Broad Spectrum of Speakers to Address Advanced Engineering Technology Conference
Hundreds of race engine builders will arrive early in Orlando the week of the Performance RacingIndustry Trade Show to attend the three-day Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC). It is the oldest and most respected race engine conference in the world, and will feature a broad spectrum of speakers this year. With more speakers yet to
Installing Rod Bolts on Steel Connecting Rods
Do not use metal stamps to number the connecting rods. Metal stamps may disturb the roundness of the rod bore. Paint toolmaker’s layout dye on the rod and cap instead, and then inscribe numbers. NEVER use bolts to draw the cap down on rod. Locate cap dowel sleeves into the counterbores of the rod. Then,
Torque Wrench Maintenance and Usage Tips
Guidelines are typically provided noting acceptable torque ranges, theorder in which specific fasteners are tightened and the number of timesa fastener must be tightened and loosened to ensure uniform torqueapplication. Failure to properly torque fasteners can lead toequipment damage, personal injury or worse. It is important to follow acceptable maintenance and use practices, such as:
Cylinder Block Prep Tips
First, you want to look for cracks on the water jacket area and in the lifter valley area. If the block has ever been frozen, this is where cracks will show up. Next, look for cracks around the main webs, these are hard to spot when the block is greasy, but we are just looking
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
Engine Building Measuring Tools
The French created a measurement system in 1790 called the metric system. While the U.S. has never managed to switch over to it completely, as we were supposed to in the latter half of the 20th century, most automotive techs are familiar with it today because of the fasteners and components on late model vehicles.
Engine Bearings and Crankshafts: Best Friends Forever (BFFs)
Bearings appear to be such simple engine components. On the surface, they’re just half-circles of metal whose only purpose is to reduce friction between and support moving parts. The engine bearing has to establish and maintain a film of oil between moving and stationary parts to prevent wear to expensive engine components. They look like
Head Gaskets 101: Part 1
In 1991, Ford introduced the 4.6L OHC V-8, commonly referred to as the Modular Ford V-8. It had, for its time, a revolutionary new head gasket design called MLS. Prior to that, most head gaskets were steel core designs with some sort of gasket paper attached to the core, so this was a big change
Cleaning Engine Parts: Can You? Should You?
Here’s the kicker – those shops who feel that proper cleaning is too difficult, too time consuming or too expensive are actually leaving money on table when it comes to their engine parts. “At one point in my career, cleaning seemed like it was really difficult,” says Dave Arce of Arce Enterprises, El Cajon, CA.
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: February 2012
The Perfect Pilot With the increasingly smaller valve stem diameters it is getting harder than ever to get an air-floated, self-centering, single point, multi-angle pilot aligned with the guide. Here is a pretty simple way of getting you almost dead-on every time and without bending or breaking your $80 to $100 solid carbide pilot.
Toyota V8 UZ Engine Timing Belt Issues
When I first started researching this article, I called and stopped by several shops that do work on Toyota vehicles. I asked if any of them had any V8 models coming in for timing belts so I could get some pictures of the process. Either a blank stare, or a question like: “What Toyota V8?”
Toyota V8?UZ Engine Timing Belt Issues
I asked if any of them had any V8 models coming in for timing belts so I could get some pictures of the process. Either a blank stare, or a question like: “What Toyota V8?” was the general response. The idea that there was a Toyota V8 needing a timing belt replacement seems to be
Identifying Six Common Fastener Failures
While few engine builders have access to sophisticated analysis equipment, a standard Bausch and Lomb three lens magnifying glass will generally show 98% of what you want to see. Several of the photos have been taken utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and are presented to simply illustrate typical grain configurations after failure, according to
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: 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
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: January 2012
Finding Better Ways to Clean Fasteners I work on all brands of American classic cars, and mostly rebuild their engines. Most of my clients desire the preservation of original parts as much as possible, especially exposed fasteners. Here are the ways I clean and detail head, pan, front cover, valve cover, intake and exhaust manifold
Subaru WRX Engine Mods & Dyno Testing
Balancing ultimate performance within legal parameters and practicality is what Z Sport (www.zsport.com) is all about. I spent several hours being shown their clean and well-equipped shop in Everett, WA. Manager Charles Damewood and Owner Gary Watts both were very helpful in explaining what it is that Z Sport does, and how their shop makes
Jasper, Sunnen Give Away Street Performance Engine For Charity
Sunnen Products and Jasper Engines and Transmissions have teamed up to produce a high performance engine that features a full complement of aftermarket parts. According to Ron Williams, SMTSE, Southeastern Regional Mgr. for Sunnen, the proceeds from the raffle all go to charity. One hundred percent of the money raised from the Rev It Up
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: October 2011
GM LS Engine Building Tips The GM “LS” engine format (GEN III and IV) is a replacement for the Chevy small block. For performance purposes it is no problem to obtain 500+ horsepower from just about any version of this engine. The following are some tips and suggestions we have found to make working on
Jasper, Sunnen Team Up For Charity Engine Build With
The “Rev-It-Up Raffle” will feature a Jasper Class II Performance engine, Chevy 350 cid, a great choice for performance oriented cars and trucks, street rods and restored muscle cars. The Sunnen IMIS team will be adding other components such as the carb, intake manifold, water pump, distributor, harmonic balancer, etc., from a diverse group of