The Latest Improvements on Performance Cylinder Heads
Heads are a product line that warrant almost constant research. Both the OEMs and aftermarket are creating new applications that solve problems, save time or money and just generally make life easier for engine builders. But, these improvements are only beneficial if those builders know what is out there waiting to help them. So, we
Replacing Crankshafts, Connecting Rods and Bearings
The crankshaft, connecting rods and bearings are extremely important in every engine build, whether mild or wild, because they convert the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational torque. The longer the stroke, the greater the leverage effect and the greater the torque output of the engine. There are three things that need to be
Reflecting on the Go Kart Kraze
The year was 1956. Art Ingeles is a veteran Hot Rodder who spends his days working for the Kurtis Kraft Company. The Kurtis Kraft Company was a well-known fabrication company known for building midget cars, quarter midget cars, Bonneville Cars, USAC Championship Cars and Indy Cars. The company was founded by Frank Kurtis who built
June Shop Solutions
In Depth Deck Discussion I’ve found another use for a deck height bridge. When replacing seats on race cylinder heads, especially Big Block Chevys, I use a deck bridge with an indicator extension to first check where the valve was and should be. Then, when machining the seats, it’s an easy way to get all
Building Performance Cummins Engines
The clouds of black smoke along with the whistling of the turbo bring out a new wave of spectators. It’s all about the rumble and feel from the massive foot pounds of torque, not the horsepower. Who would have ever thought that a diesel engine would gain respect in the world of performance? Now, it’s
Engine Builder Shop Solutions May 2014
Plastic Fantastic For many years, bolt boots have been the primary way to protect the crankshaft journal from damage during piston installation. Some shop supply companies sell long steel tubes that serve as guides to help align the rod to the journal. These help align the rod, but can also damage the journal surface. For
Diesel Motorsports Grow in Popularity
DIESEL Motorsports began 13 years ago in Muncie, IN, where the first “diesel only” event was put together by a local TDR Club and two promoters. Organizers held the event because the drag strips at that time would not let diesel trucks run on their tracks. In fact, they still do not have diesel classes
Turbochargers: Small Engine Performance – Turbo Technology
Turbochargers are making a comeback, big time! Auto makers are under pressure from the government to boost their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) numbers to over 40 mpg by 2021. One of the ways they are going to accomplish this is to downsize engines and add turbochargers to boost performance so smaller engines can still
Diesel Engine Oil & Filters
Diesel engines have been around since the dawn of the automotive era. Over the years, diesels have become the engine of choice for powering heavy-duty trucks, buses, agricultural vehicles, off-road equipment, hard-working pickup trucks and stationary generators. More recently, diesels are competing against hybrid and plug-in electric powertrains as an alternative to gasoline engines in
Mopar Muscle is the Name of the Game
Ask any Mopar aficionado around the Midwest, “Who is the guy to go to if it has anything to do with a Hemi power plant?” And the answer which will probably be uttered is Tony DePillo and his Specialty Motorwerkes Company located in the Dayton, Ohio area. He does it all, from a speed shop owner, a
Engine Tuning Tips for EFI
In today’s high tech world of computerized everything, it can be a challenge for even some seasoned engine builders and tuners to get the hang of punching buttons on a keyboard in exchange for twisting a screwdriver. While nothing about actually tuning the engines has changed much in the past 100 years or so, our
Green Strategies: Recycled Engine Parts Save Profits
The list of reclaimed bare engine blocks on the Kenmonth Engine Company website (www.danamotorssac.com) is enough to warm the heart of any vintage vehicle collector. There’s an AMC 401-cid big-block for $800, five 1959 thru 1966 Buick “Nailheads” for $450 each, a 390 for a tail-finned ‘59 Caddy for $450, a 216-cid Chevy “Stovebolt 6”
