Damage Control: Removing Problem Plugs on Ford Modular Engines
Ford recognized a plug removal problem on some of its 4.6L 3v, 5.4L 3V and 6.8L 3V engines and issued a tech bulletin — TSB 08-7-6 — to address the problems. This article supersedes TSB 08-1-9. Ford’s Modular engine, used in various Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products during the mid- to late-2000’s, has been known to give techs a hard
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,
General Guidelines for Adjusting Brass and Nitrophyl Floats
The two methods of adjustment are internal (dry) setting and the external (wet) setting. The internal float adjustment is accomplished with the fuel bowl off the carburetor. With “internally adjustable” needle and seats, the fuel bowl is inverted and the float tang, or tab, is adjusted to the point where the float surface is parallel
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
Tips For Selecting a Carbureted Intake Manifold
Performance intake manifold manufacturers offer several different options to get air and fuel from carb to heads. The secret is choosing the right intake manifold for your specific application using these three easy steps: Dual-Plane, Single-Plane or Others Carbureted intake manifolds come in a variety of styles: dual-plane, single-plane, air-gap, tunnel ram and others. Choosing
Super Comp Drag Racing
There are no rules for engine size, but engine builders should look to build for consistency in this class What does it take to build a winning engine for Super Comp drag racing? The Super Comp drag racing class runs on a 8.90 time limit, with essentially no rules regarding engine displacement, carburetion or type
Parts Making With Your CNC
Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machining allows engine builders to achieve almost unbelievable levels of accuracy and consistency. The programmability of a digital computer not only automates the operation of the equipment but also provides a level of repeatability that can’t be matched by manual equipment. That’s why CNC has been the backbone of virtually all
How a Legend Got His Start
Last March, when Ed “Isky” Iskenderian picked up the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Hot Rod & Restoration Show in Indianapolis, he talked about the automobile engine business in the early years. The Iskenderians were Armenians who fled Turkey and came to America around 1910, settling in Northern California’s wine country.
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,
Tuning In To The EFI Market
There are many variables that need to be calculated and calibrated when it comes to electronic fuel injection (EFI), but simple fuel flow is just the beginning. EFI goes far beyond a replacement for a carburetor, and the electronic part of the equation is where these systems seem so complicated. Many EFI systems give you
The Raptor Takes Flight
In an age when kids would rather hot rod their computers than their cars, it’s kind of amazing that old fashioned hot rodding still exists – even thrives in today’s society. While computers certainly have their place, the younger generation is still looking for entertainment and thrills – whether captured in HD?or in real life.
Engine Dimensions for Popular Swaps
There are several engine swap kits forputting non-stock engines into popular body styles, such as big blocks, into 1955-’57 Chevys or small blocks into Jeep CJs, for example. The kits usually include things like motor mounts and headers designed to provide clearance of the vehicle frame, steering shafts, and the like. Since there’s more to
Q&A With Dirt Late Model Engine Builders
Fact: There are more than 700 dirt tracks in this country and a vast number of them have some type of a Dirt Late Model (DLM) series. Some even have multiple DLM classes. In addition, there are dozens of traveling series headed by the top-gun Lucas and World of Outlaw groups. They support a
HPBG: The Power of Racing Fuels
An engine’s power potential depends on how much air it breathes and the fuel it burns. Engine modifications such as larger bores and longer strokes add displacement, which increase airflow and power. Bigger valves, CNC ported heads and a hotter camshaft with increased lift and duration also increase airflow for more power as engine rpms
Holley EFI Selected as Standard Equipment on 2013 COPO Camaro
Holley recently announced that its HP EFI engine control unit (ECU) will come as standard equipment on all of Chevrolet Performance’s COPO Camaro factory-built race cars in 2013. This is the third Holley brand product to make it onto the COPO Camaro, according to the company. Holley’s Hi-Ram intake manifold was standard equipment on all
Automotive-Powered Inboard Hydroplanes
They’re fast, have power aplenty, can turn on a dime, and throw a huge column of water behind them. They’re called Inboard Hydroplanes and are one of the most exciting motorsports shows on water with their automotive powerplants. The Inboard Hydroplane The looks of these boats spell speed with fighter aircraft aerodynamics on both the
Nitrous
A nitrous engine can be built as a stock rebuild or it can be a dedicated effort to maximize the total performance package. As more power is generated, more waste heat, exhaust air flow and combustion pressures push the limits of engine strength. Often more beef is needed in the drive train and tires. The
Camshaft Selection
When it comes to racing, sometimes the belief is that only custom-designed parts are good enough for a winning team. The question here is, do off-the-shelf components automatically have a performance handicap? In order to get to the bottom of the “Custom Grinds vs Catalog Specs” debate Engine Builder magazine reached out to experts at
Building A Top Class 565 Engine
What does it take to put a top-notch Sportsman drag racing engine in the winner’s bracket? Obviously, parts selection, assembly expertise and a talented driver are key. Over the years, Engine Builder has been an advocate of mastering the first two – the last one is always a gamble. But in some cases for that
GM Unveils All-New 450 hp Small Block LT1 V8 for 2014 Corvette
The new Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timingto support an advanced combustion system. “Our objective for the development of the all-new LT1 was to raise the bar for performance car engines,” said