Engine Sealing: High Performance Head Gaskets
One thing no engine builder wants to worry about is a head gasket failure, whether it is a NASCAR cup engine, a Pro Stock drag racing engine, a dirt track engine, a hot street engine or even a stock engine. Stock head gaskets hold up well enough under normal loads. But as compression ratios and
Data Acquisition Systems and Engine Controllers
Motorsports in general and Formula One in particular is the leading edge (or bleeding edge, depending on how you look at it) of development of these electronic systems. With carburetors looking more and more like dinosaurs compared to modern electronically controlled engine management systems, engine builders – especially those building performance engines – must become
Coretalk: R&R Engine & Machine Named 2006 ‘Machine Shop Of The Year’
“The Machine Shop of the Year Award is always presented to a shop that represents this industry with integrity and professionalism,” explained Kaufman. “For its innovation, its attention to customer satisfaction and nearly 40 years of businees in Akron, we’re pleased to present this award to Bryan and all the employees at R&R.” This is
University of NW OH Hosts Engine Builders During Technology Conference
More than 250 engine builders learned about the most recent developments in engine building and toured the University’s soon-to-be completed High Performance Technology Building. Seminar topics included: Cylinder Head Welding; Proper Piston Ring Filing; OHC Cylinder Head Disassembly; CNC Machining; Dynamometer Technology; Performance Engine Technology; Crack Detection; Honing for Performance; Cylinder Head Performance. “This was
Fast Lane: Old-Time Engines Can Bring In Very Modern Profits
Perhaps one of the most often overlooked markets for many shops is the collector car and restoration market, and within this I would also include antique trucks of all sizes, antique tractors and farm machinery and antique construction equipment and machinery. We discussed a few of these markets, such as muscle cars and antique tractor
Coretalk: IMCA Engine Claims Top 400 Through Late Season
A total of 402 claims were made through late September, including 149 in the Modified division, 113 in the Stock Car class and 136 in the Hobby Stocks. There were also two claims in the Sprint Car division and one each in the Northern SportMod and Jeff’s Performance Southern SportMod classes. Claims so far in
Common Technologies, Uncommon Fuels, New Challenges
There is a “shade tree law” from the 1970s that states that computing capacity doubles every few years. In fact, computing capacity for the size of the computer or device has outstripped that by several orders of magnitude in the last five years. As evidence of that, we now see cell phones that were only
Coretalk: Female Engine Builders, Hear Them Roar
Clevite Engine Parts has sponsored the Clevite Engine Builder Challenge Series since 1990 and has hosted the event at industry trade shows, conferences, race tracks and open house events for customers – but this was the first build to feature women only. Sandi Holder, of Holder Automotive Machine, and Becky Tardif, of Accurate Cylinderhead Service,
New Technology:Advances in Engine Building Equipment
How has racing changed your engine building business? No, it’s not a hypothetical, industry-generic question; in this case, it’s directed at every reader of this magazine. A strange question? It may seem to be. If you race – or build motors for racers – it’s probably an easy one to answer. But if you stay
Dirt Track Dollars In the Shop and On the Track With Malcuit Racing Engines
It’s sometimes said that racers have motor oil or high octane racing fuel in their blood. Fearless drivers are accused of having ice-water running through their veins. For Strasburg, OH’s Brad Malcuit, the most likely ingredient pumping through his bloodstream is dirt, a fact he’ll happily attribute to family heritage. Malcuit is owner of Malcuit’s
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,
Engine Balancing Traditional and Niche Market Opportunities, John Witt
Like many segments of the auto market, automotive machine shops have seen technology changes, changes in marketing/distribution channels (crate motors, for example) and the consolidation of shops. Staying competitive and profitable can be a daily challenge. The selection of services you offer and the direction in which you grow your business has never been more
393 Small Block Ford with Hemi Heads
Having had experience in engine dyno competitions before, Greg Brown felt confident in his abilities to compete at the inaugural Race Engine Challenge. He had left Jon Kaase, after 13 years in 2016, to start Hammerhead Performance Engines in Snellville, GA. Looking to win the Race Engine Challenge, Brown began building a small block Ford
Cylinder Head Porting; Turning Air Into Power
In general, the most critical areas when porting a cylinder head are those which pass the most air at the highest speed and for the longest duration.
Proving Yourself
Well, it’s 2018. If you’ve already made, broken and forgotten your New Years’ resolutions, let me welcome you to the club. This time of year, it’s easy to say we’re going to do something better, for our health, for our finances, for our business and, most of the time, we truly believe what we say. At least I do, for a while.
Fight Against ICE Bans Continue Amid New Emission Laws
The EPA has taken a small step in the right direction by providing automakers and specialty aftermarket businesses additional time to develop innovative solutions to reduce emissions.
Factors of Crankshaft Selection
From the high-performance powerplants propelling Top Fuel dragsters to the subdued engines found in family sedans and grocery getters, each crank must be tailored to, and appropriate for, its specific application.
SEMA Advocacy Delays EPA Tailpipe Emissions Reduction Requirements
After advocacy from small businesses across the country that represent the specialty automotive aftermarket and other key stakeholders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is delaying its most aggressive tailpipe emissions reduction requirements from model year 2027 to model year 2030. The EPA’s final rule also slightly increased the average tailpipe emissions for light-duty vehicles,
Paul Vasko’s LML Duramax-Powered Diesel Dragster
During our weekend at the 2023 Ultimate Callout Challenge, there were plenty of fun conversations, but speaking with drag racer Paul Vasko was definitely a highlight. His passion is contagious, and his diesel dragster is definitely badass, thanks in part to a turbocharged LML Duramax engine. It’s our Diesel of the Week brought to you
A New Year, A Fresh Start
Hey Engine Builder readers. I hope your 2024 is off to a nice start. What I love about the beginning of a new year is that everything is in front of you. There’s lots to look forward to. Although we’ve worked hard in the months prior to set editorial calendars, make plans for various pieces