1. Oil control valve
   Valve checking spring set
2. Rotary drum pump
   Oil pump unit

This tool is particularly useful when working on the valves of an engine. It helps to determine the right height for both the spring and the valve in their chambers. A micrometer is needed for exact measurements. As measurements will differ between cylinders, use the shortest measurement taken.

1. Wire terminal crimper
   Socket set
2. Tire inflator
   Rethreading set

A socket set serves much the same purpose as a wrench but here, you place the socket over the nut and use a socket wrench to tighten or loosen without having to remove and reset after every turn. Another advantage here is that it can be used to work on hard-to-reach nuts thanks to extender bars.

1. Puller set
   Piston ring installer
2. Screwdriver
   Piston ring squeezer

A good screwdriver set is never out of place in a workshop and a necessity when working on an engine of any kind. Make sure you have a range of different kinds from regular, to Philips to Robertson just to name a few. Short and long versions of each are handy, too.

1. Battery carrier
   Hook wrench
2. Two post lift
   Socket extension

A socket extension allows you to reach into difficult areas within the engine to loosen bolts or nuts. These are invaluable and help to save time because they are simply faster than using a wrench. And we all like convenience, right?

1. 13" spanner
   Brake spring plier
2. Engine stand
   Dial bore gauge

This tool is used specifically to measure the inside diameter of pipes, cylinders or other round objects. Bore gauges are calibrated to 0.001 inches or 0.0001 inches. Using them can be something of a tricky maneuver, but the measurement they provide is critical.

1. Drip pan
   Laser thermometer
2. Video scope
   Side cutter

Drip pans help keep the floor of your workshop clean. Engines are filled with various fluids and when taking them apart, these will drip onto the floor. A drip pan helps you to keep control of the mess. Be sure to obey local laws when disposing of the fluids the drip pan collects!

1. Digital caliper
   Hammer
2. Angle grinder
   Bearing adapter kit

A garage always has a range of hammers. But why would you need one when working on a vehicle? Well, there are a few reasons. For instance, a stubborn nut might be persuaded to turn thanks to a few taps from a hammer. And when you lock your keys in the car you could always ...

1. Cylinder wrench
   Long-nosed pliers
2. Vacuum pump
   Oil filter wrench

Many oil filters are turned into place by hand and then tightened using an oil filter wrench. These also help remove older filters that might have become stuck in place due to the heat of the engine or other reasons over time.

1. Scissor jack
   Angled flat nose plier
2. Torque wrench
   Airbag kit remover

A torque wrench is similar to a regular wrench except in the fact that it applies a precise torque to the fastener or bolt you are tightening. This prevents overtightening. The torque wrench was invented in 1918 by Conrad Bahr.

1. Flange type puller
   Ball joint remover
2. Engine timing tool set
   Pulley, hoist and lift

No self-respecting garage will be without a pulley, hoist and lift. Engines are heavy, and these three tools make it possible to not only remove them but replace them back into the chassis with minimal fuss.

1. Fuse
   Car jack
2. Jump starter box
   Air compressor

If you have a flat tire, a car jack will help lift the car high enough so you can take it off and replace it with a spare. That said, in a mechanic's workshop, these car jacks use hydraulics instead of manual labor to quickly raise a car. Never crawl underneath a car that's up on a jack!

1. Pneumatic oil extractor
   Nut splitter
2. Inspection LED light
   Crankshaft socket

While working on an engine, the crankshaft will need to be turned and adjusted many times. This socket does the job for you without any fear of damaging the crankshaft itself. This is all done when the harmonic balancer, or damper, is removed.

1. Front wheel bearing tool
   Electric impact wrench
2. Flange type puller
   Fuel line plier

Also known as an air gun, this uses electricity to spin and is the quickest way to attach or remove nuts. Be careful, though! It's very easy to over-tighten nuts, especially lug nuts, leaving a headache for the next person to try to remove them.

1. Fuel injection pump
   Brake fluid tester
2. Wheel nut remover
   Flashlight

A flashlight is crucial while working on the innards of a car, be it the engine, suspension or practically anywhere. And to keep your hands free, use a flashlight that straps to your head, or buy a shop light that has a hook you can use to hang it where you're working.

1. Strut coil spring compressor set
   Engine stand
2. Brake adjustment tool
   Hose pinching plier

Engines are heavy. When removed from a vehicle, they need somewhere to stand without the chance of falling and getting damaged. An engine stand will do the job perfectly.

1. Engine lubricant
   Brake fluid
2. Universal hub puller
   Magnetic pickup tool

A crucial part of keeping any engine running properly, a good garage setup will always have a few cans of engine lubricant nearby. It's handy when you need to get a little go-juice into a door hinge, for example.

1. Curved dolly
   Part washing containers
2. Combination spanner
   Brake piston separator

Engine parts, particularly on old engine rebuilds, need to be cleaned. The best way to do this is by simply soaking them and then cleaning them in a part washing container. This is not simply cosmetic, as getting off old grease and grime can reveal faults and improve the overall performance.

1. Screw extractor set
   Auto tire changer
2. Calipers
   Tire lever

A caliper is used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of a particular object. They have any number of uses when working on a car engine. A lot of successful mechanic work depends on precise measurements, so this tool is crucial.

1. Feeler gauges
   Exhaust spring clamp remover
2. Ignition lock remover
   Radio removal tool set

Feeler gauges are to measure gap widths, most notably in spark plugs. For example, too large a gap width means the spark plug will not fire properly and the car will run poorly.

1. Cordless drill
   Pry bar
2. Utility knife
   Socket adaptor

A utility knife is very, very sharp. The blade, however, can practically cut anything so it is very useful in a garage. Just keep out of reach of children, and wear gloves when working with one to protect your hands. Most utility knives use a standard razor blade, although you can get purpose-made blades also.

