One-Man Manual Machine Shop Preps Sprint Car Race Engine! | Gerald Brand Racing Engines

[@gdprice79]

It's a miracle that machine shops charge as little as they do. This is a whole lot of knowledge, time, specialized equipment and attention to detail. Awesome!

[@kevinpalmer2975]

If you aren't into the machining processes it's all like watching grass grow. But, for people like me that are into it loads of useful knowledge. Thanks dude.

[@BrandRacingEngines]

thanks

[@johnkorotki7861]

Love your old school methods. Thank you for the awesome videos.

[@jeanlawson9133]

Indeed great video 😎 Content worth watching...

[@C_71]

I've never done it, and it's not like grass growing! It's like watching what I can't watch happen to my engine!

[@christianmccollum1028]

Fascinating process 👍

[@waynefisher7694]

we appreciate you putting the vids out and sharing your knowledge.

[@Hogiewan1]

I’m 53, and have a 71 Camaro. I’m working with a semi-retired machinist to build a 383 from a gen II small block I bought on marketplace with multiple spun bearings. It’s a one man show, and I’ve been patient because I consider it commissioning an artist. Thank you for showing us the work to make us happy!

[@waltermcmahan5096]

I can watch Gerald all day long . The pride in his work is 2nd to none

[@robertbenkleman4790]

As a tool and die for 46 years it’s nice to see that not not all is lost. Manual machining was always the way to do most special things. Great job

[@richb4099]

Old school......I worked in an engine shop for over 10 years. My boss could hone a race block pretty much as good as anyone.....on a CK-10..That was over 30 years ago and we did not have any of the better fixturing. I milled blocks on a Storm Vulcan 85-B and bored them with an FN boring bar sitting right on the decks of the blocks. Did heads with stones.....no Serdi or any other head machine. Labor intensive but mostly with good results. I still do engine work at home. Most of the guys I worked with ended up in NASCAR shops and 1 is a dyno operator for a real good shop.....I still love watching engine machining especially when it's as dead nuts accurate as your doing.....

[@rprice7670]

I can watch the grass grow anytime when it comes to machine work. Thanks bud for sharing stay safe

[@morainemammoth]

I used to work at a machine shop 35 years ago before I decided to go back to school and get my engineering degree. Your shop is immaculate!

[@putinkhuylo]

There is NO substitute for experience. Thank you for sharing yours, Gerald. Much respect. 🙏

[@krazykozey2259]

Happy I found your channel. I have 1 bridgeport and just bought 2 more and a lathe along with a rottler valve grinder. I decided when covid started to start building a manual machine shop because I'm "young" enough to see what's going on with the economy and the world in general that I don't want to depend on computers and China is something we're to go down😂. Also, I enjoy manual work and only work on classic cars currently. I've made a clamping setup to deck blocks and heads on my big bridgeport. I know the setup time is my drawback, and eventually I will buy proper machines. I've done heads and blocks for sub 9 second cars already and never have had a issue with a client's motor because I do check 3 times before doing and milling or resurfacing. I love old technology and the fact you don't have to rely on anyone but yourself to fix or to fab/engineer stuff to work. ❤

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

Gerald you are an amazing machinist! Your attention to detail and precision is second to none. Folks that use your services know they are getting likely MORE than they paid for! Excellent work!

[@jesschambers6551]

I will never work in a machine shop, but love the nitty gritty of engine building. Thanks for the time and effort you put in Mr. Brand! You can see the passion in your work

[@TotalSeal]

Gerald is the MAN! He knows what he's talking about!

[@proinnsiasoc]

Brilliant video. Loads of content shared and techniques. I'm a Toolmaker 30 years and the machining is appreciated.

[@mikemaccracken3112]

Thanks for the video Gerald. Now people can see the equipment it takes to do the job right.

[@mayhemsmaster5050]

Gerald you are never boring! Its fascinating watching and learning from you and your decades of knowledge. You have such an incredible work ethic and attention to detail. Thank you for anotjer wonderful video... and thank you Chief and Jackie for their wonderful help and assistance to make these videos possible.🙏💜

[@kencentraljerseyakachiller3177]

much respect ... a legend in my opinion ... a truely lost art that seems to be going to be lost to the "just buy what you need " approach ... unless you know what is meant by" machining " not many know what you fuss over when getting your engine built and why quality like this is needed ... kudos to you, We would like to get a video from Big Chief ... update on Jackie and the caddy .... Also , any updates on your bill getting thru we are with you in prayers and thoughts keep the videos coming, we do appreciate them

[@BrandRacingEngines]

I will post update on the bill. Jackie and Chief are working hard.

