Blast From the Past — Alcohol-Based Fuels From Automotives Early Years
In the 1930s, new engines were being designed that would compress the fuel/air charge, resulting in a higher compression ratio. However, the greater the compression, the greater the engine knock, which lead to changes in automotive fuels offered in those days. By Randy Rundle With all of the current controversy about alcohol being added to gasoline,
Survey Finds Diesel Exhaust Fluid’s (DEF) Impact on Fuel Economy a Top Concern
In an August 2013 online survey of the trucking industry, PEAK Commercial & Industrial, the makers of BlueDEF, found that the top concern of those surveyed was how DEF with SCR technology impact overall fuel economy. As Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) has become a mandatory commodity for all fleet managers running 2010 EPA-compliant engines, many still have
Cummins Builds Two-Millionth Ram Pickup Engine
On December 10, 2012, Cummins built its 2,000,000th pickup engine for Chrysler Group LLC at its Columbus MidRange Engine Plant (CMEP). Follow it down the assembly line in this video. The 2012 6.7L High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel powers the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty pickup trucks. It is also available in Ram 3500/4500/5500
Gems From ’49 Bell Catalog
Long before the Internet, there was a man with a vision – and a catalog When Roy Richter wrote, “Here it is”on the inside cover of his 1949 Bell Auto Parts Catalog, he probably didn’t realize what he started. He said it was, “the most comprehensive and up-to-date catalog of racing equipment.” Bell Auto Parts
Down the Road: Nissan Titan to Get New Cummins V8 Turbo Diesel
With a torque rating in the mid-500s (lb-ft) and more than 300 horsepower, the Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel will provide light truck customers the combination of towing capacity and mileage that is expected in the highly-competitive North American truck marketplace. At the kickoff of Nissan 360, an industry showcase of Nissan’s global product and
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: August 2013
Authors of Shop Solutions published in each issue of Engine Builder Magazine are awarded a prepaid $100 Visa gift card. Shop Solutions may also be submitted to [email protected]. A Better Way to Clean Oil Galleries I’ve always used the standard long handled nylon bristle brushes dipped in solvent to scrub the oil galleries in blocks,
MAHLE Clevite Kicks Off Third Annual Champion Technician Contest
Contest to reward one talented and forward-thinking engine technician or specialist with a VIP NASCAR-themed trip to Las Vegas. MAHLE Clevite Inc. recently announced the third annual MAHLE Clevite Champion Technician Contest, a contest designed to spotlight talented and forward-thinking engine technicians and specialists nationwide. By answering a series of five questions, one grand prize
Top Performance Engine Builder to be Named at AETC in Indy
Applications for the second annual Performance Engine Builder of the Year Award, presented by Engine Builder and Driven Racing Oil, are now being accepted at topperformanceshop.com. The winner will be announced at a special presentation during the 2013 Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC) in Indianapolis, December 8-11. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize, an
Front Timing Cover Oil Leak Reported on Toyota 1GR-FE Engine
Oil leaks have been reported on some 2003-2007 Toyota 4Runners and FJ Cruisers with the 1GR-FE engine. Some 2003 – 2007 model year 4Runner, FJ Cruiser vehicles with 1GR-FE engines may display evidence of a small oil leak located where the Bank 1 cylinder head, engine block, and timing cover meet. Use the following repair
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: July 2013
How to See Through Pistons for Clearance With the advent of longer stroke crankshafts, one inch plus lift camshafts, raised camshaft locations, lifter angles, bore spacing, etc., exact camshaft lobe and connecting rod clearance may not be able to be determined from looking up from the crankcase area of the block. To see through the
What You Need To Know About SBC Port Volumes
A 4-cycle engine is far from being a simple air pump. The principle reason turning apparent simplicity into real world complexity is the dynamic ‘stop – start’ nature of the flow through the engine and the fact that air is very much heavier than is often supposed. Rapidly changing rates of pressure and suction bring
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
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Not So Bad
I often hear comments from people about a strange and mysterious fluid called DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) that is used in some late-model diesel trucks. Many owners of these newer diesel-powered vehicles don’t know what DEF is or why they have a separate tank or even how often to add the stuff. And what exactly
Racing Oils
The latest API-certified SN and ILSAC GF-5 motor oils are fine for everyday driving in late model vehicles, but most off-the-shelf motor oils (even many synthetics) come up short in the anti-wear department in a racing application – especially if the engine is running a flat-tappet cam or a radical roller cam with a lot
Vintage Engine Goodies
There are probably a million ways to dress-up a classic show car’s engine. You can add colorful spark plug wires to any vintage motor. You can install Chevy Orange logo valve covers on any 1958-’86 slant edge small-block Chevy. You can get a universal-fit Airbox air cleaner with a blue HPR filter, for muscle cars
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
Built for Auction
The criteria for selecting Engine Builder magazine’s inaugural “Performance Engine Builder of the Year” included much more than the ability to put together race-winning engines. Things like community involvement and the support of training and education were part of the mix. To be sure, our 2012 award winner, Ed Pink Racing Engines of Van Nuys,
Chrysler 2.4L Cylinder Block Casting Identification
Chrysler replaced its old SOHC four cylinders with an all-new family of SOHC and DOHC engines in 1995. There were 2.0L SOHC and DOHC versions, along with a 2.4L DOHC that was installed in the FWD cars and minivans. Over the years, this engine has been used in several other applications including the PT Cruiser,
Use Simple 10-second Check to Avoid Three Common Valve-Lock Problems
By Fergus Ogilvy Assemble the valve locks on a valve and using your thumb and forefinger raise the retainer to its full height. If the assembly defies gravity and remains in place and doesn’t rock, the quality of the valve locking assembly is superior. If, however, the assembly falls apart, the valve-locking mechanism is deficient
How To Set Piston Ring Gaps Using Fileback Rings
In this video, Aussie Heads and Race Engines shows you why and how to blueprint compression ring gaps. More tips, tricks and trade secrets are revealed in this simply explained and highly technical tutorial. Company: Aussie Heads and Race Engines www.facebook.com/pages/Aussie-Heads-and-Race-Engines/112765995445479
