This is for the the DIY home garage fellahs that just don't have a big fancy shop at your disposal. I did not write this; it was take from "Truckin'" Magazine. Although I did shorten it up a bit. 
enjoy
1) If you don't have any of the fancy new laser etched easy-to-read sockets, you can wipe some light-colored paint into the number etchings for an easy-to-read solution. Merely wipe off the excess and the number will be filled with paint that can be more easily read under your dimly lit garage.
2)A hand drill clamped in a vice grip can be used for a low-tech wire wheel or buffer. Just chuck the app. tool in place and go to work.
3)If you have a hold of but that cannot be reached with a box wrench nor fingers, a dab of grease at the end of a screwdriver will hold the nut in place and will be plenty small enough to get down in there.
4) Invest in a unibit (drill bit that's been tapered to extend the whole the deeper it goes). Works greet on sheet metals and will leave a smoother surface in less time.
5)To locate a ticking noise that you just can't seem to pinpoint, a piece of garden hose 24 inches long works great as a cheap stethoscope.
6) To monitor your wheel bearings, wire the car/truck up above the ground about 2-3 inches with just enough wheel clearence. At the top of the wheel; push and pull
If no movement ; bearings are good
if little movement; possible loose bolts/ possible bearing going bad
if too much movement; replace ASAP.
7) An antique style ammo box make the perfect bolt/nut/fastener holder with so man compartments that can be used to stay orginized.
8)Wraping electrical tape around a drill at a premeasured length maks an easy depth gauge point to stop the drill.
9) (header/turbo mani only) Low on power? To check if a cylinder isn't firing grab a spray bottle and mist some water near block on all header tubes and see which pipe isn't evaporating the misted water.
10) Using Q-tips to clean small detail part will save your finger nails and fingers some pain.
11) Never over oil reusable oil filters, too much oil can cause sensor to creat false reading or no readings. Oils can also be sucked into the motor.
12) When working with small parts, throw a sheet or blanket over your work area before hand. Leaving the sheet loose keep loose bolts and small gadgets from rolling away too far or getting lost.
13) Di-electric grease. There's a reason it was made. Use a dab of it on any light bulb socket to keep corrosion from making you buy another socket and bulb. Also works great on fuses.
14) Using a piece of pipe will always allow you to create more leverage. This will add a little bit of oomph to help break the bolt lose, or tighten the wheels up nicely.
15) Spilled fluids are best cleaned up with regular kitty litter. Kitty litter does not have as much dust and residue that stays behind even after it's been swept up!
16) When taking something apart; keep zip-lock bags handy with a permanent market to keep things orginized and keeps you from getting confused.
17) Old tooth brushes make great cleaning tools for those small areas.
18) Invest in a magnetic dish.
19) The leading cause of mal-functioning fuel pumps:
"overting due to low levels. today's pumps are actually cooled by the fuel and when the tank gets too low, the pump is exposed and gets hot. the pump actually starves momentarily as you stop, go, and corner, which only adds to the problem. don't wait for the light to refuel!!!"
20) When tapping holes on anything; rememeber....1/2 of a turn forward, but a 1/4 turn back. This will help clear the tap of debri that might keep it from cutting right, wich in turn will cause it to bind and brake.
21) Working with fiberglass? Use baby powder to keep the fiberglass from sticking to you.
22) Using a standard wrench to turn a metric bolt? Use the loose change in your pocket to decrease the gap between the bolt and wrench!
23) If your oil filter wrench is too big for the filter, use tape to decrease the cap and create a better grip.
24) Using tape or paint; mark the side of a 4-way lug wrench save a quick second.
25) Invest in a cheap engraver to keep any confusion from "sticky hands". Childish somewhat but have your name on your tools!
26) Used oil or gear lube bottles make great funnels.
27) Using an old serpentine belt or v-belt with a pair of grips will work great as a strapwrench.
28) Working with a driveshaft? Put a sock on the ends to keep fluids from excaping!
29) Major brand name tools have less clearence then a standard "jocky-lot" or cheap made tools. So remember this when dishing out 20 bucks for a 150pcs set of tools.
30)Any good batteries laying around? Keeping a bettery charged every 6-8 weeks will keep the battery from dying down.
31) When working in a tight spot with wrenches, tie a bit of string around your wrist and around the wrench to prevent the wrench from falling between the crack.
32) Plastic milk creates will keep your garage from getting any dirtier.
33) At your next oil change
(if no leak is found on your car, if you do have a leak and use synthetic, you will find that it will leak much quicker then before)
go ahead and dish out the extra bucks for the synthetic oil. Better lubed motor will create more ponies and longer life.
