Thread: Helpfull Things

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Occasionally, I have a need to hone a hole to a little bigger size or clean rust or gunk from the inside of a tube. Using a piece of rod 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter (even the shank of an old bolt with the head cut off), use a hacksaw to cut a groove down the middle of the rod about 3/4" to 7/8" long. I've even made a length of allthread work. Using one inch wide emery cloth that comes on a roll like machine shops use to polish crankshafts, slide the end into the slot in the rod and wind the cloth around until you have the diameter you need to do the honing, then tear off the remainder. Winding it clockwise as you are looking at the slot end of the rod will insure that when you spin it in your drill motor, it will not unwind. Presto, a variable diameter hone, depending on how much cloth you wind onto the rod. If you have a 1/4" drill motor, then use a rod 1/4" in diameter. If you have a 3/8", then use 1/4", 5/16" or 3/8"rod.

This is an old one that probably everyone knows, but it's all I have.

To make it easier to install a transmission onto either the block or a bellhousing, take two long bolts (about 6 inches long) of the correct thread size to screw into a couple of the bolt holes in the engine or bellhousing. Cut the heads off and round the cut off portion a little to facilitate getting the transmission started onto them.

Screw the long bolts into the block or bellhousing so the rounded ends are sticking out (put one bolt on either side of the engine), then start the transmission onto the bolts and use them as "ramps" to allow you to slide the transmission into place. Obviously, you want to use the same holes on the block that you use on the transmission so it slides correctly into place.

I have used this with both automatic transmissions and stick transmissions. It makes it a whole lot easier to get both types installed, especially stick transmissions where you are trying to get the input shaft through a throwout bearing, through a clutch plate, and into the pilot bearing. Saves a lot of lifting and cussing. I keep a few different thread sizes in my tool box just for this purpose.

I figured there might be one person in the civilized world who didn't know about this trick.

Don