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: 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 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 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 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 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 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 venture 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 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: 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 thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.

Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.

Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.

Abstract: A thin-walled valve guide insert for lining and relining a valve guide of an internal combustion engine includes opposing ends each having a tapered insertion section thereon. The tapered insertion section defines a reduced outer diameter to facilitate installing the insert into a valve guide bore have a nonchamfered opening, and further defines a reduced inner diameter so that the insert has a substantially continuous wall thickness throughout its length and thus maintains the structural integrity of the insert from end to end. In the preferred embodiment, the valve guide insert is made of a phosphor bronze material of about 0.018 inch thickness or less, and includes a lengthwise slit therein. The insert is sprung open longitudinally along the slit and must be radially compressed so that the insert defines a sufficiently small outer diameter so that it can be axially installed in a press-fit condition into the valve guide bore of the engine.