34) Old fleece sweaters are best for cleaning those surface you dont' want scratched.
35) When mounting a transmission. Use the appro. size threaded to mount up to the block; make sure it's pretty lengthy. The slide the tranny onto the threaded rods leading it to the block. Will make installation much easier.
36) Got new cap and rotor buck car still runs like junk? Cheaply made cap and rotors have aluminum inserts that will corrode many times quicker than ones of brass.
37) Tape can also be used on that wrench that's just a little bit too big for the nut or bolt.
38) Old sheets of carpet and large piece of cardboard are ideal for working under a car without getting too dirty.
39) Invest in a digital camera. Putting something together can be a pain in the A** if you don't remember how everything went. A few quick pics will be good enough to help.
40) Listerine works best on getting the smell of gasoline off your hands.
41) Brake cleaner and nail polish remover make great parts cleaner.
42) For best results using tire shine; allow up to 30 minutes to sit. Wipe off the excess.
43) Using white lithium grease or brake grease will lessen the squealin and noise making on the brakes.
44) Soaking rusted parts in vinegar for a day or too will break the parts loose of the rust. It will also clean them and leave them paint free!
45) Don't having something to catch those fluids? cookie sheets with a piece of cardboard or kitty litter in it will keep the fluids from going everywhere.
46) Vasoline on the better posts will keep your battery terminals from corroding and will keep them insulated during the winter months and dry durring the spring/summer season.
47) Didn't use the last tip on time? Use baking soda and water to clean terminal ends to be like new!
48) Nylon gloves work best when working with hazardous chemicals as compared to latex. Latex does not completely protect the skin.
49) Running a standard screwdriver against a magnet will create a magnetized screwdriver to get that hard to reach nut that fell.
50) Mix-matching tires can lead to a disaster due to different compounds and tread designs.
51) Use common chalk rubbed across your file to keep sticky metals like aluminum from sticking to your file!
52) Rain X works great on both in and out of a vehicles windows, but also helps preserve the window seals to keep the leaks away.
53) Find a screw in your tire? But patient and pull it out when the tire is low or dissinflated completely. This will keep it from blasting out and hurting someone.
54) When installing headers; do not use the given paper gaskets. Dish out the extra bucks for the multi-layer steel gaskets or copper gaskets to keep leaks away.
Finally done. If anyone else has any little tips or anything that make the job easier; feel free to share with the rest! :dancingco
enjoy1) If you don't have any of the fancy new laser etched easy-to-read sockets, you can wipe some light-colored paint into the number etchings for an easy-to-read solution. Merely wipe off the excess and the number will be filled with paint that can be more easily read under your dimly lit garage.
2)A hand drill clamped in a vice grip can be used for a low-tech wire wheel or buffer. Just chuck the app. tool in place and go to work.
3)If you have a hold of but that cannot be reached with a box wrench nor fingers, a dab of grease at the end of a screwdriver will hold the nut in place and will be plenty small enough to get down in there.
4) Invest in a unibit (drill bit that's been tapered to extend the whole the deeper it goes). Works greet on sheet metals and will leave a smoother surface in less time.
5)To locate a ticking noise that you just can't seem to pinpoint, a piece of garden hose 24 inches long works great as a cheap stethoscope.
6) To monitor your wheel bearings, wire the car/truck up above the ground about 2-3 inches with just enough wheel clearence. At the top of the wheel; push and pull
If no movement ; bearings are good
if little movement; possible loose bolts/ possible bearing going bad
if too much movement; replace ASAP.
7) An antique style ammo box make the perfect bolt/nut/fastener holder with so man compartments that can be used to stay orginized.
8)Wraping electrical tape around a drill at a premeasured length maks an easy depth gauge point to stop the drill.
9) (header/turbo mani only) Low on power? To check if a cylinder isn't firing grab a spray bottle and mist some water near block on all header tubes and see which pipe isn't evaporating the misted water.
10) Using Q-tips to clean small detail part will save your finger nails and fingers some pain.
11) Never over oil reusable oil filters, too much oil can cause sensor to creat false reading or no readings. Oils can also be sucked into the motor.
12) When working with small parts, throw a sheet or blanket over your work area before hand. Leaving the sheet loose keep loose bolts and small gadgets from rolling away too far or getting lost.
13) Di-electric grease. There's a reason it was made. Use a dab of it on any light bulb socket to keep corrosion from making you buy another socket and bulb. Also works great on fuses.
14) Using a piece of pipe will always allow you to create more leverage. This will add a little bit of oomph to help break the bolt lose, or tighten the wheels up nicely.
