SLM Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Hi everyone. Sorry to interrupt but I need some help identifying a tool for a homework assignment. If anyone could tell me what this is and what it is used for I'd really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Piston ring groove cleaner 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Piston ring groove cleaner 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 So just out of curiosity, what class is this for, and why are you asking us to do your homework for you? 😉 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Newbie must be taking auto repair 101.. Just guessing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLM Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 Thanks! Honestly it's for my girlfriend's son and yeah he's starting Auto tech. I've worked on cars for 40 years and was a crew member / crew chief on a dirt track car for 15 years. Many years ago I saw one of these but never knew what it was. I really appreciate the help everyone! 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Do "auto techs" even rebuild engines anymore? I'd be amazed if a shop didn't just slap in a commercial rebuilt long block. The labor costs of rebuilding a motor in the shop would drive costs through the roof. And frankly, with all the motors I've rebuilt, I've never had cause to clean the piston ring grooves. I just buy new (forged) pistons. I'm sure there are less popular engines where one is forced to reuse pistons, but I'm amazed this is covered in a mainstream auto tech course. Heck, can you even get pistons knurled anymore? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 I was just shopping online for a new Snap On Solus Edge. It appears to have all the bells and whistles, the bells must have something to do with the rings? They need cleaning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 1 hour ago, joe_padavano said: Do "auto techs" even rebuild engines anymore? I'd be amazed if a shop didn't just slap in a commercial rebuilt long block. The labor costs of rebuilding a motor in the shop would drive costs through the roof. And frankly, with all the motors I've rebuilt, I've never had cause to clean the piston ring grooves. I just buy new (forged) pistons. I'm sure there are less popular engines where one is forced to reuse pistons, but I'm amazed this is covered in a mainstream auto tech course. Heck, can you even get pistons knurled anymore? One of our club members is currently taking an auto mech course at a local community college. I had a look through his text book and wow, what fantastic information in it! I gotta get a copy somehow. It is basic of course but the trouble shooting info and diagnostic details are amazing. I think SLM is just being resourceful. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLM Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 This is a first year class at a tech highschool and I honestly don't know what they will be covering and / or doing. I've never cleaned a ring groove either. The pic is from a worksheet where they had to identify the tool. I didn't have a clue what that was. I'm interested in how far into things they will be going myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Friend of mine made his living selling shop equipment to dealerships. He told me dealerships preferred hiring computer types over classically trained mechanics because it was easier to teach a computer nerd to change parts than it was to teach a mechanic to operate computers. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Restorer32 said: Friend of mine made his living selling shop equipment to dealerships. He told me dealerships preferred hiring computer types over classically trained mechanics because it was easier to teach a computer nerd to change parts than it was to teach a mechanic to operate computers. I concur. A good friend of mine is a top mechanic and over the years he has seen diagnostics become very computer friendly where the computer tells the tech what is going on and what to replace. However when things don't go "right" the computer guys head his way... Me? i'm just a one trick pony with 4 driving Reattas. I know in most cases it is just the end component that failed and my job is to just figure out the which end component. I have many extra parts in my parts bin and they are all tested good as when I get a part I install it and keep the just taken off part as a back up. Never failed me yet. Edited September 16, 2019 by DAVES89 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 25 minutes ago, Restorer32 said: Friend of mine made his living selling shop equipment to dealerships. He told me dealerships preferred hiring computer types over classically trained mechanics because it was easier to teach a computer nerd to change parts than it was to teach a mechanic to operate computers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 1 hour ago, SLM said: This is a first year class at a tech highschool and I honestly don't know what they will be covering and / or doing. I've never cleaned a ring groove either. The pic is from a worksheet where they had to identify the tool. I didn't have a clue what that was. I'm interested in how far into things they will be going myself. Shouldn't the answer have been in the textbook or class materials? Just sayin... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 I have one of these and have used it many times over the years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 I haven't used one in probably 50 years so if you want one for your shop class, PM me and I will send you mine, (if I can find it). