Recent content by lbrac

From LOCKTITE website (https://datasheets.tdx.henkel.com/LOCTITE-262-en_GL.pdf) for red 262 threadlocker used on blind holes: "Apply several drops of liquid threadlocker down the sides of the blind hole filling the lower third. Apply several drops to the bolt. If cure speed is too slow due to...

Ethanol has a lower heating value of approximately 76,330 Btu per gallon, while gasoline has a lower heating value ranging from 112,114 to 116,090 Btu per gallon. U.S. Department of Energy So, gasoline w/ 10% ethanol has 3–3.4 % less BTUs than straight gasoline. Ethanol's ability to contain...

Think how much it would cost to have the dealer do the work, then the cost of the parts you picked up will seem like a bargain.

This would be hard to do with such a small diameter bolt, but using a punch on the outside edge of the broken bolt and tapping with a hammer to reverse the bolt out sometimes works, especially when the bolt isn't stuck in the threads by corrosion (or blue Loctite).

I've found that a 3/4" PVC pipe cap fits spouts that have a smooth outlet (no threads) snugly enough to seal the can. The cap keeps moisture from entering the can, which is more important when using gas/ethanol, and it obviously keeps out dirt, etc. It also prevents evaporation of the fuel.

I was told that when charging a battery the electrolyte should not exceed 130 degrees F to prevent damage to the battery. Many years ago specific gravity testers were used to determine the charge in a battery, and they contained a thermometer inside the tester to monitor the electrolyte...

From the internet: "For engine oil filtration, particles larger than 20 microns are considered the most damaging, while particles smaller than 5 microns are less likely to cause significant wear. Generally, maintaining a filtration system that captures particles in the range of 5 to 20 microns...

If a little is good, then more is better. It's the American way. Applies to many things, like sealant, grease, oil level, premixing oil and gas, sharpening a mower blade, tire pressure, tightening a bolt, etc. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

I've had a ring trapped by carbon in the piston groove cause the piston/cylinder to score when combustion gases pass into the lower end of the engine. Carbon can clog the spark arrestor screen and plug the exhaust. The fuel cap vent can not vent the tank when the fuel is drawn from it, causing a...

I took auto mechanics out of high school over 55 years ago. We had an Autolite rep come in for a day or two to discuss their products, and mechanics in general. He had worked in the industry for many years and had a lot of stories to tell. He also told us they contracted for their products from...

I usually try to use the excuse that my head jumped time. Most people don't know what that means anyway, and if they do, they can usually empathize.

If the hose is too short or the wall thickness is too thin, or both, it would be more prone to kinking. It is exposed to vacuum/pressure as the piston cycles up/down, causing the crankcase/cylinder volume to fluctuate.

If the exhaust pipe intake in the out building isn't near the exhaust discharge of the generator, it might help to reroute it to catch the exhaust as it leaves the gen's exhaust discharge point. An inline fan mounted as far away from the exhaust pipe intake (to reduce the temperature of the...

It's been years since I used the type of spark plug cap (Sparky, if I recall correctly) in your picture on my dirt bikes. As I recall, I lubed the wire insulation with motor oil and stuck in into the small end of the cap until it bottomed at the 90 deg. turn. I then used needle nose pliers to...

I worked as an industrial maintenance manager for years. When equipment failure caused production stoppage (most often from operator error), production personnel wanted to know how long to get it operational. I would estimate how long I thought it should take and then tell them double that time...