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

I learned something new about decking a block from this video. The technique of slightly repositioning the block to achieve a truer surface. I’d never known of that process. Great video.

[@partsman6815]

I love watching a true machinist at work.

[@Icook4u71]

A master at his craft is never boring. Makes me wish i would have applied myself more when I had the opportunity.

[@av8tore71]

Interesting how all this works. I'm an attorney but on weekends I work on airplanes as a side job. I had no idea car engines go through a process like this in order to rebuild it. I just went through Jasper to replace an engine and transmission on my daughter Dodge Avenger SE with the V6 and CVT (Crap transmission) thanks for sharing this

[@jeffmckc2081]

In the Land of Giant CNC Machines, a guy thats skilled in his craft not just hitting a button. This is what I grew up with, and why we used to hang out at the Local Machine shop.

[@peanutsmcgonnagle2458]

Hey! That was a LOT of fun watching that! That 18 mins. went by super quick! One thing about this business, no matter how many times people have done similar jobs, someone else has always got maybe a little bit quicker or better way to do it. But the way you did things is the way I like to do them; have patience and don't get in a hurry! Thanks again!

[@BrandRacingEngines]

Thanks

[@Timbo428CJ]

Gerald, I've never actually seen a hone machine before. Your setup is pretty straightforward, and I'm sure it's not as easy as it looks. Thanks for sharing, we're never too old to learn new things. You're great at what you do !

[@whiplashmachine]

Engine machining is quite easy, nothing like manufacturing machining. The real skill is the knowledge of knowing what, where when and why to machine something. The stress reduction is knowing "who" not to machine stuff for

[@goldCrystalhaze]

Amazing work! Thanks for sharing it with us. This is really top level art. This man is more than a repair shop. He is an active link in the process of redefining the trade and raising the standards for the rest of the world.

[@supercuda1950]

The machines may change to accomplish various processes but the basic machining techniques remain the same. A seasoned machinist (not old) knows all the little tricks of the trade and even some not well known. Point is finding a good machinist can be a crap shoot but once you find a good one your engine will thank you. Also, the cost or the number of machines has nothing to do with the quality of the work. The knowledge in the head of the machinist determines the quality of the work. Great video, I look forward to watching the rest of your videos.

[@militantnormal428]

I know nothing about machining, but I’m fascinated by it and the skill and knowledge to do it!

[@Chevyv8man1]

Thank for showing us this. I'm always interested in the process of building a engine. This is never boring to me. Keep them coming. Later

[@c10burnout93]

Nothing compares to the wisdom you can get from guys like yourself. It’s not about watching the hone it’s listing to the pearls.

[@robwigglezz944]

Thanks for passing along your knowledge

[@michaelmorgado]

Very interesting technique with your finishing zero passes on the deck surface. The same technique is used when blocking your body work on large and extremely flimsy body panels, mainly due to thin gauge materials and lack of body lines. …I don’t think that I’ve ever seen that same technique being used in the machining of a block. It’s all in the details!!! Thank you Mr Brand.

[@aaronward3882]

In the machining world his zero pass is referred to as a spring pass. What actually happens is the material that is "cut" actually deflects or bends around the cutting edge then springs back after the cutting edge passes. Also his machine and set up are flexing while taking heavy cuts and not so much with the light cuts.

[@stevenbelue5496]

I just wonder how many decks are sent out the door uneven because there was no zero pass hair cut or pass across with a dial gauge

[@stevenbelue5496]

It's funny how what most people do on a day to day basis and they think is boring is of great interest to others. As I've got older I've become more enthused with machine work, hopefully one day I'll enough equipment to do my own work. Love the videos

[@BrandRacingEngines]

After 46 year it can be but i still love it

[@RonaldLewis-py6yt]

Nice work,I know it's time consuming and thankful you go to great pains to get it right ✅️ for your customers!!

