Specialty Engine Tools History
Compression testers, pullers, valve tools and other engine specialty gear.
What was a valve grinding machine?
Short answer: Valve grinding machines resurfaced valve faces and seats to restore sealing.
Valve grinding machines resurfaced valve faces and seats to restore sealing. Valve jobs were a common repair on older engines, making these machines standard in machine shops.
What was a cylinder boring bar?
Short answer: A boring bar cut cylinders to a larger size so oversize pistons could be fitted.
A boring bar cut cylinders to a larger size so oversize pistons could be fitted. It was a key tool in engine rebuilding.
How did fuel injection change engine tools?
Short answer: Fuel injection replaced carburetors and introduced high-pressure fuel lines, injectors and sensors.
Fuel injection replaced carburetors and introduced high-pressure fuel lines, injectors and sensors. Technicians needed fuel pressure gauges, quick-connect release tools and electronic test equipment. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions when using this equipment.
Why were engine hoists common in older shops?
Short answer: Engine replacement and rebuilding were common in older vehicles, so engine hoists were standard equipment.
Engine replacement and rebuilding were common in older vehicles, so engine hoists were standard equipment. Many shops used them to remove engines for overhaul.
Why did timing chain tools become necessary?
Short answer: Many modern engines use timing chains with tensioners and guides that require special tools for service.
Many modern engines use timing chains with tensioners and guides that require special tools for service. Locking tools help keep timing correct during replacement.
What were valve lapping tools used for?
Short answer: Valve lapping tools are sticks with suction cups used to spin valves against their seats with lapping compound.
Valve lapping tools are sticks with suction cups used to spin valves against their seats with lapping compound. They were common in older engine work to improve valve sealing.
How did valve seat cutters evolve?
Short answer: Valve seat cutters and grinding stones were used to restore valve seats.
Valve seat cutters and grinding stones were used to restore valve seats. Carbide cutters and modern seat machines improved accuracy and speed.
Why were valve guide reamers and knurlers used?
Short answer: Worn valve guides cause oil consumption and poor sealing.
Worn valve guides cause oil consumption and poor sealing. Shops used reamers, knurlers and replacement guides to restore guides in older engines.
How did connecting rod reconditioning equipment develop?
Short answer: Rod reconditioning machines hone big-end bores to restore roundness and size.
Rod reconditioning machines hone big-end bores to restore roundness and size. They became important in engine machine shops for rebuilding.
Why were crankshaft grinders important in engine rebuilding?
Short answer: Crankshaft grinders machine worn journals to undersize dimensions.
Crankshaft grinders machine worn journals to undersize dimensions. Engine rebuilders used them to restore crankshafts with undersized bearings. Technicians are trained to treat this work with caution.
How did head resurfacing equipment change?
Short answer: Cylinder heads were resurfaced on grinders and later on milling machines.
Cylinder heads were resurfaced on grinders and later on milling machines. Precision surfacing became important with aluminum heads and multi-layer steel gaskets. Shop safety rules apply whenever this equipment is used.
Why did multi-layer steel head gaskets change machining standards?
Short answer: Multi-layer steel gaskets require smoother surfaces than older composite gaskets.
Multi-layer steel gaskets require smoother surfaces than older composite gaskets. Their adoption led machine shops to improve surface finish practices.
How did magnafluxing become an engine inspection method?
Short answer: Magnetic particle inspection, often called magnafluxing, finds cracks in ferrous parts.
Magnetic particle inspection, often called magnafluxing, finds cracks in ferrous parts. Engine machine shops adopted it to inspect blocks, heads and crankshafts.
Why did pressure testing cylinder heads become common?
Short answer: Cracked heads can leak coolant into cylinders or oil.
Cracked heads can leak coolant into cylinders or oil. Pressure testing heads became common in machine shops to find cracks before rebuilding.
How did fuel injector cleaning equipment develop?
Short answer: As fuel injection spread, deposits could clog injectors.
As fuel injection spread, deposits could clog injectors. Injector cleaning and flow testing equipment developed to restore and test injectors.
General guidance only. Follow the vehicle and tool manufacturer's procedures, and confirm vehicle coverage on the tool maker's list before buying.