15) Spilled fluids are best cleaned up with regular kitty litter. Kitty litter does not have as much dust and residue that stays behind even after it's been swept up!
16) When taking something apart; keep zip-lock bags handy with a permanent market to keep things orginized and keeps you from getting confused.
17) Old tooth brushes make great cleaning tools for those small areas.
18) Invest in a magnetic dish.
19) The leading cause of mal-functioning fuel pumps:
"overting due to low levels. today's pumps are actually cooled by the fuel and when the tank gets too low, the pump is exposed and gets hot. the pump actually starves momentarily as you stop, go, and corner, which only adds to the problem. don't wait for the light to refuel!!!"
20) When tapping holes on anything; rememeber....1/2 of a turn forward, but a 1/4 turn back. This will help clear the tap of debri that might keep it from cutting right, wich in turn will cause it to bind and brake.
21) Working with fiberglass? Use baby powder to keep the fiberglass from sticking to you.
22) Using a standard wrench to turn a metric bolt? Use the loose change in your pocket to decrease the gap between the bolt and wrench!
23) If your oil filter wrench is too big for the filter, use tape to decrease the cap and create a better grip.
24) Using tape or paint; mark the side of a 4-way lug wrench save a quick second.
25) Invest in a cheap engraver to keep any confusion from "sticky hands". Childish somewhat but have your name on your tools!
26) Used oil or gear lube bottles make great funnels.
27) Using an old serpentine belt or v-belt with a pair of grips will work great as a strapwrench.
28) Working with a driveshaft? Put a sock on the ends to keep fluids from excaping!
29) Major brand name tools have less clearence then a standard "jocky-lot" or cheap made tools. So remember this when dishing out 20 bucks for a 150pcs set of tools.
30)Any good batteries laying around? Keeping a bettery charged every 6-8 weeks will keep the battery from dying down.
31) When working in a tight spot with wrenches, tie a bit of string around your wrist and around the wrench to prevent the wrench from falling between the crack.
32) Plastic milk creates will keep your garage from getting any dirtier.
33) At your next oil change
(if no leak is found on your car, if you do have a leak and use synthetic, you will find that it will leak much quicker then before)
go ahead and dish out the extra bucks for the synthetic oil. Better lubed motor will create more ponies and longer life.
34) Old fleece sweaters are best for cleaning those surface you dont' want scratched.
35) When mounting a transmission. Use the appro. size threaded to mount up to the block; make sure it's pretty lengthy. The slide the tranny onto the threaded rods leading it to the block. Will make installation much easier.
36) Got new cap and rotor buck car still runs like junk? Cheaply made cap and rotors have aluminum inserts that will corrode many times quicker than ones of brass.
37) Tape can also be used on that wrench that's just a little bit too big for the nut or bolt.
38) Old sheets of carpet and large piece of cardboard are ideal for working under a car without getting too dirty.
39) Invest in a digital camera. Putting something together can be a pain in the A** if you don't remember how everything went. A few quick pics will be good enough to help.
40) Listerine works best on getting the smell of gasoline off your hands.
41) Brake cleaner and nail polish remover make great parts cleaner.
42) For best results using tire shine; allow up to 30 minutes to sit. Wipe off the excess.
43) Using white lithium grease or brake grease will lessen the squealin and noise making on the brakes.
44) Soaking rusted parts in vinegar for a day or too will break the parts loose of the rust. It will also clean them and leave them paint free!
45) Don't having something to catch those fluids? cookie sheets with a piece of cardboard or kitty litter in it will keep the fluids from going everywhere.
46) Vasoline on the better posts will keep your battery terminals from corroding and will keep them insulated during the winter months and dry durring the spring/summer season.
47) Didn't use the last tip on time? Use baking soda and water to clean terminal ends to be like new!
48) Nylon gloves work best when working with hazardous chemicals as compared to latex. Latex does not completely protect the skin.
49) Running a standard screwdriver against a magnet will create a magnetized screwdriver to get that hard to reach nut that fell.
50) Mix-matching tires can lead to a disaster due to different compounds and tread designs.
51) Use common chalk rubbed across your file to keep sticky metals like aluminum from sticking to your file!
52) Rain X works great on both in and out of a vehicles windows, but also helps preserve the window seals to keep the leaks away.
53) Find a screw in your tire? But patient and pull it out when the tire is low or dissinflated completely. This will keep it from blasting out and hurting someone.
54) When installing headers; do not use the given paper gaskets. Dish out the extra bucks for the multi-layer steel gaskets or copper gaskets to keep leaks away.
Finally done. If anyone else has any little tips or anything that make the job easier; feel free to share with the rest! :dancingco
