I thought I'd post this. For those that do your own stuff. Engines are what I'm talking about. You may read about having brand new performance parts (like heads and such) checked and/or fixed. But, there are a lot of other little things. The parts this is the subject of are Crane Race Gold rocker assemblies. I know of many places (pro shops) that take them from the box, assemble them, and bolt them on. I know of more hobbyists that do the same. Some even at the track for back-to-back comparisons. Before I assemble anything, I do a lot of thinks. Close inspections, washing, bruching out, stuff like that. What you are looking at are filings and burrs from the hardened shafts that I removed from the holes where the rocker shaft retaining bolts/studs pass thru. They are lying on a black case for a tool, so you can see them better. The largest is about 3/8" long, the others are smaller. All these are hardened steel material. Teh big ones will more than likely end up stuck in the shafts themselves, wher they will simply reside. The smaller ones will pass thru the rockers, out the oiling holes, and down into the sump. Where they are small enough to get picked up thru the pickup screen, and succked into the oil pump. They are small enough to get thru everything, and large enough to bind the pump and shear a std oil pump drive shaft. These are commonly used parts, with great reputations, and this is not the first time I've seen them. The message is this: Take your time. Dont let excitement get the best of you. Inspect and clean everything, because new doesnt mean good, or ready for install. And most of all, dont dive in over your head without a life guard! Nobody likes to spend money needlessly. But they really get mad when they have to spend twice.
