Hardcore Hardware – Serious Tools for Serious Gearheads

Your thumbs will thank you once you install your pis- tons using Lock-In-Tool's spiral-loc installation and removal tools. This can alleviate all the pain that goes with installing those sharp little rod retainers. They offer one for wire locks, spiral locks and also a Lock Buster that removes them.

This is something that you won't know you'll love until you use it. LSM combined two tools with PN: TQ-100-3: Combination torque wrench and valve adjustment tool and for those that like to constantly check valve lash, or those that build a lot of engines, this tool is a must.

The pushrod length is almost always the last measure- ment taken when building a custom engine, and any engine builder will tell you that getting the correct pushrod length is critical to achieve proper valvetrain geometry. COMP Cams offers quite a few adjustable pushrods that will allow the builder to find the exact length needed before ordering.

It doesn't get much more hardcore than a digitally controlled welder, and the folks at Miller offer more than a couple high-end welders that are perfect for any serious gearhead. The Millermatic 211, for example, is a great MIG welder for the hobbyist, and can even handle heavy-duty tasks that previous models could not. It features a breakthrough control system that automatically sets your welder to the proper parameters. This “Auto-Set” function makes the 211 an all-in- one MIG, minus the guesswork you would have with older welders. Users simply set the wire diameter, set the material thickness and start welding, and the Millermatic 211 Auto-Set with MVP which allows it to operate on 120 or 230V and has the highest output in its class. It can weld from 24 ga - 3/8 in. (0.8 - 9.5 mm) mild steel in a single pass on 230 V.The second photo you see is of Miller's Diversion 180 TIG welder. This compact and portable welder also takes a lot of the guesswork out of welding, you just select the material type, set the thickness range, and start fabricating. A digital display on the 180 clearly shows exactly what your settings are and it uses an inverter-based AC/DC power source, which provides a more efficient and consistent welding arc, compared to older transformer based TIG machines. The 180 also is extremely portable, at only 50 lbs it can be taken anywhere. You can't do that with those heavy transformer machines!

Expert engine builders will tell you, the proper way to cinch down your connectiing rod caps is with a rod bolt stretch gauge. Torque wrenches can vary in cali- bration, but the stretch of the rod bolt will always be the same. With this method it takes a bit longer to assemble the shortblock, but for those that want ulti- mate precision, using this tool is the way to go.

Here's a tool that can come in handy when attaching panels, fabricating bracketry, or when you have a blind hole in sheetmetal that you can't tap into. This plier-style setting tool installs what are called rivet nuts and nut inserts and is a great tool to have, even for the at-home hot rodder. The special rivets feature threads in the center that allow you to thread a bolt into it.

Filing piston rings can be a tedious chore without one of these, it's a motorized ring filer from ABS Products in Brea, California. If you have ever used a manual grinder to file fit rings you know how nerve wracking it can be. When filing rings you want a flat and even ends, otherwise you could get excessive blow-by, or worse. With a motorized grinder it allows the user to situate each ring exactly the same, making sure each piston ring gap is filed exactly to what the user wants every time.

A connecting rod vise can save loads of frustration. Often times brand new rods and rods fresh from an engine take a lot of force to separate the rod caps from the rod itself. A rod vise is an aluminum tool that sits in a normal bench vise to securely hold your con rod without galling it.

LSM's valve spring pressure checker is a great tool for those who run big camshafts with tremendous valve spring pressures. With high rpm and high tension valve springs, racers have to constantly monitor their valve springs. With this tool, you can check the pressure with the rockers installed on the head, and with the heads on the engine—no need to remove the head.

A crankshaft socket is a must when building an engine, because it can be risky business without one. In the old days, many guys would just thread the crank bolt into the snout until it bottomed out, allowing you to turn over the engine. But the problem is, often times the bolt can get stuck and gall up the crank threads. The crank socket fits around the snout and the key, allowing you to use a standard half-inch drive ratchet to turn over the engine.

If you've ever used an old-school, metal band-type piston installa- tion tool you know what a pain they can be. Not only do you have to constantly keep the metal band tight at all times with, often times loosening, but we've sliced out hands open before on the ter- ribly sharp edge. If you're serious about building engines, an alu- minum fixed piston tool like these from ARP can make engine assem- bly a whole lot easier. They are available in all the popular sizes, and even some unpopular sizes too.

If you do a lot of custom wiring or make a lot of spark plug wires and you haven't used this tool, you are missing out. The Pro-Crimp features interchangeable jaws allowing for a variety of different style crimps with one heavy-duty tool. The Pro-Crimp features a hardened steel frame with comfortable molded hand grips. The slick ratchet action provides secure, factory quality crimps every time. The Tool is supplied with precision crimping/stripping jaws for MSD’s spark plug wire terminals.

Every garage and racecar shop should have a set of aluminum AN wrenches. If you have ever stripped a hose end with a steel adjustable wrench you know how frustrating that can be. The soft aluminum will not mar your hose ends and ProForm has them from - 4AN to -20AN.

The time it takes for engine assembly and disassembly is largely dictated by how organized you are. The more parts you have scattered all over your shop or garage, the longer it's going to take. These cool plastic valvetrain organizers from Jaz keep everything in order, making access to your parts quick and easy.