Going Faster in 1954
I have a large library in my office consisting of Hot Rod How-to books and annuals from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. During one of my recent review sessions I found a chapter introducing nitromethane and its use for drag racing. Keep in mind this is 1954 technology…
How Today’s Wake Surfing Craze Can Be Killing Marine Engines
According to some experts, wake surfing has become one of America’s hottest sports. For those of you who are actively involved in building engines for pavement or off-road racing, marine motors may seem to be either an obstacle or an opportunity – and you would be right in both cases.
Revved Up – Why the Import Engine Market is on the Rise
For numerous reasons in recent years people have been fixing engine issues rather than replacing engines altogether, making for a strong outlook in the import engine market. There are several ways you can break into this market or improve your stance here if you’re already an import engine builder.
AERA Announces 2016 Tech and Skills Conference Schedule
Through its annual series of Tech & Skills regional conferences, AERA, the Engine Builders Association, says engine builders can gain industry knowledge and network with other people without the traveling expense of going to a national trade show. AERA will again team up with regional hosts to offer educational and networking opportunities in different regions of the country.
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.
The Daily Grind
Today, seats are made of a wide variety of materials, different combinations of various alloys, powdered metals and other super hard materials. This seat material is designed to prolong the ability of the valve seat to seal against the pounding of the valve head during engine operation. The variety of materials also means new and different abrasives are required for proper machining.
There’s No Simple Formula to Choosing the Perfect Camshaft
The camshaft design affects valve timing, compression and the engine’s ability to breathe. From pistons to manifolds, valve grind, piston pin offset, rod length, etc. Once the camshaft has been tabbed correctly for the application, the rest of the build can focus off that selection.
Shop Solutions January 2016
Sometimes the front of Oldsmobile blocks get warn and chewed up by the camshaft flange. This is often caused by additional load from a high pressure or high volume oil pump, which makes the distributor work harder and pulls the cam back towards the block.
Update on EPA Proposal to Prohibit Race Car Conversions
Last week SEMA informed its members and the racing public of an important proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation aiming to make it illegal to convert street vehicles into cars used exclusively at the track. The proposed regulations have been met with overwhelming opposition.
BMW’s New V12 Engine
The 6,592cc M Performance TwinPower Turbo 12-cylinder engine develops an output of 600hp at 5,500rpm and generates its peak torque of 590 lb. ft. from as low down as 1,500rpm. This enables the car to accelerate from zero to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 155mph.
AMSOIL Reformulates European Car Formula 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil
AMSOIL European Car Formula 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil has been reformulated to further meet the lubrication needs of modern European gasoline and diesel cars and light trucks.
Following the Funks – Aircraft and Tractor Engines
Joe and Howard Funk were born just 30 minutes apart on September 17, 1910 in Akron, OH. Both brothers seemed to have a knack for all things mechanical, and both excelled in drafting and shop classes in school. The brothers took an immediate liking to flying machines, which were becoming quite popular in the Akron area during that time.
Spick-and-Span
As engine technology continues to evolve, so have the cleaning processes for removing dirt, grease, oil, hard carbon deposits, rust, scale, corrosion and discoloration from engine castings and components. Several factors make cleaning more challenging today.
PRI Machinery Row Recalls 50 Years of Tooling Advances
Visiting Machinery Row at the annual PRI Show in Indianapolis you’ll see some mind-blowing whirring, spinning and rotating as machines like the Centroid A560 with CAD/CAM control, touch screen operation and a 24-tool automatic tool changer machine race car engines.
Dark Days of Diesel?
Think about the diesel engine over the last 30 years. From a rattling bucket of bolts that often got a frown from people it’s become a highly sought-after engine among the younger high school generation. Who would ever have imagined that one?
Infiniti Creates its Most Advanced V6 Engine Yet
The new compact and lightweight 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 gasoline engine that Infiniti has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance.
Autologic Diagnostics and WORLDPAC Enter into Distribution Agreement
Autologic Diagnostics and WORLDPAC, Inc., have announced the two companies entered into a distribution agreement to bring the new Autologic Assist diagnostics support solution to WORLDPAC’S North American customers.
Purolator Launches Refreshed Website and Social Media Channels
Purolator has launched an updated website to further support a renewed quest for innovation and commitment to delivering advanced solutions for rapidly changing engine and oil technologies.
Wards 10 Best Engines for 2016
Now in its 22nd year, the Wards 10 Best Engines competition recognizes outstanding engines and electrified propulsion systems, as well as the technology and engineering behind them. Winners were announced Thursday, December 10.
Engine Bearings Under Pressure
Today’s hi-flow, aftermarket, CNC-ported cylinder heads, high lift killer cams and induction system power adders (blowers, turbos and nitrous) are making more power than ever before, and really hammering the bottom end of the engine. If the bearings can’t take it, the engine won’t last.