[@ronthepainter3313]

I've watched a lot of honing videos from stuff that's the latest and greatest to machinery that looks like it's from the stone age and the conclusion I draw is that while the machinery has changed the end result always boils down to the skill and experience of the machinist. Great video and excellent explanation as always.

[@ced3098]

That rare to see a real and right way to machine block surface , thanks for video and enjoy real machining with accuracy .

[@NjalLaing]

I'm a fitter/turner and fitter/welder and was lucky to get a just over 2 years in an automotive machine shop doing driveshaft repairs/mods and crack testing/repair and resurfacing heads and blocks and valve guides and seats plus engine balancing The shop did general automotive engine work but also specialized in VW speedway midget engines and VW offroad racing engines back when they were a thing Most satisfying work, I wasn't allowed to learn block boring or crank or camshaft grinding as that was purely the Automotive Machinists domain So I was doing the work the machinists considered mundane and less skilled but I enjoyed my time in the shop and I learnt alot I went onto machining in a Midget Speedway Car chassis building shop, we made everything as we couldn't import racecar parts to New Zealand back then So most everything on the chassis except tires and the shock dampers, we got castings made locally for quick change diffs stearing boxs brake calipers etc and forgings for stub axles etc and machined them all in house except machining the wheels as our lathes were too small This video bought back memories of my time in the Automotive Machining Shop and racecar building for me Thankyou 👍

[@LeviGC93]

Appreciate you taking the time to make it clear and thoroughly explaining not only what you are doing, but why. Great video

[@uncleremis69]

Decades of knowledge. I’ll try to absorb as much as I can. Mr Brand, between you and “Uncle Bob”, (he’s the engine builder for another channel I watch) I have learned more about engine building and machining than I ever have.

[@CharlesM-hq6cv]

Love watching any videos that comes out on you tube by this man, he makes it look so sensible, measures everything he does what a professional….would love to work for this guy…

[@BrandRacingEngines]

Thanks

[@BrentAllen99]

These videos are great to watch, it really gives a feel for how much time and attention goes into properly building engines. Keep the videos coming!!

[@chris_sirhc01]

Nice work. Not long after completing my fitting and machining trade I worked for a gentleman in his machine shop who raced a dragster at the time and I was introduced to the stressing of the deck while machining and honeing which makes sense when in the assembled state it's stressed. He also showed me balancing pistons and con rods which I appreciated greatly even if he was just paying me pretty much labouring rates. Cheers

[@jdshaw2751]

Great video Mr. Brand! It's interesting to see the process an engine goes through. For someone who's dropped stuff off to be machined, you see it going in and after it comes out, but never the process it goes through! Thank you, and keep the videos coming!

[@benrossbach6501]

Thanks for your knowledge.

[@thereadinesschannel7610]

I rode those machines every day years ago with exception of the sunnen surfacer…..(we used the old storm block master back then) and I thoroughly enjoyed this vid…..took me back when this was a going industry. I still remember the first time I used the cylinder hone ( old red CK before the CV) and thought I was in heaven. Anyone that goes back to hand honing with a half inch drill can appreciate that statement.

[@BrandRacingEngines]

The first shop I work in we used a 1/2 hand drill Damn near killed me LOL

[@rodneywroten2994]

Sir that brought back memories, worked for a independent shop doing the same but the last 17 years worked for Ford dealer in eng performance, you have a quality shop very nice

[@BrandRacingEngines]

Thanks

[@kennethcohagen3539]

Hot Rod did a build years ago, where they compared the 305 to a ford 302. The 305 was out in every direction, the heads weren’t square to the crank, and the crank ran someways through the block. They used the same cam, compression ratio, and type of intake, headers etc. then they installed the 305 in a Camaro and the 302 in a Mustang. The 305 blew up and the 302 ran well.

[@anonone8954]

I would have like to watched that. I'm going to look for it. Years ago, maybe hard to find?

[@oldguyworks1650]

In the last 40 yrs i have machined one or two blocks. You are not boring but you are honing lol. What stands out, above and beyond is that ya care about what your doing. Details matter. Thanks

[@DScaglione.]

This is what brings the Roogas! God Bless 😎

[@michaelwynne4346]

Class in session.

[@pizzandoughnutspage7817]

You and Ruby are the best, thanks for your hard work and great explanations!

[@victorwesterlin82]

Great information, thanks!!!

