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Remember when we used to pull cylinder heads with a cherry picker and a prayer? | Diesel Mechanics - Free To Speak

Remember when we used to pull cylinder heads with a cherry picker and a prayer?

I was rebuilding a 5.9 Cummins last month and used a proper head stand for the first time. Back in the day at my old shop, we'd just balance the thing on a rolling floor jack and hope it didn't tip while two guys guided it. It was sketchy, took forever, and we scratched a few decks. This time, I rented a stand for $40 for the weekend. Had the head bolted to it, flipped it over to clean the fire deck and lap valves without any fuss. The difference was night and day. It felt safe, it was way faster, and I could actually see what I was doing. Makes me wonder how many hours we wasted and how many gasket surfaces we messed up doing it the old way. Anyone else have a 'why didn't I do this sooner' moment with a basic piece of shop equipment?

4 comments

4 Comments

samk774mo ago

My old boss finally bought a valve spring compressor last year.

alicemurphy4mo ago

Only took him that long, huh? What was he doing before, using two screwdrivers and praying? That sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen. Bet that first job with the real tool felt like magic. How many springs do you think he launched into orbit over the years?

aaron7404mo ago

My buddy lost a spring through his garage ceiling.

sethfoster2mo ago

Man, that's the truth right there. It's wild how we all just accept doing things the hard way because that's how we were taught or that's what we had. I've started noticing it with everything, not just car stuff. Like, I used to fight with a crappy old manual can opener every morning for years, then my wife bought one of those electric ones and it literally changed my whole breakfast routine. It's the same deal with good lighting in a shop or a decent impact wrench. We just get used to being frustrated and don't realize how much easier it could be until someone forces us to try the actual right tool.