Just Yank It
Have you ever tried to remove a pilot bushing from a crankshaft with that grease method that doesn't really work? We tired of trying to make that work and found this cool Springer Tool (proudly made in Riverton, Wyoming) that is so simple it should have been created 50 years ago. Remove the bolt and insert the tool through the pilot bushing until the barbs snap in place. Thread in the bolt until it hits the back of the crank and then continue tightening the bolt until the bushing pops out. It's that simple. The tools come in medium and large for V-8s. We used PN 22002 ($22.00) for our small-block Chevy. There is one V-8 in which this tool won't work, however. Gen III/IV GM engines use a hollow center crank employing a thin pipe plug to seal. This tool will push that plug into the crank and then you will have to drop the pan to repair the mess. One other warning: Don't loan this tool to your buddy-you'll never get it back. You can order this slick time-saver at springertool.com. Buy one for your buddy 'cause he'll want his own. Tell 'em Car Craft sent you-it makes us look good.
 Mini-Ratchet Thumbwheel This...  Mini-Ratchet ThumbwheelThis is just a tool for tools' sake, but we like the little thumbwheel ratchet when we are up under a dashboard. You can get 'em in 1/4- or 3/8-inch drives. Get one at skhandtool.com. |  Cleco Fasteners These are...  Cleco Fasteners
These are often described as a third hand because they are designed to hold sheetmetal together while you weld. You've seen them holding together kit Cobras and maybe even parts of a ship. We've used them to hold fender patches along the cut line so we can lay down some tack welds. You can get Clecos and the installation pliers from Eastwood with kit PN 19074 for $32.99. |  Nutserts If you've heard...  Nutserts
If you've heard the term nutsert, you know you can use them to add a threaded hole to virtually any surface. The correct term is thread setter, and the tool works a lot like a POP rivet, only they are quite a bit larger and are threaded on one end. They're great for mounting windshield tabs to your stock car replica. Get them from Eastwood using PN 28182 for $119.99. |
 Imperial Tubing Benders Every...  Imperial Tubing Benders
Every time we see a professional builder bending tube, he is using a tool from Imperial. The truly sick bender sets cost nearly $1,000.00, but we routinely see them sold individually at swap meets and pawn shops. If you need them new, try imperialeastman.com. |  Small Bender If you are bending...  Small Bender
If you are bending 1/2-inch stainless, use an Imperial tool. If you are building some brake lines, you can use brake tubing forming pliers. They are small, so you can get them into tight places and they only cost about $30.00. You can also buy a complete brake line kit if you need fittings and a length of line. Try Eastwood for these parts. |  Removable K-Member We saw...  Removable K-Member
We saw this trick at Icon Performance in Hawthorne, California, but it was first used in the Chrysler factory. Using this stand, the engine, suspension, and transmission are preassembled on the K-member. Then the body is simply lowered over it on a lift and bolted in place. The stand makes headers and hard-to-reach bellhousing bolts a snap to install. |