[@MissionaryForMexico]

I received my apprenticeship thru National Tool and Die, and working at Hahn & Clay in Houston, Texas. I learned to operate with close tolerance marching there on some of the largest machine tools in America!

[@tommy2dollaz]

"it's a bit of a boring process" lol helluva pun there Gerald even if you're technically honing

[@skip1835]

Guess I like watching grass grow - - immersive stuff Gerald, love watching you and I appreciate all of the subtle insights you share from all of your experience - - I also find myself wondering about the equipment you use, talk about Einstein, the level of precision vs the virtual size of everything, hard to imagine what must be involved it's manufacturing.

[@stevo196two9]

This is the tedious job. Thank you for being a professional for doing that job for us customers very professional, and precise. I wonder factory engines are so out of whack. They’ll have time to do all this no way that’s what they meant by the old days balancing and blueprinting just what you’re doing hereawesome

[@jeffreyworthington7558]

I'm not into watching grass grow. I very much enjoy learning from watching you work. Thanks for the video.

[@edsmachine93]

Nice work Gerald. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Ed.

[@BrandRacingEngines]

Thanks

[@mikebates7234]

Man I sure wish you were closer to me, I would be at your shop all the time! You sure are a nice man! Keep them coming and thanx

[@samheumann5640]

I'm amazed by the pseudo head you bolted to the block prior to honing......I'm guessing an installed head causes normal distortion and you are accounting for it. As others have said, I love watching the grass grow. Your attention to detail is super.

[@brianstephanierobertson357]

Gerald thank you for sharing your knowledge!! Found it very informative, keep up the good work!!!

[@shanewatters4967]

Thanks again Gerald. Love the content. Very informative to us gear heads that aren't actual machines.

[@doggfriendly]

You can always use diamonds down to .00025" Then switch to stones to get that sweet stone finish with a proper RA and RZ. Yet you won't have to deal with all the used material from the vitrified stone bars.

[@StickA-yd4fp]

Always enjoy watching a craftsmen at work. Coming from a button pusher machine operator.

[@kevinolaughlin4278]

Great video, I always wondered how this process was done. Love the videos, thanks for taking the time to share your work . I always look forward to the next video, 👍

[@glennwhite5187]

Love in KC mo. Ares and there are so few of you true machinists left!!!

[@RW-kd4gxwhiteshaddow]

Good stuff

[@petermccuskey1832]

I did this years ago for drag motors and used blue print material and found that heat was a very big player. Great video. I used aa Sun machine.

[@Giorobot]

Man i wish your were in my area to hangout at your shop from time to time , even work for free monetary but the knowledge i would get its more valuable

[@nostromoclyde3112]

Unfortunately I think I’m the last of a dying breed. As long as I could remember I loved cars and when I matured and realized I like working with my hands even though I could work with my head too. it started with mechanic work but the more into it I realized the engine interested me the most. I can fiddle with everything else about a car but the motor for my age being 22 I can confidently say I know more then most car enthusiasts but never brag or flaunt it. I’m humbled by the craft and have such a respect for it. I’ve been into only classical cars ad the machining and building that goes with it but I figured out fast I’m sadly probably the last generation to touch these cars and know this craft and that one day I’ll hit the age and there will be no more of these old timers that I can go to for help and there will only be me and people of my generation, no older or younger, just us.

[@jonrobichaud3645]

Great video Gerald lots of great information

[@charlessagona4582]

Always a informative video. Thanks

[@oikkuoek]

Honing isn't boring. Boring happens with a cutting tool, usually made with hard steel blade, when honing is made with stone or diamond. All have different types of carbon. Could've watched an hour of this easily. Especially that decking process with the setups and adjustments is an artform, just as is the honing itself. Both equally important to do right if one wishes to win.

[@H3110NU]

Well done sir

[@jondahl3173]

Man, even when Gerald is boring a block, it's not boring!!😅

[@ricksheppard31]

Who doesn't like watching the grass grow you've got a new subscriber

[@johncoppock7941]

Have used Gerald before and will tell you his work is spot on.

[@chadcoffman1870]

Nothing like watching a pro make it look easy it don’t look it but this is a lot of work.

[@loveoldcarsguy]

Jeeze! Amazing difference from shop to shop. I guess the it’s street or race prep! 👍👍👍

[@danielmutum6652]

Thank you. I always enjoy the teaching you give!

