Homemade Tools or Cheap Tricks

When installing the electric Taurus fan I bought, I noticed it was VERY tight and came very close to my engine. Too close in fact for my satisfaction. So I removed the radiator and whacked the radiator mounting tabs with a rubber mallet about a half inch or so flatter, then reinstalled the radiator and fan. Clearance problem solved with room to spare. Quick, simple and effective.

 

Nothing like using a BFH in solving a problem !!! :16suspect It's a great way to relieve stress too !!

 

Pneumatic siphon pump

I doubt I'm the first person to do this, maybe I just stumbled on an old trick that everybody else already knew, but I had this idea last night, and it works so nicely, I had to share...

I was replacing my radiator, and the drain petcock is either not present or completely impossible to see. In the past whenever I've had to drain it for removal or for changing hoses, water pump, etc. I've kept a 4' length of heater hose around to siphon it out. (I should just buy a siphon pump, yes, but I never think about needing one until I'm already in the middle of something.)

This time I decided, even though antifreeze is quite scrumptious, I didn't want to drink any, so a light went off in my head and I did what you see here in the pictures.

I poked an air duster into the hose about 2/3 down the length of it. Put the end where the air comes out into an empty jug on the floor, put the other end into the radiator, and hit the button. It creates strong suction. You can hear the liquid coming up the hose, pitch gets higher, and if you let go of the trigger just before the water hits, you won't blast an aerated cloud of glycol in your face, and you will have started a siphon without making a mess, or even having to lay down under the car!

 

thats pretty cool! i just use a big shop vac to suck the liquid out of the block (you can almost get it dry) then dump the bucket at the recycle station when i can find one...

 

If you install petcocks in the block that have the little sleeve on them you can put a hose on the petcock and open it. drain it into an old antifreeze jug and you can salvage the used antifreeze if it isn't more than a year old. If it is a year or more old then you can use the jug to recycle it at your local auto parts store.

 

Nice ideas and nice tips for home made tools and cheap home made tools...

 

i know the head bolt turned guide pin trick has been mentioned but get a set for your intake, no slipping gaskets no uneven landings no sliding intakes, just screw in the studs and drop on the intake. and it holds your gaskets in place real nice. i went down to ace and bought 4 of every size bolt in 2 and 4 inch lengths. cut the heads off and now have a full set of guide pins. great for headers too

 

Hi
Really interested in your post ...The tips you have given are really appreciable ...i would like to know few more from you ...Thanks for the post ..

 

a 13mm closed end wrench works just as well...

 

you can make a thread chaser out of a bolt and cut off wheel. if you have some buggered up threads and dont have a tap you can take a bolt that fits the hole and use a cut off wheel to put a couple of cuts accross the first few threads. this will create a cuting edge on the bolt that will clean the threads.

 

Good to know!

 

Yep, I'm bringing this thread back.

As I am installing power regulators today, I was reminded of a handy tool I made for pulling the window rivets. The two sizes are required due to the shape of the access holes, and distance from edge of glass to the rivet.

Chinese C clamps, a short length of 1/2" tube, and 1/4" rod. Easy, and quick.

 

You have a very sick mind......I like it....

 

thanks for bringing this old thread back to life, it was a fun read.