Recent content by Rick Finsta

To expound on what FL&WVMIKE wrote, the way most people use torque plates is actually not really the "right" way, but gets you most of the way there and is certainly better than nothing. The correct procedure to get "perfect" cylindricity is to torque the head on with the gasket and fasteners...

Wow, small world. I am a member here from when my wife inherited her father's Model A and just happened upon this post while reviewing market opportunities (I just bought CCA Racing Products in January). I hope the OP has tracked down someone to get him sorted since this was first posted, but...

I set the steering column before setting the timing, so that's squared away. Maybe this build just likes a bit more advance. It doesn't want to die at full retard at idle anymore, and it seems to like the mid range of the timing a bit more, so I'm thinking the manifold was loose. I'll take a...

Tech question: what is the theory behind the notion that thinner walls cause overheating, and is this overheating of the oil or just a higher observed water/coolant temperature? Just curious.

Tightened up the manifold and carb base and it seemed to smooth her out; I also had to tune my idle back down as well as it seems to be giving me much better signal and more fuel pull. Drove her all day Saturday with no hiccups (other than slightly increased fuel consumption due to the higher...

Engine dyno cells use the high temp flexible exhaust line, but for use at home from an exhaust pipe you'll be fine with clothes dryer exhaust tubing. You should get a decent vacuum in the line if it is at all breezy outside, but check and make sure it's not positive pressure before running the car.

I was going to run a compression check; I can do that next. I'm not expecting this to run like my 500hp Olds engine or my 2.0L Honda, but when I say it is bogging, I mean it feels like there is something wrong with the ignition or fuel curves where it is losing power in a certain range, and not...

Gentlemen- I've just started taking care of a 1930 A coupe, which is mostly stock. The engine loves first and second gears, and then lugs down a lot from about 25mph (after 2-3 shift, obviously) until about 35mph, where is smooths out and pulls strongly to about 45mph, where is lugs down again...

Propylene glycol is non-toxic; old style antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which is generally the culprit in pet poisonings. Also, if you have chipmunk issues in your garage, take a bucket and a ramp, and just float some bird seed on a few gallons of water, and you'll get tons of the little...