Commentary Archives - Page 9 of 21 - Engine Builder Magazine
“Looney Gas…”

After revolutionizing the auto industry with his electric self-starter, Charles Kettering turned to another problem within the auto industry. Cadillac engineers were complaining that Kettering’s self-starter and battery ignition system were making spark plugs misfire, causing knocking in the cylinders.

The Other Machines in Your Shop

In the last couple of years we have discussed the various maintenance requirements for your big machines – surface grinders, crank grinders, cleaning machines, etc. Let’s not forget those other devices that play a pretty important part in your continued effort to build the best engines you and your employees can offer to your valued customers.

Is the End in Sight for the Internal Combustion Engine?

My wife has a weekly subscription to a London-based magazine called The Economist. The magazine has been around since 1843 and exists to take part in “a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress.”

Final Wrap: History Lesson

Retired engine builder and mechanical engineer Bill Hancock sent me a curious picture the other day, one that points out how far we’ve come – and, how we may not really know what we think we do about this industry.

Trying to Find the Future in My Crystal Ball-Micrometer

The Machine Shop Market Profile in the June issue of Engine Builder was a bit of an eye opener for me. I was not surprised by the fact that the biggest problem we have as an industry is finding good help in the form of qualified employees.

The Lost Art of Knurling Pistons Takes Skill – And Guts

Thanks to my late friend Pete Baldoni, a former NAPA store owner many years ago, I am the proud owner of a genuine Perfect Circle Piston Nurlizing  Machine (Note: Perfect Circle spelled knurl with an N). Pete gave me that PC machine years ago, after closing the machine shop part of his NAPA store.

Bragging Rights

My grandmother used to tell me, “It ain’t bragging if you can back it up.” In the competitive world of performance engine building, our readers prove every day how much they’re not bragging.

Our Future is in the Past

As a member of the Baby Boomer generation, like many of you reading this magazine, I often worry about the next generation coming along. What will happen to all of the vast knowledge we have acquired during our lifetime and will that knowledge get passed on to the next generation?

The Valve Refacer

Let’s talk about the valve refacer. I mean you all have one. Some of you have two. My question today, is what is the program in your shop to maintain that piece of equipment?

Titanium and Other Engine Friends

Titanium or Ti, is an element that has been around a while. An English clergyman interested in metals named Rev. William Gregor is credited with the discovery of it in 1781. The name titanium comes from the sons of the Earth Goddess in Greek mythology, also known as the Titans.

First Impressions: What Did I See When I Came To Visit?

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. I think most dads can relate to the idea of a first impression if you’ve ever had to meet a daughter’s new boyfriend. Moms can relate as well, but their expectations may be different. We can all remember when we were that boyfriend or bringing home that boyfriend and the impressions we made, which were not always that good. This may have had an impact on your relationship, and your happiness.

Leaving a Legacy One Lap at a Time

Bev Ringwald, the daughter of the late Graham Heath, is organizing an auction of her father’s collection of racing cars, parts and memorabilia in early June in Madison, IN.