Old Cars Never Die – Not If I Can Help It
I have not worked on everyday, common engines for years. Everyone who comes into my shop is a hobby-level special car enthusiast. I build all types of performance American brand engines. A huge part of my business has become building and rebuilding engines for classic cars, which it turns out, there is an adequate market for engine builders.
Growing Your Perfect Customer
The most powerful advertising tool you have is existing customers talking about your business to others. When THEY tell YOUR story, it can be a powerful motivational tool.
A Peek at the Small Bore Diesel Market
If I’ve learned one thing above all else since writing for this industry, it’s that there are always new opportunities. The trouble sometimes is just finding where those opportunities lie. One of these opportunities recently brought to my attention can be found in the small bore diesel market.
Hot Engines for Hot Wheels – the Reality of Building Engines for TV
If one of the most recognizable hosts of one of the most popular automotive-based reality TV shows came calling and asked you to build a blown big block to squeeze into a vintage collector car to help celebrate the history of an iconic toy, would you blink? For Jammie Wells, it’s just another day in the shop.
Damien Was All Wrong
From 1987 to 1990, Animal Jim’s 666-inch A/R Ford Hemi Boss that was called Damien, was all wrong for Jim’s purpose, which was running with a nitrous NOS Fogger power adder. In ‘90 and ‘91 Pro Modified, Damien was one of three engines that powered his Rick Jones Pro Mod Probe. Find out how Animal Jim made Damien work.
Wilmington Mile Engine Builders
In Bill Holder’s opinion, there’s no finer place to find unique engine builders than the long super-smooth runway at the former DHL facility at Wilmington, OH. This will be the third article in Engine Builder honoring these efforts.
Racing Engine Rule Issues for 2015
As a performance engine builder for customers driving in various racing associations, keeping up with rules changes from the numerous organizations can be a challenge. Josh Tennis, head technician at GPM Race Engines in Eagle Rock, MO, and one of Engine Builder magazine’s new advisory board members, said speaking from his experience, it’s up to the shop to investigate engine-related rule updates.
Headmaster Jagersberger – Converting Flatheads into OHV Engines
Joseph W. Jagersberger was a very early racing car driver who competed against Louis Chevrolet prior to the first Indianapolis 500-mile Race. He was also the manufacturer of early speed equipment and his RAJO heads became well known to Ford and Chevy lovers.
Picking a Racing Oil
How do racing oils differ from everyday motor oils? You might think all racing oils are synthetics, but they are not. Some use conventional mineral base oils, others use PAO and ester synthetics, and some are a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. It doesn’t really matter which way a racing oil is created as long as it meets the criteria for which it was designed.
The 392 Magnum V8 Build is a Wrap
The 392 Magnum engine build is a wrap. We’ve done all we can and now it’s going to power someone’s muscle car, hot rod or truck. When all is said-and-done the only things original in this 318 motor are a fully machined block, the cam thrust plate, the fuel pump eccentric and the bolt and washer holding on the harmonic balancer. Everything else is brand new.
Shop Solutions January 2015
When working with a ball-and-cup type pushrod from an application like a Ford or Chrysler product with adjustable shaft rockers, it is important to know the “effective” length when ordering custom length pushrods. In this case, the effective length is the length from the tip of the ball end to the bottom of the seat cup.
