TECH TIPS
ROD KNOCK IN A CAN
No matter what anyone tells you, NEVER put an “engine flush” product in a sludged engine. You might as well call this stuff, “Rod-Knock in a Can.” After it loosens all the sludge, the oil filter is usually so badly overloaded that the bypass valve opens. This lets all that loose, abrasive glop flow into the engine bearings — which, naturally, makes them wear at the speed of light.
Short of pulling, dismantling, and boiling the engine block and head, the only safe way to clean a sludged motor is to change the oil more often and let the detergent in the oil do the cleaning at a slow — but steady — pace.
NOTHING TO LOSE BUT THE SQUEAL
The throw-out bearing on my Kaiser M715 has started to squeal when I step on the clutch. It doesn’t do it all the time, but the thought of having to pull everything apart to replace it is not very appealing. I know that some tractors and heavy equipment have throw-out bearings that can be greased. If I do have to pull everything apart, could I install one of these bearings?
If you are a good machinist, you
