Engine Specialty Tools

[Ed in Virginia]

K-D 1120 Valve Grinding Bushing with box

 

[Ed in Virginia]

K-D 2078 Valve Spring Compressor

 

[Ayrhead]

K-D 2078 Valve Spring Compressor

Instead of @Ed in Virginia, maybe you should change your name to the King of K-D…
Some very interesting tools.

 

[Ed in Virginia]

Instead of @Ed in Virginia, maybe you should change your name to the King of K-D…
Some very interesting tools.

Thank you, but there are folks in this forum who have FAR more impressive (in size and quality) collections than I did (I've sold all my K-Ds). It's the main reason I enjoy this site daily, because I learn something new almost every time I visit.

 

[Ayrhead]

Thank you, but there are folks in this forum who have FAR more impressive (in size and quality) collections than I did (I've sold all my K-Ds). It's the main reason I enjoy this site daily, because I learn something new almost every time I visit.

What made you start collecting? I got started fill up the back of my Corvair Rampside Pickup Truck as in the sides of the truck it say Budapest Auto Repair. That way it would look more like a working shop truck…this picture was from last week at a cruise day in Heidelberg, Ontario

 

[Ed in Virginia]

Very cool! I love that Corvair pickup. I never knew Chevy made one.

I've been a collector of things all my life - started with stamps and coins as a young boy. About 30 years ago, we moved to the country, and I bought an old Ford tractor that was in great shape. It came with a factory tool kit with the tools stamped with the classic Ford script logo. I started researching them and realized that I often saw some of them at flea markets and estate sales, and got a few more, and the disease kicked in and led to other tools, most of them automotive related. I am at an age when I need to start thinking about what will happen to all of it. Neither of my sons has an interest, and my wife has threatened to scrap all of them, so I have been selling them off and trying to get them in the hands of folks who will appreciate them.

 

[Ayrhead]

Very cool! I love that Corvair pickup. I never knew Chevy made one.

I've been a collector of things all my life - started with stamps and coins as a young boy. About 30 years ago, we moved to the country, and I bought an old Ford tractor that was in great shape. It came with a factory tool kit with the tools stamped with the classic Ford script logo. I started researching them and realized that I often saw some of them at flea markets and estate sales, and got a few more, and the disease kicked in and led to other tools, most of them automotive related. I am at an age when I need to start thinking about what will happen to all of it. Neither of my sons has an interest, and my wife has threatened to scrap all of them, so I have been selling them off and trying to get them in the hands of folks who will appreciate them.

Thanks for letting me know of how you got into collecting. It sure can become addictive that’s for sure. I get a lot of enjoyment out of displaying the truck. There are some people who love the truck, some who love all the old tools as well as some that thought the truck was chopped and converted from a van. It’s definitely a crowd pleaser.

 

[four.cycle]

@Ayrhead - now you know why I suggested making this a dedicated thread for engine tools. I knew it would bring all kinds of widgets out of the woodwork.

I've got more to show if it's ok to keep posting them.

It's all good. Keep 'em coming. Your photo images are so small I cannot make out detail, so.....

for you guys posting here in this thread:

If your object has a patent number on it, can you please provide us a photo showing patent number (or date) or at least include the number in the post?
A LOT of what has already been posted here either is not listed at datamp.org, or the listings at datamp.org are incomplete and/or contain errata.

Thanks!

 

[four.cycle]

to underscore just how tiny a tip of the iceberg has been uncovered thus far:

Here's one for starters from 101 years ago.. In 2016, I did a 30 page "survey" of valve lifters & grinders for the wrench club membership. Other than a GOODELL-PRATT from 1923, everything else was from 1920 or earlier. So it has the earliest K-D, etc.
At present, DATAMP has 98 patents with "Valve Spring Tools" category.
I did not get into piston related tools.
Regards, Stan S.

 

[Ayrhead]

@Ayrhead - now you know why I suggested making this a dedicated thread for engine tools. I knew it would bring all kinds of widgets out of the woodwork.


It's all good. Keep 'em coming. Your photo images are so small I cannot make out detail, so.....

for you guys posting here in this thread:

If your object has a patent number on it, can you please provide us a photo showing patent number (or date) or at least include the number in the post?
A LOT of what has already been posted here either is not listed at datamp.org, or the listings at datamp.org are incomplete and/or contain errata.

