an ignition wire , you would pull out about an 1.5" of the correct numbered tape center it on the wire, and fold both ends back, so the rear of the tapes meet and overlap and you have a little flag about 1/2' long with both outward numbered sides showing the number, after sticking the free ends, glue covered back surfaces together

I've added clear shrink tube over the tags and that heps keep them in place too. Works great for identifying long runs at each end -- once you get them sorted out. Even holds up on some of the lines and sheets on a sailboat too. Great to help newbies and guests on a first sail to grab the correct one.

Cheers - Jim

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Valve-Tra ... y,162.html

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM2600/

http://www.jegs.com/i/Crane-Cams/271/99 ... Id=1528530

http://www.amazon.com/Competition-Cams- ... B001G8Z9BA

finding top dead center #1 for timing ignition & cam

INSTRUCTIONS, on the procedure Find Top Dead Center before you can set the ignition timing or install a cam correctly youll need to know how to locate TOP DEAD CENTER on cylinder #1 yeah, it takes a bit of work and a few accurate tools, but you don,t need to do much compared to tearing the...

garage.grumpysperformance.com

COMP SELLS A TOOL TO GROOVE LIFTER BORES

 

[grumpyvette]

THAT'S EASY!
its the skill level and experience of the guy or gal IN that garage that determines the level of expertize,and the resulting finished work, hand tools a decent set of jack stands and knowing what your doing will ALWAYS produce better results than all the lifts, compressors,welders etc. in the world in un-skilled hands.
Im a tool junky, IM a firm believer and having the correct tools for any job youll do repeatedly,but while having the correct tools speeds up the work and makes it easier to do, hand tools in skilled hands can do just as much work, and at times get better results, it just takes longer and requires more effort.
you DON,T need to be comfortable, or have the best tools, but you do need to understand what your trying to accomplish and how the parts work, what caused them to fail and what you'll need to do to correctly repair or modify them
having the correct lighting, a lift,air conditioning, cold beers etc, may be nice, but it adds little but added comfort or ease of access to the guy doing the work, its the skills of the guy doing the work and his extensive experience and understanding of mechanics that gets the job done

some reference info

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/index.php

other than an extensive list of HAND TOOLs
like a VOM meter
timing light
vacuum gauge
fuel pressure gauge
IR TEMP GUN
JACK STANDS
and shop manuals/ and a decent set of diagnostic meters sure helps (ILL POST MY TOOL LIST BELOW)

Id say a good
quality welder,
die grinder
compressor,
DRILL PRESS
QUALITY lift,
are nice but not MANDATORY, because you can usually borrow or sub out some of the work

BTW heres MY TOOL LIST, IVE POSTED BEFORE,.....IF IT FITS IN A COUPLE OF MY PRO SIZED TOOL CHEST ITS A HAND TOOL.....and YEAH IVE GOT 90% or more PLUS of those tools in my tool chest...LIKE I SAID IM A TOOL JUNKY......but the lift, compressor, welders are great but not necessarily mandatory

GRUMPYVETTES BASIC TOOL LIST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
l items that may come in handy -not a comnplete list but it will get you started
A set of quick release tools for late model gm fuel lines and a/c line disconnects.
ACETYLENE TORCH
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH PUSH ROD
ADJUSTABLE POINTER ,
Adjustable stand, for dial indicator
Air compressor
Air ratchet
Allen wrenches
Allen wrenches
ASK QUESTIONS (its important to get answers BEFORE screwing up)
ASSORTED FILES
Assorted pliers/vise grips
ASSORTED SOCKETS,OPEN AND BOX WRENCHES 1/2",3/8".1/4" DRIVE
auto xray software
Ball joint press tools
Ball joint separator forks
Battery charger(full size shop type)
Bench grinder w/ wire wheel
Bench grinder w/ wire wheel
bearing press 12 ton hydrolic
Big huge screwdriver which doubles as a pry bar
BORE GAUGE
Brake spring pliers and retaining spring tool
Breaker bar
CAM BEARING INSTALLER
CAM DEGREE WHEEL
CAM HANDLE
CARBIDE BURRS
Carburetor stand
CC Burette Kit/PLUS STAND
Checking springs
chisels (assorted sizes/types)
clamp for compressing calipers
CLUTCH PILOT
Coil spring compressors
COMMON SENSE
Compression gauge
Compression tester
Compressor
CRANK SOCKETS
Creeper
Crows feet
Cutting torch
CYLINDER HONE
Deep sockets
DENT PULLER
DEPTH GAUGE
Dial indicator,
Die grinder
digital meter
Differential Set-up Kit
Distributor wrench sae
Distributor wrench metric
Drain pans all sizes
Dremel tool set to cut rivets etc.
DRIFT PUNCHES (assorted sizes/types)
Drill bits
DRILL PRESS
Drop light (florescent preferred)
Duct tape
Dwell meter for the older cars
EASY OUTS
ELECTRIC SOLDER GUN
Electrical connectors assorted
Electrical tape
Engine hoist
ENGINE LEVELER
ENGINE STAND
Feeler Gages
FIRE EXTINGUISHER co2
FIRE EXTINGUISHER powder
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 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 2"
Gasket scraper4"
Gear Pullers (assorted)
GM disk brake caliper Allen key 3/8 and 5/16
GOOD KNOWLEDGEABLE FRIENDS
Grease gun
Harmonic balancer puller
HARMONIC BALLANCER INSTALLER
HONING STONE
Impact sockets
Jack stands and a 2 1/2 -3 ton full size service floor jack
JEWELERS FILES
LAPTOP COMPUTER with diagnostic software
Leakdown tester
LIFTER BORE HONE
LIFTER GROOVE TOOL
Line wrenches
LUIS TOOL
Magnet
MAGNETIC PICK UP TOOL
MAGNIFYING GLASS
Mallet
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 plier type
Oil filter wrench expandable type
Oil pump primer chevy
Oil Pump Primers hydrolic
ONE NEW SOLID LIFTER
Paint gun
PB BLASTER OIL
Permanent marker
Pipe cutter
PISTON RING COMPRESSOR
Piston stop,
Pitman arm puller
Plasma cutter 200amp
Plasma cutter 60amp
PLASTIC HAMMER
Plastic zip-lock bags
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
REFERENCE MANUALS
Retracting extension cord
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
Safety glasses
Sandblaster
SCAN SOFTWARE
Shorty wrenches
Sledge or mall hammer
SMALL FLASH LIGHT
Snap ring pliers internal and external
Speed wrench
SPRING COMPRESSOR
Standard set of drift pin punches, alignment punches, and centering punches.
Steering column lock plate compressor
Steering wheel puller
Stethoscope
Stick/arc welder
STUD INSTALLER
TAPE MEASURE
Taps & dies
Test light
Three or four of every size socket and wrenches plus extensions ETC.
Throw-away vinyl gloves
Tig welder
Timing light
Tire iron
Tire Pressure Gauges
Torque wrench 3/8'
TORQUE WRENCH 1/2"
Transmission jack
Tubing bender
Tubing cutter
Tubing flare tool
Utility knife
Utility knife
VACUUM GAUGE
Valve spring compressor
Wheel chocks (keep cars from rolling)
Wire crimper

