Great Scott! Wichlacz Takes Over as AERA Chairman
Wichlacz Takes Over as AERA Chairman Scott Wichlacz’s story begins the way many rebuilders’ stories begin: a young boy tinkering with lawnmower and tractor engines, taking apart the component parts of mechanisms and putting them back together, always knowing that this would be his chosen career. One thing led to another, and Wichlacz moved on
Pushing Into High Performance Frontiers
Engine Technology is the Talk of the Town at SuperFlow
Keeping It Straight
Dialing in an Older Crankshaft Grinding Machine for Taper and Alignment Many machine shop owners who own crankshaft grinding machines have asked me why their machines do not grind true. The most common complaints regard taper in the grind and grinding out of round. However, most machine owners or operators don
Cams, Chains And Gears
Since the earliest days of the internal combustion engine, a crankshaft-driven camshaft has been used to operate the engine
Today’s Gasoline Additives Silent Killers Of GM Engines
Over the past several years, I have answered hundreds of questions about engines: "Why does my engine ping? detonate? have its valves stick in their guides? have badly worn exhaust valve seats? Run hot? Make less power than it used to?" The biggest problem engines face today is the fuel. It is unstable because of
Complying With Clean Air Laws Is Heavy-Duty Proposition
Heavy-duty engine rebuilders have a long and welcome nonhistory with Federal and state clean air agencies. At their inception, the major agencies
From Tame OE Block To High Performance Monster
The race engine is only as good as its weakest part. There are many ways to build a great high performance engine, but one key is essential: each and every part of that engine must work together to build the "best" power. In this case, "best" power means that the engine does exactly what the
First Issue Of Engine Builder
Welcome to the first issue of Engine Builder magazine. We hope you enjoy the new look as well as our emphasis on providing a closer view of all things engine related. In this issue we cover everything from emerging technology in valvetrain designs to the impact of the transformation of salvage yards on engine builders.
Engine Builder Letter: Automotive Rebuilder Will Be Changed To Engine Builder
When you look at the cover of your magazine next month, you will notice a new name there. AUTOMOTIVE REBUILDER will be changed to ENGINE BUILDER. Founded in l964, AUTOMOTIVE REBUILDER originally served the entire rebuilding industry including engines, parts and transmissions. And, it was primarily an automotive focused publication. Much has changed during the
OBD II Shop
Speaking From Personal Experience, OBD II Can Be A Headache For Engine Builders But before you have to pay for your mistakes, learn from the ones I made The main purpose of previous columns has been to discuss the effects of OBD II on engine rebuilding. But one question many of our readers keep asking
Heavy Duty Details
Old Days Are Gone; Now, Reconditioned Con Rods Must Meet Critical Specs Too much twist and bend will limit oil clearances and can cause engine damage I can remember in the old days how rods were reconditioned. We had a dry hone with limited mandrels. Rods were ground, assembled, torqued and dry-honed to final specs.
Little Engines, Big Money
For the rebuilding facility familiar with typical automotive or heavy-duty engines, the small displacement, four-cycle, air-cooled engine may seem insignificant. After all, these one-cylinder motors, which may produce just 5 hp, are found in lawn mowers, rototillers and kiddy go karts, for cryin’ out loud! Although the small four-cycle engines from Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh,