Valve Lifter Basics and Beyond
Valve lifters play a key role in the valvetrain of pushrod engines. They go all the way back to the earliest days of the internal combustion engine. The earliest engines did not have pushrods or rocker arms. They were a “flathead” design with the valves in the block. The lifters (also called “tappets” because of the clattering noise they produced) rode on the cam lobes in the block and actuated the valves directly.
Superchargers Online Becomes First Eaton Authorized Service Center
This new designation allows Superchargers Online to offer repair and rebuild services utilizing EATON factory parts for OEM and aftermarket EATON-based hybrid-roots superchargers.
Permatex Industrial Strength Cleaner & Degreaser
Permatex has just launched a new and very powerful parts cleaner and degreaser that features an advanced biodegradable formulation. Permatex Industrial Strength Cleaner & Degreaser, P/N 12546, incorporates new innovative Carbon-Cutting Technology that completely removes tough carbon, oil, and grease without the need for petroleum solvents, abrasives, or acids.
Shop Solutions – May 2017 Edition
I call this my “Easy Riser” for Harley cylinders. It is a 2.5L GM block that I have bored to two different sizes to accommodate different cylinder bottom sizes. I use bolts installed into head bolt locations to prevent rotation of the cylinders. I only hone cylinders on this, boring is still done on parallels. This is way easier than horizontal honing on a Sunnen rod hone with a cylinder hone adapter.
Pistons and Rings – The Technical Price for Horsepower
Pistons and piston rings have been a hot topic of discussion among engine builders. At some point in our past, it seems as though there have been some piston shape and design changes along with some applied thermal and friction coatings – the same can also be said for piston rings. Piston rings seem to have become smaller with different shapes, finishes and coatings.
Valves and Valve Seats – There’s More than Meets the Eye
The valves and seats in an internal combustion engine play a central role in engine breathing, compression, performance and longevity. It doesn’t matter if an engine has two, three, four or even five valves per cylinder or if the engine is gas or diesel because the valves all do the same thing: they open and close to allow air into the cylinders and exhaust to exit the cylinders.
At the Top of the RPM Range
Craig Haslem first got into the engine building industry while working at a NAPA store in Berea, OH. He worked as a counterman in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s until he was asked to work in the machine shop at the location. After just a week, the guy who brought him into the machine
Building A Ford 460 Stroker
Any automotive enthusiast would agree that the quest for more power is the true addiction. From simple bolt-ons to hardcore internals such as different bore and stroke combinations tend to fuel our burning desire. Every enthusiast seems to have a passion for a particular brand of manufacturer. Take for instance the Flathead Ford V8 engine.
Timing Chains, Gear Sets and Belt Drives
The short answer to which type of cam drive is best depends on the application, what your customer wants and how much they can afford to spend. A stock link style timing chain is fine for everyday driving and normal use. “Silent tooth” link chains are quiet, long-lived and adequate for stock cams and valve
Blast Off – What’s New in Blast Media and Machines
In this industry, it’s often cheaper to remanufacture or rebuild an engine than it is to make a new one. However, doing so requires cleaning worn and dirty parts. In addition, customers these days are increasingly asking for cleaner parts and engines. How are you supposed to get tough grease, oil, rust, paint, carbon build-up,
A Tale of Two Markets – Dealing with the Times
A couple of months ago, I approached this industry’s parts sales problem through some statistics. Now I’d like to look at things from another angle, or maybe two. I don’t think there is one reader who would argue that engine parts sales today are much different than they were even 10 years ago. Though it doesn’t
ARMEX (Episode 1) – PRI 2016
Brian Waple of ARMEX talks about the advantages of using baking soda for dry blast cleaning and non-destructive cleaning on engine parts.
At the Top of the RPM Range
RPM Engine and Machine is off to a quick start
Building a Ford 460 Stroker
Every enthusiast seems to have a passion for a particular brand of manufacturer.
Reusing, Reclaiming, Remanufacturing
No matter what kind of engine builder or remanufacturer you may be or what applications you build for, at some point in time you’re going to run into a situation where a used engine part or component will come in handy.
Shop Solutions May 2016
One of the most difficult heads to pressure test is the BMW DOHC 6 cylinder. It is nearly impossible to plug the water outlet on the side of the head, until now. A “T handle drain plug” from a boat is the perfect size, and easy to install and remove.
Valves and Seats
The valves and seats in an internal combustion engine play a central role in engine breathing, compression, performance and longevity. It doesn’t matter if an engine has two, three, four or even five valves per cylinder or if the engine is gas or diesel because the valves all do the same thing: they open and close to allow air into the cylinders and exhaust to exit the cylinders.
Pistons and Rings – The Technical Price for Horsepower
One of the most overlooked components of the internal combustion engine is the piston ring. It is, by scale, one of the hardest working components in the engine. And when you are building an engine, before choosing your piston rings you have to determine your application.
Solvent Kleene D-Zolve 339
D-Zolve 339 from Solvent Kleene, Inc. is an industrial grade carbon dissolver that removes carbon and burnt on oil deposits produced by engine combustion. Parts can either be placed in an immersion tank at room temperature, or it can be applied to a surface via spray.
Oiling Systems for Grassroots Racing
Priority one when choosing an oiling system for any type of racing (grassroots or professional) is to establish what the rules allow and prohibit. Somebody has to read the rule book. Whether that’s you or your customer it doesn’t matter. The oiling system has to fit within the framework of the rule book. Period.
