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Head Gasket Q & A

Cylinder head gasket design has become more sophisticated than in years past. The following FAQs on head gaskets may give you a better understanding of WHY you need to rebuild a particular engine. Can an overheating motor cause a head gasket ­failure? One reason head gaskets fail is because of engine overheating. If the engine

Shell Lubricants Showcases its Lubricants Technology and Business Values at Houston Grand Prix

Track Provides Ultimate Test Ground to Benefit Engine Builders, Race Enthusiasts, Consumers and Automakers Continuing a rich motorsports history, Shell Lubricants has proven again that its storied relationship with IndyCar translates learning from the track to real-world benefits on the road and beyond. Serving as the ultimate proving ground, education taken from the racetrack adds value to

Subaru Outback Head Gasket Repair

Head gasket failure has been something Subaru has struggled with to some extent since the 1980s. There are many thoughts as to why head gasket failure on Subaru has continued. As a shop owner who specializes in the repair of Japanese vehicles, I thought I’d share some tips on Subarus. Head gasket failure has been

Service Issues on Ford 4.6L SOHC & DOHC Engines

In 2005, Ford introduced a three-valve (3V) SOHC version of the 4.6L for the newly restyled retro-look Mustang. Major changes included the use of two intake valves and one exhaust valve per cylinder to increase air velocity, torque and power, variable cam timing and a weight-saving aluminum cylinder block. Ford’s overhead cam 4.6L V8 engine has been

A Look Into the GM 3.1L Engine

Over the years, GM has saved a bundle on manufacturing the 3.1L engine by using the production line tooling it originally developed for the 2.8L V6. By simply changing the bore diameter, the displacement of the same engine block could now be increased for more power and torque. The General Motors 3.1L V6 engine enjoyed a long

Oliver Racing Parts Moves to Larger MI Facility

Connecting rod maker to get updated machinery, more space in northern Michigan Oliver Racing Parts, manufacturers of high-performance connecting rods for motorsports applications, is moving its operations and manufacturing to a more modern facility in Charlevoix, MI. The relocation will take place in three phases and is expected to be complete by the first week

Will You Have a POP or a SODA?

Across the nation it seems we don’t always agree on what to call things. For example, when you order a soft drink to some it’s “pop.” To others it’s “soda.”   I know what you’re thinking – where is this going, and why am I thirsty all of a sudden? We’re going back to the

Cleaning Engine Blocks & Engine Cylinder Heads

Cleaning engine blocks and cylinder heads is just as important as the machining operations you will perform on the castings. You can’t do a thorough job of inspecting these parts if they are dirty, greasy or covered with paint or corrosion. Checking for cracks in cast iron heads and blocks requires a clean surface for

Oiling System Technology

Oil is the lifeblood of every engine. Any significant loss of oil pressure can destroy an engine in a split second so the oiling system must provide a constant supply of oil under all operating conditions.   With performance engines, keeping the engine lubed with a steady supply of oil can be a challenge because

Green Strategies: Cleaning Techniques & Equipment

It may seem that there’s nothing natural about cleaning an engine. Even after the couple of hours of cleaning time, the engine might be cleaner than the tech working on it – but the engine still needs cleaned (and so does the cleaning crew from time to time). We are long from the days of

The Crate Is Dead

Well, maybe not yet. But can you think of anything more boring than the same old 350 Chevy motor in every hot rod at the burger joint on a Friday night? I mean really? I was in a shop recently and commented about the Chrysler Hemi heads on the bench. The shop owner said, “Yeah,

Bearing Clearances

Is it better to build an engine with tighter bearing clearances and run it on low viscosity synthetic motor oil, or is it better to build an engine with more traditional or even looser bearing clearances and use heavier viscosity oil? Tight bearing clearances and relatively thin synthetic multi-viscosity motor oils work well in many

Matching Pistons And Rings

Whether you are rebuilding a high-mileage engine or building a fresh engine from scratch, matching the pistons and rings to each other and the application is essential for a successful outcome. Rings are a wear component that are usually replaced during a rebuild. The pistons may be reused if they are not damaged, cracked or

HPBG: Ed Pink Racing Engines

The staff of Engine Builder and a panel of industry professionals, including presenting sponsor Driven Racing Oil have selected Ed Pink Racing Engines of Van Nuys, CA, as their choice for the inaugural “Performance Engine Builder of the Year” award – and for good reason. With a body of work going back over 50 years,

Variable Valve Timing Systems

By the early 1990s, almost all import automotive manufacturers had a successful variable valve timing (VVT) system in production. These systems offered higher performance from smaller displacement engines at higher rpm. As these vehicles exceeded their new car warranties, technicians learned the ins and outs of these systems and how regular oil changes could increase

Crack Detection and Correction

First off, let’s get one thing perfectly clear – there’s no such thing as “flawless.” Like those shocking tabloid photos of that Hollywood actress who gets blindsided beside a bistro, even the most conscientious engine builder sometimes has to deal with surprising surface imperfections. And just as she has paparazzi to expose the damage and

Performance Piston Rings

When you’re building a performance engine, what kind of piston rings should you use? Rings run the gamut from cast iron to ductile iron to steel, with various dimensions, edge profiles and wear coatings. There are a lot of choices available and a lot of questions to answer. Some piston sets come with rings while

Common Rail Injection History: Less Conspiracy, More Efficiency

It seems as though when customers are at the shop, the question always arises as to what common-rail really means. Then after I explain the technology to them, the reply that I get is, “Why did they have to change everything and start using computers?” If you find yourself in a similar boat and have

Pneumatic Tool Innovations

Pneumatics is that section of technology that deals with the study and application of pressurized gass to affect mechancial motion. Or, said differently, pneumatic tools use compressed gas (usually air) to make them work. I would venture to guess that most, if not all, of you reading this use air tools frequently, or have used

Extending Valve Life

Most manufacturers of valvesoperate tech phone lines, and all have received that caller who opens the conversation by saying, "Your valve ruined my engine; when are you going to pay to fix it?"As much as the rebuilder or vehicle owner might like to lay blame it on the manufacturer for providing a bad product, it