January, 2012 Archives - Engine Builder Magazine
HPBG: Becoming a Better Engine Builder at 22nd Annual AETC in Orlando

But if I were a professional engine builder, or even a highly competent amateur engine builder, one of the first things I would do is learn as much as possible from the smartest people in the business. While we at Engine Builder magazine provide countless articles on the subject and the business of running a

HPBG:Grassroots Engine Market – The Grass MAY Be Greener

Since most people who are involved in racing do not run in NASCAR Sprint Cup, IndyCar or NHRA Top Fuel, we think that it is fair to say anything below these high profile professional racing series is a large group of grassroots racers who support the industry through the dollars they spend, not the sponsorships

HPBG: Racing Piston Technology

Munro had a problem with melting his cast pistons so he kept trying to develop his own out of melted down GM pistons. Today’s piston makers use a little more modern techniques, but the principle is the same: try, test and improve. On the outside, pistons tend to look the same. They are round slugs

HPBG: Engine Builder Fuel Injection Maintenance

The fuel system of a modern computer-controlled fuel injected engine is so reliable that it seems to be almost maintenance free, but these modern fuel injected engines have injectors that become flow restricted or “dirty” with use. This means that if you expect the engine you build to perform like it should, the fuel injectors

HPBG: Don

In that discussion we hashed over the disparity in coefficients of expansion between cast iron and aluminum (that caused a revolution in head gaskets around the time of the Cadillac 4.1L). We discussed surface conditions and how that affects gaskets and scrub. We discussed gasket coatings and how they remain plastic while not scrubbing and

Understanding

The light turns green and the truck bellows out a plume of black smoke and in a flash all you see are the taillights. You’re struck that diesel trucks have really made an improvement over the past fifteen years. It’s amazing when you realize that a Corvette would have a hard time keeping up with

Protecting Your Customers’ Info: Understanding The ‘Safeguards Rule’

By now, most shops should have implemented their information security programs and taken steps to ensure compliance with the Safeguards Rule. If you have not, we recommend taking steps to get in compliance immediately. If you have, it’s still important to periodically review and assess your program to ensure you remain in compliance. History President

Valve Seat Selection, Finishing & Materials

Over time, erosion and corrosion can eat away at the metal resulting in compression leaks, elevated valve temperatures and sometimes valve failure. If a valve seat insert doesn’t have the correct amount of interference fit in the cylinder head, it’s possible the seat may loosen up and fall out damaging the valve, head and piston.

Making Dollars and Sense Cleaning Blocks, Heads

Unless you’re starting with all new parts, cleaning is as important to your engine build as disassembly, inspection, machining and reassembly. Without taking the cylinder heads and engine blocks down to bare metal, you can’t properly inspect the castings for cracks, wear and other defects. For something so important, proper cleaning technique is often misunderstood, overlooked

Cylinder Bores-Machining To Sleeving

  The function of a cylinder bore is fairly simple yet quite demanding. The bore is nothing more than a cylindrical void which contains the engine’s air/fuel mixture as it undergoes compression and combustion.   The walls of the cylinder have to be strong enough and rigid enough to withstand high combustion pressures and temperatures

Diesel Engine Glow Plugs: Not Just For Starting Anymore

Since diesel engines ignite by using the heat of combustion, they usually need help when the climate changes to the cold of winter. Veteran owners of “old school” diesel engines understand what I’m talking about when I mention the “one-minute of silence.” This was the time every morning when you would turn the ignition switch