Thanks!

Good call @four.cycle lots if interesting tools, etc for sure

 

[four.cycle]

^ .... and as Stan notes: he didn't go down the "piston tools" rabbit hole, so there are doubtless a good number of engine-related tools (many of which were patented) that aren't part of that database. (OR on the list)

 

[four.cycle]

K-D 600 Valve Spring Compressor (patent 1330542)

Manufactured by K-D Mfg. Co., Lancaster, PA in 1927

Note this specimen has the orange locking tab, which is described in patent 1461275 issued Jul 10 1923 to Harry W. Kulp and Martin C. Dellinger.
Curiously, the unit is not marked with the patent date for the later patent.

Later units are marked with all of the applicable patent numbers, including patent 1879330 issued Sep 27 1932 to Kulp and Dellinger. (example photo images below)

In the process of editing the photos and digging around for patents and early advertisements for this unit, I found a notation in a file:

“I have always wondered why my earliest “Universal” lifter (Patent 1330542/Feb. 10, 1920) doesn’t look like the patent drawing. Going through DATAMP with a little closer lens revealed that the “lock” mechanism was patented on July 10, 1923 (1461275), but applied for on March 6 1921...and lo and behold, as this May 1922 Motor Age ad proves......they were producing a version of their earliest lifter with the “lock” on it, with only the first patent date marked on it, well before the "lock" patent was granted.”

Another thing I noticed while running a search on ebay for similar examples is that whereas my unit's jaws are secured to the main frame with cotter pins, later versions used two threaded thumbscrews. Additionally the "arms" (stamped "A" and "B") on my unit have hooked ends which simply slip into two elongated slots on the outboard side of the frame. Later units are held together with rivets.

It would appear then that over the course of time this model was produced in several different iterations, all of which follow the basic design and and are covered under the three above cited patents as well as later patents (listed at datamp.org on the 1879330 page.)

see also

 

[Ayrhead]

I picked up a pair of Armature Testers. Something from a blast in the past…
A Bluepoint AT-12 and a Marquette 41-107. The gentleman I purchased these from had them to check out his Ford Model A’s… unfortunately no manuals but I’ll have a look on the internet.

 

[Beerhippie]

What made you start collecting? I got started fill up the back of my Corvair Rampside Pickup Truck as in the sides of the truck it say Budapest Auto Repair. That way it would look more like a working shop truck…this picture was from last week at a cruise day in Heidelberg, Ontario

I see you have the most important box in the most accessible place: the cooler.

 

[Ayrhead]

I see you have the most important box in the most accessible place: the cooler.

U got that right…

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a tool that the thread host should appreciate. It’s for accurately resurfacing the head gasket seating area on Corvair heads.
-Don

 

[Ayrhead]

Thanks Don. A Kewl Tool..

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Here is a tool that the thread host should appreciate. It’s for accurately resurfacing the head gasket seating area on Corvair heads.
-Don

Would it be carbon build up that would be to clean up? Very cool.

 

[four.cycle]

@d42jeep -

Lyell Eng. Co. (Hannibal MO) Corvair cylinder head flycutter tool

don't suppose there's any patent date or number on that unit, is there?

====

@Ayrhead - this is why I suggested creating a dedicated thread for this tool genre.

 

[d42jeep]

I’m afraid not. I tried to get all the markings visible on the tool. It cuts the aluminum head gasket surface.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

I’m afraid not. I tried to get all the markings visible on the tool. It cuts the aluminum head gasket surface.
-Don

Does the Corvair engine use a gasket? IIRC, VW air-cooled just used metal-metal.

 

[d42jeep]

They originally used a crushable stainless steel ring. I use an aftermarket copper ring that is available in various thicknesses.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

They originally used a crushable stainless steel ring. I use an aftermarket copper ring that is available in various thicknesses.
-Don

VW may have also--it's been at least 40 years since I've rebuilt an airboxer.

 

[d42jeep]

If I recall correctly, air cooled VW engines don’t have gaskets between the cyls and the head. If the heads have been flycut there are gaskets or shims to use between the cyls and the case.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

If I recall correctly, air cooled VW engines don’t have gaskets between the cyls and the head. If the heads have been flycut there are gaskets or shims to use between the cyls and the case.
-Don

Whew! Brain's still working!

