Abstract: The present jack apparatus is particularly adapted for heavy duty lifting. The jack apparatus includes a base; a pair of screw jacks; a yoke supported by the screw jacks; a lifting tube supported on the yoke; a shaft coupler coupling the screw jacks; a power unit driving one of the screw jacks and through the shaft coupler also driving the other screw jack; and a housing covering the screw jacks and other components. The pair of screw jacks each have threaded lifting shafts designed to eliminate risk of unexpected lowering of the jack's lifting tube even if power is lost. A jack system is described including two or more of the jack apparatus controlled by a single control for simultaneous operation.

Abstract: A valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide bore in an internal combustion engine includes a one-piece, thin-walled, cylindrically-shaped metallic tube made from reformable bearing material having first and second ends and an intermediate portion. An inwardly tapered portion is disposed at the first end, wherein an end diameter of the inwardly tapered portion is less than an outer diameter of a valve guide bore, and wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section is greater than an inner diameter of a valve guide bore. A longitudinal slit is included having a stepped portion along a length of the longitudinal slit. An interference portion is disposed proximate the second end, wherein the interference portion is configured to substantially secure the valve guide insert within a valve guide bore.

Abstract: A torque measurement tool measures the rolling torque of a bearing. The tool includes a bar weldment including a scale bar and a centered socket, and further includes a pair of slides slidably engaging the scale bar. Each slide has a thumb screw lock to fix a selected location and a rod adapted to engage the rotatable portion of the preloaded bearing (or engage a component attached thereto). A related method includes adjusting the slides to engage rods of the torque measurement tool with a rotatable bearing portion in a balanced condition, and using a torque wrench to obtain a reading of the torque required to move the rotatable bearing portion.

Abstract: A tool for resurfacing a counterbore of a cylinder bore in an engine block includes a holder fixedly attached to the engine block using existing threaded holes, and a cutter rotatably supported by the holder and axially movable while being rotated. The cutter is positioned to cut and resurface a counterbore in the top of the cylinder bore. A plurality of springs bias the cutter head axially toward the engine block while rotating the cutter, thus providing a uniform force while cutting and resurfacing the counterbore. A ratchet wrench matably engages the upper end of the shaft to rotate the cutter, with the ratchet wrench extending in a single lateral direction from the shaft. A related method is also discussed.

Abstract: A runout gauge includes a stand (such as a tripod), and a gauge bar pivotally mounted on the stand. The gauge bar includes a wheel on its upper end positioned above the pivot for rollingly engaging an outer surface of a vehicle tire, and further includes a pointer located a greater second distance below the pivot. By this arrangement, movement of the wheel on the tire due to runout causes the pointer to move along an amplified path having a length greater than the movement of the wheel, thus making it easier to read. The illustrated stand includes indicia for measuring movement of the pointer, and also includes gauge slides on a frame component that abut the pointer in a manner showing an extent of the pointer's movement, which relates to the runout on the tire.

Abstract: A trimmer is provided for trimming a newly-installed sleeve liner after the liner is positioned in a cylinder bore of a combustion engine component. The trimmer includes a trimming cutter adapted to shave off a protruding end of the newly-installed sleeve liner, and a tool holder shaped to stably engage the combustion engine component. The tool holder operably supports the trimming tool for rotation collinearly with a centerline of the cylinder bore and for limited longitudinal movement when the tool holder is attached to the combustion engine component. A tie-down device engages the tool holder and secures the trimmer to the engine component. A venturi suction arrangement is connectable to shop compressed air to remove and includes a suction input adjacent the cutter for collecting all chips and debris from the trimming operation.

Abstract: A trimmer is provided for trimming a newly-installed sleeve liner after the liner is positioned in a cylinder bore of a combustion engine component. The trimmer includes a trimming cutter adapted to shave off a protruding end of the newly-installed sleeve liner, and a tool holder shaped to stably engage the combustion engine component. The tool holder operably supports the trimming tool for rotation collinearly with a centerline of the cylinder bore and for limited longitudinal movement when the tool holder is attached to the combustion engine component. A tie-down device engages the tool holder and secures the trimmer to the engine component. A venturi suction arrangement is connectable to shop compressed air to remove and includes a suction input adjacent the cutter for collecting all chips and debris from the trimming operation.

Abstract: A valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide bore in an internal combustion engine, where the internal combustion engine includes a valve with a valve stem, and the valve guide bore is configured to support the valve stem for reciprocal motion. The valve guide insert includes a thin-walled, cylindrically shaped, metallic tube made from reformable bearing material suitable for slidably supporting a valve stem in a combustion engine, wherein the tube has a temporary retainer section and a long section. The retainer section defined a first outer diameter, and the long section defines a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter, whereby the tube is configured to be dropped into a valve guide bore having a bore diameter less than the first outer diameter but greater than the second outer diameter. The valve guide insert may have a wall thickness of 0.008 inches or less.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating smoke includes a closed chamber having a top cover, and a metal air inlet tube, a metal air outlet tube and a metal suction tube extending through the cover. An electric coiled-wire heating element is positioned transversely in the chamber and connected electrically at each end to the metal air inlet tube and the metal suction tube. A spray dispenser is attached to the top cover and positioned over the heating element and is operably connected to a supply of smoke-producing fluid, the dispenser being configured to spread and drop controlled quantities of the smoke-producing fluid onto the heating element. Separate controls are provided for controlling flow of the fluid onto the heating element for controlling smoke production, and for controlling flow of air for carrying smoke through a delivery line for use.