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 A broken piece of old piston ring will do in a pinch. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bollman Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 I think I still have one somewhere too. Bought it at an auction about 50 years ago because I knew I would need it. May have used it once just to see how it worked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLM Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 10 hours ago, joe_padavano said: Shouldn't the answer have been in the textbook or class materials? Just sayin... Honestly I'm not sure what the class materials are yet. I haven't seen them but I'm interested. They were told to use the Snap-On website for reference material. Not having any idea what it was didn't give much idea on where to start, LOL! To be honest, I sent the picture to Snap-On to see what it was and they didn't know from the picture. 10 hours ago, 46 woodie said: I haven't used one in probably 50 years so if you want one for your shop class, PM me and I will send you mine, (if I can find it). Thanks, I appreciate the offer. If something comes up, I'll send you a message. 9 hours ago, Bloo said: A broken piece of old piston ring will do in a pinch. Now that I've heard of! 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Using the Snap-On page for reference will prepare them for their first mortgage payment! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Used one when I rebuilt the Moon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Spent many years in information security and always believed it belonged with guns and dogs, was a queation of authority, Also found it easier to teach a police (wo)man computers than a computer person security. Biggest hurdle was "chain of custody". Can see the same thing happening in auto shop, it is easier to use Torque Pro on a phone and OBD-II has been around in the US since 1996 models. BTW what Dave didn't mention is that a Reatta has a built in scan tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 I am about ready to pull the trigger on a Snap On Solus OBD2 scan tool. Computers have been a part of my daily work tools since November 1974 and I consider it a tool for a mechanic rather than the other way around. The 2003 BMW has two communication buses that talk to about 150 microprocessors. Currently I am studying OBD2 at the sensor level. Last night it hit me. whoa! This is all the stuff you read on an oscilloscope with an interface like windows. I plan to do this another 30 years. I have the key. To the topic, I have never cleaned a ring lands. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) 15 hours ago, 60FlatTop said: The 2003 BMW has two communication buses that talk to about 150 microprocessors. And that right there is the fundamental problem. In my day job, I build and fly launch vehicles to put satellites in orbit. Our rockets don't need anywhere near 150 microprocessors - more like 15-20. We also have an extremely rigorous verification and validation process for software and firmware used by these systems, and once that testing is complete, the configuration of the software is locked down. Needless to say, there is no such thing as "over the air" updates. Most of these automotive microprocessors are bandaids for poor design. Do windows in the doors REALLY need to roll down an inch when you close the door and then roll back up to seal the weatherstrip? GM built hardtops for half a century that didn't need this "feature". Of course, it isn't just automotive design - it's pervasive throughout all consumer products. Does your washing machine or refrigerator REALLY need to be connected to the interwebs? Does your coffee maker REALLY need a microprocessor to boil water? Edited September 18, 2019 by joe_padavano (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 26 minutes ago, joe_padavano said: build and fly launch vehicles to put satellites in orbit But I brought the BMW home every time I used it. I love the car and the technology drew me to it. There is a lot. My plan is to keep it 10 years and maintain it myself. To quote one famous observer "Fascinating". One of the first service jobs to the car require jacking one corner. Before jacking I searched everywhere to find a leveling shut off switch. Remember those air ride GM cars from 1958 to 1960 lying on their bellies in the used car row? Or the 1990's Lincolns sitting by a shop with deflated air bags. Those were electro-mechanical. Mine has rear air suspension and front electro-magnetic plus motors on the sway bar ends to control yaw. I had no intention of messing that up. Studied the manuals I found online, to enable the height control the car had to measure a 2-3 centimeter jounce in the suspension to be sure the car was moving. No action on my part, just jack it up. Little known to buyers I am sure, but a great feature to the self service owner. Probably made me feel akin to the 1950 used Duesenberg purchaser telling his friends about the dial indicator he bought to adjust the valves. I could go on but people get bored and fall asleep. And I have my own thoughts on orbital traffic management. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 DON'T START TALKING COMPUTERS IN THIS SITE You will loose 50% of the readers and confuse the other 49%. The other 1% actually found this site by accident! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 What was used to post THAT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now