Special tools

[doowopper]

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For handling wheels I use a long handled shovel. Lots of leverage with the handle, enough clearance to push down and a little shove and the wheel is on.

[72SB]

I have many "use once but worth every penny" tools. A valve spring, Crane, that was $100 20 years ago and now extinct but worth every penny. I have used it several times for swapping springs with heads on engine and engine installed.

Few homemade ones to...like this spark plug socket mod for getting plug in/out of that one cyl the header makes difficult. It slides on plug sideways and a open wrench to turn the cut down head to loosen, then just remove plug by hand

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by cj847

As I am getting older, weaker, and hopefully wiser, I find myself looking for tips, tricks, and tools to make the job easier. The purpose of this thread is for a log of innovative, homemade or store-bought tools to save my back. To start I am looking for an easy way to put wheels on my truck. I struggle to lift a wheel/tire combo up 2" while lining up the lugs. I've used levers, pipes etc to get by. But, I think someone out there is smarter than me and has an easy way. Please post up anything you have for this problem as well as other helpful tools. If this is duplicating a prior thread please post a link. Thanks.

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

I got this years ago, works great on all sizes of tire & wheel combos. It was real handy when I put the 19.5s on my K/30. The outside drive tire & wheels weigh 120 pounds each and the inside duals we're even heavier. I could lift the tire with one hand and easily turn it to match up lugs with the other hand. I don't use it often but I wouldn't be without, it's a back saver!

exactly! pickle fork like BLAZERMAN posted is the only way to fly..

side rollers make lug alignment a piece of cake, especially timing duals..

safest, low effort option and they're cheap, roughly $50 - good luck!

several versions of this type of wheel dolly but here's one example..

[LockDoc]

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I have never tried this but it looks like it should work....

Ball joint and spindle spreading much easier


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624464

LockDoc

[yuccales]

Handee Clamp. Used it a couple of times. No cussing needed.

[truckster]

I needed a holding tool for the balancer on my daughter's Subaru. I was going to weld one up (they list for over $50 on Amazon, and who's got time to wait...) but then I got smart. I grabbed a piece of 1" square tube off my metal pile and drilled two 3/8" holes in it and ran 2" bolts through the holes. It worked like a charm. I threw it aside in case I ever need it again.

[LS short box]

LS engine tools. Balancer removal and install tool. Valve spring removal tool. Timing cover alignment tool. Oil pump alignment tool. Push rod length checker.

[cj847]

Following up, I saw this on TV this morning. Sema new tool award winner. But, a little expensive for me.


https://www.liftwithtrac.com/pages/t...mance-features

https://www.liftwithtrac.com/products/trac-tire-jack