Abstract: A broach tool is provided for use in repairing a camshaft support bearing for operably supporting a camshaft in an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a cylinder head with bearing support towers that operably support journals on the camshaft at multiple aligned bearing locations. A broaching tool is provided that is adapted to be linearly pulled through the aligned bearing locations to reform the bearing support structures. Methods of repair include enlarging at least one camshaft support bearing to an oversized condition, such as by using the broach, optionally repairing the oversized camshaft support bearing by filling voids and galled areas with a thermal setting polymer, as needed, and optionally positioning a bearing insert on the camshaft, and positioning the camshaft including the bearing insert in the camshaft support bearing with the camshaft being rotatably supported in the bearing insert and the bearing insert being secured to the oversized camshaft support bearing.

Abstract: A cam shaft bearing insert is provided for use in a cam shaft support bearing for operably supporting a cam shaft in an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a cylinder head with bearing support towers that operably support journals on the cam shaft at multiple aligned bearing locations. Each bearing support tower has an oil port for passing oil to the associated journal. The bearing insert further has a thin-walled cylindrical sleeve formed from thin flat stock into a cylindrical tubular shape that is adapted to fit into one of the bearing support structures and form a bearing surface suitable for supporting the cam shaft. The sleeve has an outer surface with an outwardly deformed area configured to non-rotatably engage the one bearing support structure and has an aperture therein so that, when the aperture is aligned with the oil port of the one bearing support structure, oil can pass from the oil port to the associated bearing location.

Abstract: An automatic boring device is provided that comprises a tool housing having attached to it two opposing handles with switches mounted thereon for selective engagement of pneumatic controls that activate a clamping device, rotation of a chuck of a pneumatic drill, and downward movement of the drill. The pneumatic drill is removable and the depth of the downward boring stroke is adjustable.

Abstract: A tool is provided to remove a snap ring from a shaft of a machine such as a small gas or electric motor. The tool includes two pins that engage the ends of the snap ring and a mechanism for advancing the pins to move the snap ring around the shaft and ultimately off the shaft.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for snapping a coupler of a rearview mirror assembly onto a base mounted to a vehicle. The tool includes a handle, a shaft attached to and extending outward from the handle, and a structural configuration formed on an end of the shaft opposite the handle for simultaneously engaging both the coupler of the rearview mirror assembly and the base when the coupler is initially partially engaged with the base, and for moving the coupler relative to the base in response to a levering force applied to the handle until the coupler of the rearview mirror assembly is slid into full engagement with the base. To move the coupler in this manner, the tool directly applies a levering force to an interior surface of a rear wall of the coupler in response to a directional force applied to the handle.

Abstract: A finish reamer adapted to finish ream bronze-based valve guides and valve inserts is disclosed. The reamer includes a body section having a plurality of spiral flutes formed therein. The flutes define a plurality of cutting blades. Each cutting blade has an axially extending radial relief formed therein, and a land with a margin having a non-uniform width that is smaller near its leading end and larger near its trailing end.

Abstract: A bowl cutter for enlarging cylinder head valve bowls and the like that includes at least one cutting blade with first and second cutting edges. The bowl cutter further includes a body with at least one cutter mount including a clamp that securely holds the cutting blade at a preselected angular position. The cutting blade is pivotably connected to the body for angular adjustment of the cutting blade, and the clamp securely holds the cutting blade at a selected angular position wherein the first cutting edge is positioned to remove material from the base portion of an associated valve bowl, and the second cutting edge is positioned to remove material from a sidewall portion of an associated valve bowl.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detector of the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer for detecting ultrasonic energy and generating an electrical signal having an amplitude corresponding to the detected level of the received ultrasonic energy, and a light source supported in proximity to the ultrasonic transducer for illuminating an area from which the ultrasonic transducer may detect ultrasonic energy. Preferably, the light source is a directional light source positioned such that an optical axis of a light beam emitted from the light source intersects a directional axis of the ultrasonic transducer at a predetermined distance from the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic detector of the present invention also preferably includes an indicator light coupled to the ultrasonic transducer for receiving the electrical signal output from the transducer and for indicating the relative amplitude of ultrasonic energy received by the transducer.

Abstract: A universal shoe assembly is disclosed for a microfinishing machine having a base and a pair of jaw arms mounted to the base. The universal shoe assembly includes a shoe for applying grinding pressure to a surface of a workpiece, universal mounting means for mounting the shoe to one of the jaw arms of the microfinishing machine, and securing means for releasably securing the mounting means to the jaw arm of the microfinishing machine.

Abstract: A tool for tapping a container and removing fluid from the container includes a modified bit having a tip configured to bore a hole through a wall of the container, such as an oil filter casing or a tank wall, and a threaded frustoconically-shaped shank configured to engage the wall material defining the hole and to draw the tool into sealing engagement with the wall. A valve assembly is attached to the tip remote end of the modified bit. The valve assembly includes a hex-shaped surface for engaging a drill socket so that the tool can be rotated as it is pressed against the wall. A passageway extends through the shank for communicating fluid from the container, and a valve is located in the valve assembly in communication with the passageway to control fluid flow through the passageway. A cap fits over the valve assembly at the tip remote end of the tool during non-use and when the tool is being used to bore through the wall to protect the tool.

Abstract: A portable emissions test apparatus for testing for vapor emitting leaks in a fuel holding system in a vehicle includes a pressurizing system and a pressure-monitoring system. The pressurizing system includes a first pressure regulator configured for connection to a source of pressurized gas for regulating a maximum first pressure in the apparatus downstream of the first pressure regulator, and a first surge protector connected to the first pressure regulator for controlling first surges from the first pressure regulator. The pressurizing system further includes an adjustable second pressure regulator operably connected to the first surge protector for adjustably regulating a second pressure of pressurized gas for operating the apparatus, the second pressure regulator including an adjustment knob positioned in a readily accessible position on the apparatus so that the pressure downstream of the second pressure regulator can be adjusted for changes in ambient atmospheric pressure.