[@c-man5679]

Nobody takes the time to stop and smell the flowers or watch the grass grow.... It's a great way to slow down life, so it doesn't pass you by

[@yattaran1484]

Thank you for posting very interesting videos every time !. Although whole process seems sober and time consuming but I believe they are really important process for the motor to make its highest performance !.

[@johnpowers1054]

Awesome content. Very interesting to gear heads and learning machinests. Keep it up 🎉

[@thenameforcorey2261]

Gerald it's not boring at all the reason we're hear well I'm hear is to learn as much as possible from a intelligent machinist like yourself

[@thenameforcorey2261]

I really appreciate u even caring to share this information because to guys in the auto field , u can't put a price on the value of your experience

[@arturozarate1752]

Thank you Mr. Brand!

[@danieljones685]

Lol awesome content you need to get on to Justin and Jackie got you into making KZbin videos and they haven’t posted in two months

[@BrandRacingEngines]

They are working on it

[@danieljones685]

@@BrandRacingEngines thanks love the content and being a machinist myself seeing the way other people do it is awesome

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

THANK YOU JACKIE FOR HELPING THIS MAN OUT ! You are one helluva human !!! ❤

[@BrandRacingEngines]

Yes she is

[@kennieb5606]

CHIEF AND JACKIE YOU MEAN

[@MrWill73]

Great video Gerald! Love watching the process of machining an engine 👍👍👍

[@terrydolbow4299]

Good info because a good machine shop are starting to les and les! Thanks for the video.

[@tonydowns9424]

Great post! Now for a look at line bore of mains. Keep up the great work.

[@bigbelconut]

I worked in a machine shop, the one thing that trips me out is when people question me about the price, sure it only takes 15 20 minutes to surface a head, but it takes 30 min to set it up and 20 years of experience to do it correctly. You don't know how many heads I surface because someone watched a video on how to surface a head with a 2x4 and sand paper.

[@dannyparris9172]

Very interesting video, Thanks! I wonder can you expound on the torque sequence on the torque plate and head installation? Its different than what I was taught. Just curious if you have better repeatability with roundness after putting the cylinder head on? I may want to add this method to my madness.

[@BrandRacingEngines]

I was taught that at the first shop I work at.Torque one head inside out and then see how many times you have to go over the torque to make it solid.Do my sequence and see how many times you have to go over it to make the torque solid.

[@The340king]

0.004” is extraordinarily low from my experience. The majority have been in the 0.011” to 0.017” range for end for end level. I like the use of the BHJ Block Tru device. It’s a great tool. We started doing a rough deck to just level/square, mock up and measurement on the 4 corners with the actual rotating assembly, finish decking, and then finish honing. It’s a little extra work, but it was a great way to get confirmation that the deck was level and the bores were perpendicular to the deck/crank centerline.

[@apollorobb]

We use to Run some Brand motors back when the OKC speedway was still around

[@lollipop84858]

I live the smell of honing oil in the morning! I like to call zero passes ghost pases lol. I figured at work on the surface grinder that a sharpie line is .0002 thick Love that you use daytona sensors too! Great products

[@kedfarmrepairs]

What stones do you use before you use the plateau brushes on a stock block like that?

[@BrandRacingEngines]

150 -200 first 400 sec. Load on the stones has a big effect on your finish.

[@kedfarmrepairs]

@@BrandRacingEngines so somewhere along the lines of an EHU-412 then a JHU 820?

[@BrandRacingEngines]

@@kedfarmrepairs Yes , with a cv616 25 to 30 on load meter

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

He has forgot more than I will ever know....Great work Sir !!!

[@everettoakes3153]

Great video!

[@GasCarGarage]

Gerald I definitely wish you were local. You would get all of my business. Keep the content coming 👍💯

[@lancecluster]

Just found your channel, enjoyed the process. I think you did a nice job on the editing of this, always a tough balance between too much detail and not enough. Well done.

[@DURRIESVISION]

Gr8 video, watching from 'Down Under' OZ 🇦🇺. Keep them coming.....👍

[@johnwinnard5589]

Gerald built my 355 for my Camaro. He also secretly built the guy I was trying to beat. Yay for Gerald.