surprisingly a good deal of that stuff fits inside three pro-size craftsman tool boxes,that stand 6 feet tall and 40" wide and have 22 drawers each (at $2000 each..ON SALE??) and the stuff like various welders,bearing presses,hoists ETC. don,t take up as much room as you might think, YEAH! its taken YEARS to acquire all that!,
but Ive done lots of minor repairs in exchange for tools guys were not useing

 

[Randy_W]

I label hard parts with masking tape, I write the name/number on it, tear off a couple inches and wrap whatever it is or number the cardboard sheet or whatever. As for underhood or any wiring and hose connections, I just take pictures with my iPhone and look at them when I put it back.

 

[grumpyvette]

youll eventually find a need to replace valve springs on any car that you either race or replace a cam in its engine so youll need the correct valve spring compressor tool
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=903&p=1465#p1465

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w ... dia/images
you might be amazed at what a few tests with a fuel pressure gauge can tell you

THESE TOOLS WORK REASONABLY WELL ON A SBC WITH STOCK VALVE SPRINGS, BUT THERES BETTER TOOLS and WELDING A 12: SECTION OF 1"x1" SQUARE TUBE TO EXTEND THE HANDLE LEVERAGE HELPS

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/prod ... category=6

THIS TOOL WORKS OK ON SINGLE SPRINGS BUT NOT DUAL VALVE SPRINGS
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/otc-4573/media/images

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w ... dia/images

THIS TOOL IS A BIT FLIMSY BUT WORK ON MOST HEADS WITH STOCK SPRINGS BUT ONLY WITH THE HEADS OFF THE ENGINE

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-9 ... dia/images

THIS TOOL WORKS ON SOME HEADS BETTER THAN OTHERS, WITH THE HEADS ON OR OFF THE ENGINE

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-6 ... dia/images

THIS TOOL WORKS FINE IF THE HEADS ARE OFF THE ENGINE
I keep the following parts available in the shop for my corvettes, general maintenance
BUY A DARN, A SHOP MANUAL FOR ALL THE CORVETTES
OR MUSCLE CARS
EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF TOOLS
dating the oil filter, AIR AND FUEL FILTERS and writing the mileage on it with a non-erasable marker, and ideally writing the maintenance down in a log book you keep in your shop, in a drawer so it won,t get lost, with details like the type of oil used , filters, and other related info, helps, documenting maintenance, is a damn good idea, as so many people don,t have a damn clue as too the last time or at what mileage the last oil change was actually done!
(and writing the info down in a maintenance log book has some potential of either not getting it written down at all or mis-placing the log book)

BRAKE PADS FRONT & REAR
BRAKE FLUID 2 qts
MOLY BEARING GREASE
SPARK PLUGS
SEVERAL extra OIL FILTERS
AT LEAST A COUPLE CASEs OF SYNTHETIC OIL
several qts of synthetic rear diff fluid
several cases of synthetic transmission fluid
SERPENTINE BELTS
ASSORTED FUSES & RELAYS
fuel filters
LOTS OF SPARE U-JOINTS
ONE complete set of radiator hoses
several qts of MARVEL MYSTERY OIL
cans of throttle body cleaner
several cans of fuel injector cleaner
several gallons of anti freeze
the local chevy dealers parts dept. and NAPA store phone numbers