tools for engine mods
 

just wondering what tools some of you use to mod engines?

I'm not talking about the ones that you need a shop or a second garage to have, just the ones the average guy can afford..

a good set of needle files maybe?
also the first thing I want is some kind of stand with a big a$$ magnifying glass because my eyes suck..

You need to have a dremel tool and carbide cutting bits.


Mark

interesting... I've heard people specifically say not to use a dremel..

If you have a steady hand ..

thanks.. a dremel is what I used for my first engine mod.. my hand is steady enough but my eyes didn't want to stay focused, thus the need for the mag glass....
I just modified the ports, not into messing with the timing yet..

I started out just modifying the ports but now I'm getting into the timing.

Mark

I'm sure I will as well, but first I want to do a couple more port mods with pos results along with acquiring a bit more knowledge..

I don't think that carbide bits are enough. I had a engine done and the tear drop on the crank was so smooth and shinny that I could see myself. Some of these guys really have a gift.

Carbide bits work very well. All my tear drops are smooth with out any polishing.

I did a tear drop with a grinding bit , then a agressive polish tip and media. Came out mirror. I then took a few q-tip at low speed and polished the interior of the crank. Just be sure to wear protective eye wear , stuff can go a shooting.

If it's the right kind of carbide bit it comes out really shiny and smooth.

Where does one get these bits?

somthing like these maybe?

http://www.mytoolstore.com/dremel/18slcon.html

Those are grinding stones not cutting bits.These are tungsten carbide cutters made by Dremel..


Mark

thanks guys!

what kind of epoxy to use?
 

hiya guys!
what kind of epoxy do i use to lighten the crankshaft?
i see that its orange in color and on certain engines it actually feels a little soft.
is it RTV silicon or epoxy?
and if so, which one exactly?
thanks gor help!
merry christmas and happy holidays!
-alexander

Hmmmm...I always thought the silicone was to smoothen the gasflow through the crankshaft.

But I can be wrong: never modded an engine.

I think the front of the crank gets machined to lighten it and the epoxy is used as a filler...

Mark

Mark gets a dog biscit as he is right! ;)

yes... but what KIND of epoxy?
 

hiya folks,
ok, we now know its for lightening the crank, what KIND of Epoxy or silicon is used for the crank lightening?
does anyone know?
-alexander

if you are modifying the crank, none of the carbide metal bits are strong enough, or sharp enough to modify a crank. you need to use a stone bit. (i use the green stone bits made by dremel. these are the hardest stone bits available. you need to use this.

ALSO ALWAYS USE PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR!! IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, GO BUY SOME. NEVER DREMEL WITHOUT IT!

for eye wearl i use the full face masks, these are better, because when you use a wire brush to eventually polish the crank parts you moded the steel brush peices tend to fling of.

ALSO, USE AUTOSOL, OR ANY METAL POLISH FROM THE CAR SECTION TO POLISH THE CRANK AND BRASS SECTION OF THE SLEVE.

Your answer......NONE. Because you cant add something and expect it to make it lightweight.

Its the GRINDING that makes it lightweight. The epoxy is for making the air flow smoother as everyone answered.

erm.....
 

hiya Artificial-I and others!
thats not what i meant, i am not thick.
my query is:
does anyone know WHAT epoxy or silicon( specifically; i.e. JB weld or dow corning's RTV silicone or what?) is used to smooth the airflow in a drilled/ground out crankshaft?
i do understand that the epoxy or silicon is used to smooth the air flow after the shaft lightening process. i just wanna know what is being used.
thanks to all!
-alexander

I think that I saw grinder post a while ago that you could use red rtv silicone.

Go back about 2 pages on the Munan Mod engine thread. He said that he uses Permatex high temp red RTV silicone.

thanks!
 

hiya Doc!
thanks for the info!
i'll go try it out soon.
happy new year!
-alexander