Crude alignments

 Found some scrap metal, a welder, and some paint.

Now I do alignments on the drive way.  No more paying the man

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Off the chain

Made in England, it's special

Over the years i've accumulated quite a few tools.  From old wooden handled screw drivers to just odd specialty tools which have stumped me on it's purpose.  Like this tool above, do you know it's purpose.  It's been sitting in my tool box for years and I never new what I did.  That is until recentl,y this tool geek showed me a chain breaker that he uses for rebuilding bike chains.  WTH?? it's like a light bulb went off.  All these years (over 15) this tool has been sitting in the tool box and I finally know it does. 

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Handi tool

 The trusty handi cut by craftsman tools.  They cut just about everything with easy.  But it's one of the best tools i found for cutting silicon hoses in to nice neat lengths.  No more janky cuts from using that silly razor blade.

It looks JDM fresh with it's JDM hose clamps, fo' sho'.  But make sure you never ever let your, girlfriend, wife, mistress, etc. ever know you have this thing.  This may have dreadful results if you ever make her angry.

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Circuit Tester

At the time, this was one of my favorite pieces of equipment.  I actually constructed this circuit tester in the 90's, probably cost me $10 in materials.  What made this unique was that it will distinguish a + or - circuit.  When most test lights will just turn on the built in bulb.  As far as I can remember I don't think there was anything equivalent.  Now a days the power probe has taken over all electrical duties and this sits in the tool box.

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Is it a sin?

Modifying ones tools. I'm usually adamant about purchasing the tools to get the job done right. Back when I was turning a wrench for a living, I always took notice of the more experienced mechanics with their modified tools. These were modified Snap-On and Mac tools. Back then, I never could bring myself to do such heinous acts. Since I was still paying for mine. And for those who don't know, those tools are definitely not cheap.

Since I was trying to finish my project. I searched around for something that may get the job done without success. So I did the unthinkable. I took a spare wrench I had laying around, and did a bit of grinding.

Here's the modified (left) and unmodified tool.

Here's modified tool fitting in some tight areas.

Just like my car parts, I'm accumulating duplicate spares of tools without realizing it. I'll have to take inventory cause I can't seem to remember what I have anymore.

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AE86 Tech #86-18: Stay still Flywheel

There's a number of different ways to hold the flywheel while removing or torquing down the bolts. Here's 2 different methods that can be use:

The first one is probably the easiest to do and also the cheapest. If you're doing all the work yourself you should have the tools required.


All that is required is a transmission bolt and socket, usually a 15mm or 16mm works best. Setup like shown above. Currently it is setup for removing the bolts, to tighten just put the socket on the other side of the bolt. So simple and requires nothing. Nothing wrong with the f word freebie.


The 2nd will require some parts. If you have an old flex plate, cut it up and drill a hole like so.

Not a 4AG, but just to give you an idea on how it goes on.

Then install on the engine, make sure the teeth are in contact with each other, it doesn't have to be a tight fit. Once it begins to turn, it will tighten up and hold the flywheel in place.

Choose your weapon and have at it.

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Cheap bender redo

Decided to redo the bender I created last year.


Saw this on a web search and decided I can make one too. I was kinda bored lately, so it was something to try.

I started doing sketches on how I was going to approach the project. Then gathered a bunch of spare metal laying around the garage I slowly pieced together this newest creation.

Not too bad so far.

Adding some bracing for some possible heavy duty action. The welds look pretty.


Nice clean bend. Not bad for something that cost next to nothing.


Maybe next time i'll try and build a bigger one. Maybe like this one.

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Making more tools

When I first installed a limited slip into my car, it required special tool which I didn't want to buy. There are times when you don't wanna cough cash for a tool you think you'll only use once or twice. Though I could have gone and used needle nose pliers. But I love my Snap On tools that much not to use them in that manner.


Hence I made this tool. To set back lash on the adjusting rings. Which is a requirement for Toyota differentials.


I even tried using it to tighten down the crush sleeve. And if you know the torque required for that, then you know it's futile. I ended up making another bar that's as long as a breaker bar to handle that job.

Even after a few years and a bunch more diffs later I still use it. Now it's like why bother getting the special tool when this one works so well.

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More tool especial

If you got a big american v8 with a big american air cleaner then you'll probably using or will be needing these. I haven't even used these yet, since the old carb import air cleaners were still accessible with a simple flat head. May i'll need to buy one. A big american sedan that is.

Image via Wikipedia

Like a 1963 Lincoln Continental one of my favorites.

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Old School tool

Dunno if i'll ever use it. I don't come across cars with external regs. Don't even know if the guy I got it from way back then even used cause it looks so new. It measures the temperature of an alternator regulator. This was when cars had their regulators mounted outside. But i'm sure you guys already knew that.


The original Snap-On box with label, I wonder how old this piece of equipment is? Could'nt find much information on the net.

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AE86 Tech #86-13: The cheap bender

Image via Wikipedia

Since it's nearing Halloween and being this is the 13th tech, means absolutely nothing. Except for another cheap way of doing stuff. This time I explore bending brakes. Since I can't afford one I made a cheap one. With a couple pieces of metal and a hydraulic press.


Welding a couple pieces of metal I came up with this. Not too bad.


And this is how it works.

Sure i could probably get the same results with a vise and a good size hammer. But we're really after the cosmetics. You know me, it's gotta look good for sho'!


Anyways I don't think you can make this on the vise.


Another thing that this thing is good for is holding pipe on the the drill press. Too bad I don't have a drill press to utilize this amazing piece.

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AE86 Tech #86-12: Taps/Chasers

Image via Wikipedia

It's not a tool used very often but it's nice to have. Kinda like insurance, you'll have the confidence you know your covered. There will be times that you'll run into a boogered up thread or need to clean out rust and junk in your threads. There will also be times that you'll be at the track and your set is at work. Because you didn't think you'll be running into that situation.


Here's a trick I learned a while back. It's not a 100%, but it might just save the day.

Take a file and a bolt with the correct thread needed for the job.


File perpendicular to the threads like so.


If you've got a dremel or air tool with a cut off wheel, your job has gotten just a little bit easier.

Now wasn't that easy? Do about 2-4 grooves. But don't be doing this on all your bolts and calling it your tap kit. It's always better to get the right tools for the job. Don't cut steak with a butter knife.


As ghetto as this may seem, even the next door neighbor mechanic event used it successfully. I should charge him a consultation fee.

Since those days i've already own a tap and die kit. But I actually still use these to chase out holes with dirt and other garabage in them. It actually works quite nicely. No sense in wasting a tap for just clean up.

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