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve forgotten a lot but not quite everything. We did plenty of VW work at our shop In Berkeley.
-Don

-Don

 

[four.cycle]

okay, I have to ask:
Gary Greg Don = brothers?

 

[d42jeep]

No. Greg and I have been friends since High School and our late helper Scott was wearing Greg’s coveralls. Greg and I are now neighbors during the summers. After a career as a Toyota executive he has done some car restorations including a couple of four cylinder Porsches and his ‘46 Willys Jeep.
A Jeep outing in 2014.
Last year with our wives and old friends.
Greg, his wife Stevie and I last year.
-Don

 

[Ayrhead]

No. Greg and I have been friends since High School and our late helper Scott was wearing Greg’s coveralls. Greg and I are now neighbors during the summers. After a career as a Toyota executive he has done some car restorations including a couple of four cylinder Porsches and his ‘46 Willys Jeep.
A Jeep outing in 2014.
Last year with our wives and old friends.
Greg, his wife Stevie and I last year.
-Don

Luv that you’re sharing the memories!!

 

[MShaw]

I don't know if it belongs here but too cool not to share, especially in the original box with the $3.79 marked on the end. Bought it from an on line tool dealer . The address is pre zip code so older than 1963.

 

[four.cycle]

Scott was wearing Greg’s coveralls

ahh!
I stared at the photo for several minutes and thought "No, they didn't have TWO Gregs working in the same shop," so I speculated one of them had to be a "Gary".
How long were you running that shop? Decades?

 

[Ayrhead]

I don't know if it belongs here but too cool not to share, especially in the original box with the $3.79 marked on the end. Bought it from an on line tool dealer . The address is pre zip code so older than 1963.

Super Kewl!!

 

[d42jeep]

ahh!
I stared at the photo for several minutes and thought "No, they didn't have TWO Gregs working in the same shop," so I speculated one of them had to be a "Gary".
How long were you running that shop? Decades?

Mid 70s to early 80s. We both had worked in other people’s shops before deciding to open our own. We had lots of fun (maybe too much) but we didn’t make all that much money and working on other people’s cars got to be less enjoyable after a while. I wouldn’t trade the experience though.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

Blue Point TM65 1/4" square drive flex driver

manufactured for Snap-on/Blue-Point by Aircraft Specialties Inc., Lapeer, Michigan (later Shaw Enterprises) - the same manufacturer who made the same tool for a great number of differerent companies (like the Indestro model 2820 below.)

The attachments - as is usually the case - have become estranged from their drivers.

 

[four.cycle]

MAC CA-80 Carburetor Adjustment Tool

manufactured for MAC by ?

As with the 1/4" flexible driver above, a few of these specialty tools were all made by the same company. This is one of those.
Here it is in a 1972 "Cal-Van" catalog (below):

* oh look! guess who else Aircraft Specialties made that 1/4" flexible driver for!

 

[four.cycle]

Old-school vacuum and fuel pump pressure gauge.

no markings anywhere.

anyone recognize it?

 

[Junkman]

Crikey, I remember encountering the braided rope style alleged "seals" in my ancient Chevy in high school. Replacing the craptastic cork valve cover gaskets was a frequent and fruitless task.

Hard to believe how standard it used to be for engines to drip oil and be worn out in 80,000 miles.

Today there is a simple solution to the leaking valve cover gaskets. The leak was caused by GM just using the head casting and not machining a flat surface on the head for the valve cover gasket. If you have access to a Bridgeport machine, just set up the head in it, and take a small cut on the casted ridge till it is flat and even all around. No more pesky leaks.

 

[Junkman]

Does the Corvair engine use a gasket? IIRC, VW air-cooled just used metal-metal.

Originally, in 1960, Chevrolet was using steel head gaskets, and they were experiencing a lot of blown head gasket failures. Sometimes, I think it was in mid-1962 that they switched to the copper head gaskets, and the problem became more tolerable. The 1960 Corvair the head torque was quite low, and that also lead to head gasket failure. Then they began to increase the torque of the head bolt nuts until, in 1964, they reached 40 pounds of torque. Today, it is almost impossible to obtain the original head bolt nuts, and the ones that are available will strip out if you exceed the "recommended" 35 pounds of torque.