1. Bearing separator
   Jaw gear puller
2. Pliers
   Ball joint installer

Although you think you might never need pliers when working on an engine, you will be surprised the number of times you wish you had them if you didn't have them in your toolbox. Pliers which can be used to grip and twist are a must in any garage.

1. Swivel filter wrench
   Computer code reader
2. Spark plug hole threader
   Seal puller

All modern cars have computers that run pretty much everything in the vehicle. When something goes wrong with this computer, having one of these gadgets can not only help identify the problem more easily but can also fix it in many cases.

1. Phillips screwdriver
   File
2. Brake cleaner spray
   Multitool

A multi-tool is a great addition to any garage. Its versatility is in the fact that it can be carried easily off-site. When the correct tools are with you, however, always use them ahead of a multi-tool equivalent.

1. Wheel balancer
   Tire pressure gauge
2. Cleaning brushes
   Hollow punch set

A good set of cleaning brushes can be used throughout your workshop on a number of different things, including keeping an engine spic and span. They're also handy if you leave oily handprints on the body of the car while working around it.

1. Battery charger
   Pushrod length checking tool
2. Tire inflator
   Core torque tool

When rebuilding an engine, having the correct length pushrods is critical. This tool helps ensure that this happens. Best of all, they are relatively inexpensive.

1. Nut splitter
   Double suction cup
2. External coil spring compressor set
   Filter plier

A nut splitter is a great way to loosen nuts, screws or bolts that have become tricky to turn or loosen. It the nut still won't loosen, the splitter can be tightened until the nut breaks in half. Then you simply need to replace it.

1. Oil filter cup
   Injector socket set
2. Allen keys
   Flat nose pliers

Allen keys come in an array of sizes and are made to fit a small hexagonal-shaped head. Allen keys are sometimes called hex keys. Anyone who has put together furniture from IKEA has a drawer full of them!

1. Auto stethoscope
   Breaker bar
2. Hex wrench
   Car ramp

Very similar to the stethoscope a doctor would use, the auto version is used for listening deep within the engine. This can help to diagnose problems before they get too serious and can accurately locate the area where the problem sound is coming from.

1. Gloves
   Safety glasses
2. Steel-toe boots
   None of the above

Although they can be restrictive, gloves are a necessity in a workshop situation. Bear in mind there are different thicknesses available, so if you are doing fine work but still need protection, use a thinner pair. There are also gloves designed to be resistant to heat, corrosives, etc.

1. Car creeper
   Short-handle screwdriver
2. Drill bit
   Jack stand

Screwdrivers are very common tools and not only found in a mechanic's toolbox but in most homes. Standard screwdrivers have long handles and are a struggle to use in a confined space, like within an engine. That is why having a short-handled option is a great idea in any garage.

1. Degreaser
   WD40 spray
2. Protective gloves
   Hand cleaner

No self-respecting mechanic will be left without a decent hand cleaner. Working on cars will see grease and grime cover your hands as you delve into the engine. Hand cleaner not only can help get your hands clean, but it also helps penetrate under your nails to remove grime.

1. Digital control valve
   CV boot clamp installer
2. Zip ties
   Wheel spanner

Zip ties are a great way to keep pipes, wires and leads together. For example, keep the high tension leads between the sparkplugs and distributor cap neat and tidy by using zip ties to bind them together. You can also use them behind your garage TV to keep cords neat!

1. Auto stethoscope
   First aid kit
2. Hacksaw
   Side cutters

Working on a car can sometimes lead to injuries. These are normally in the form of cuts, either from tools or perhaps protruding parts in the engine bay. A first aid kit should always be found in every workshop to help sort out any small injuries.

1. Electrical tape
   Funnel
2. Ohm meter
   Autodata reader

An ohm meter measures electrical resistance. This can help tell if a circuit has a break in it or not. Every auto electrician will have one of these in their toolbox, that is for certain.

1. Rear disc brake piston tool
   Crescent wrench
2. Diesel injector socket set
   Dipstick

No self-respecting garage is going to attempt any engine work with a number of wrenches. Available in a number of sizes, these are the easiest way to tighten or loosen nuts. An adjustable wrench where you can set the size is also known as a crescent wrench.

1. Tap and die set
   Tension belt adjuster
2. Alignment tool set
   Torx bits

A tap and die set is necessary if you would like to create screw threads. This might be needed when overhauling an engine. This is some really old-school stuff, and you should count yourself a true gearhead if you know how to use it!

1. Bush extractor set
   Alternator tool set
2. Claw pickup tool
   Jumper pack/charger combo

Struggling with a flat battery? A jumper pack will get it started the first time and the charger will ensure that you get charge back into it so you won't need to jump it again. If this doesn't fix the problem, you probably have an alternator issue.

1. Turbo wrench
   Rubber hose cutter
2. Air operated grease pump
   Crankshaft turning socket

This is used for working on the crankshaft particularly and allows for the rotation of the crankshaft with the damper removed. It works with a normal ratchet. They're small, but they're not cheap, so make sure you've got a good place to keep yours!

1. Vise
   Pry bar
2. Brake bleeder
   Heat gun

A vise allows you to secure something you are working on and still have two hands free. Although it might not be used that often in a garage, it is something you should consider having, especially if you need to secure something that needs to be cut with a hacksaw, for instance.

1. Hammer
   Hand cleaner
2. Gear wrench
   Car creeper

Moving around underneath a car is never easy, especially if you are on your back. A creeper is essentially a board on wheels which allows you to move around more easily. Some can even be raised to act as a seat to add further comfort while you work.