Homemade Tools or Cheap Tricks

Lets here about your homemade tools or cheap tricks you used in the past.


Quick oil funnel ...Cut the bottle in half and use the top half as a funnel.


Oil Filter Wrench ...Loop a belt (or rope) around the filter and pull the tail.


Clean up your wires ...Use hand cleaner to clean wiring and harness.


Install a thermostat ...Loop a rubber band through the housing and around the 'stat and back through the neck. Use a pencil to hold things in place.

 

those are some good tips. i know i have some just cant rember what they are. ill brain storm and try to rember. im at the point where im forgeting more than im learning now.

 

The rubber band one is new to me.

 

Made me chuckle seeing the pics. They remind me of price is right. When they advertise something and it has a product that goes with it in the background. That technician sleeve/cuff is priceless too

 

This is a GREAT idea. I'll use it next time!

 

I have been using the thermostat and funnel one for years. The cut off oil bottle fits nicely in the valve cover on my 7.3.

 

I tried that but when I cut the top off the bottle the oil rushed out and got over the place.

J/K I have done that before, I just never think about it when I get ready to spill oil all over the valve cover of whatever vehicle I'm changing or adding oil to. Those darn filler holes are hard to hit from 8" away.

 

a home made tool that has helped me in the past is when i dont have a tap to clean threads i will take a bolt and use a cut off wheel and cut a notch or two length wise in the threads. now it will clean the threads.

 

For cleaning parts, I use degreaser and a no longer orally used toothbrush. I've tried a number of different kinds of brushes in the past but tooth brushes just do the job better.

 

Here's the cheapest, When trying to start a bolt you cant reach and have to use a socket. Double or triple ( depends on quality or how worn the socket) a paper towel and lay over the top of the socket, Now insert the bolt or nut pushing the paper between the socket and nut, bolt. Whala you now have a cheap magnetic socket. You will have to wiggle the socket to get it off but a least the bolt, nut is started. Works on some Phillips head screws too.

 

LOL, i've done that too. Why can't I think of the tricks i've done...

 

if you need an extra long funnel and have some trash around try using:
1. 20 oz plastic pop bottle with the end cut off
2. part of a plastic grocery bag
3. small peice of garden hose about 1.5 ft long

use the plastic bag as a type of seal between the hose and bottle. wrap the bag around one end of the hose, then firmly press it into the 20 oz bottle and there you go! instant transmission funnel (dont ask me how i know this ) but i can post some pics if interested

 

I have another, Have you ever tried to remove a pilot bearing with grease? I know they make a puller i have one. But instead of grease try loaf bread, Just keep packing and it will come out. There will be no mess to clean up and to me it works better than grease.

 

Use that at work almost every day. I use my time tickets out of my shirt pocket. All my tickets look like a mouse attacked them.

 

Piston stop...If you have to crack a damper hold down bolt loose and dont have an impact wrench or cant get to the trans to lock up the fly wheel...Put clothes line in one of the cylender bores...pack it in and then turn the engine by hand till it locks up...You can now crack the damper bolt loose with a breaker bar...just be sure to leave a lead of the line hanging out the spark plug hole so you can pull it out later.