Final Wrap: History Lesson
Retired engine builder and mechanical engineer Bill Hancock sent me a curious picture the other day, one that points out how far we’ve come – and, how we may not really know what we think we do about this industry.
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.
August 2017 Shop Solutions
At times I have had a main journal that just honed faster than the rest. Here’s my solution – maybe it will work for you as well. I cut some .001˝ shim stock and place it between the stone and journal and give it a few short strokes. The shim stock will stop the honing of that one journal and let the rest catch up.
Why Building a Working Website Will Make Your Business Work Better
It’s no secret that many of you thrive in business due to excellent, word-of-mouth referrals. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to build trust and a pool of steady customers. However, if you aren’t seeing people come through your door via word of mouth, or you want to increase business outside those repeat customers, a working website might be exactly what you need.
The Lost Art of Knurling Pistons Takes Skill – And Guts
Thanks to my late friend Pete Baldoni, a former NAPA store owner many years ago, I am the proud owner of a genuine Perfect Circle Piston Nurlizing Machine (Note: Perfect Circle spelled knurl with an N). Pete gave me that PC machine years ago, after closing the machine shop part of his NAPA store.
AACF Prepares To Aid Aftermarket Harvey Victims
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) is making preparations to aid aftermarket families affected by Hurricane Harvey.
EPWI Names Duane Zook New South Division General Manager
Engine and Performance Warehouse, Inc. (EPWI) has named Duane Zook as its new general manager for the South Division. He is succeeding John Clark who was with the company for 23 years and has decided to retire.
Hays Performance Drivetrain 3/4 Race Twister Torque Converters
Hays Performance Drivetrain has announced the release of the all-new Twister 3/4 Race Performance Torque Converter, the first in a series of performance torque converters ideal for street/strip applications.
FAST Gen 5 LT1 Spark Plug Wire Sets
New FAST FireWire spark plug wire sets make it easy for owners of Gen. 5 LT1-powered Camaros or Corvettes to upgrade their ignition in just five minutes. They have been custom engineered for perfect fitment and performance.
VP Racing Fuels New Line of Lubricants
VP Racing Fuels has brought its new line of lubricants to market. The new lubricants are being distributed via VP Regional Warehouses, VP Distributors and Performance Retailers such as Summit Racing Equipment, Motor-State Distributing and Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc.
Don Garlits Introduces 1,000+ HP HellScat 2017 Challenger Dream Giveaway
Don Garlits teamed up with Dream Giveaway Garage on behalf of New Beginning Children’s Homes to give away the world’s only HellScat and a matching, factory Hemi 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T away in the 2017 Challenger Dream Giveaway.
6.3L Stroker Power Stroke
The 6.0L Power Stroke engine is beloved by many, but its flaws can make it undesirable to some. However, J&K Engines specializes in Power Stroke engines and has been remanufacturing and stroking the 6.0L to a 6.3L to give the engine new life, better horsepower and torque, and fixed its flaws.
PurePower Technologies 6.0L Power Stroke Turbo
PurePower Technologies, a manufacturer of air and fuel management components for OEMs and the aftermarket, has launched the 6.0L Power Stroke turbo designed for the aftermarket.
Gasket Vet Jesse Jones Seals Deal With Cometic
Automotive aftermarket industry veteran Jesse Jones has joined Cometic Gasket, Inc., and will serve as the northeast Ohio-based organization’s Vice President of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Production Engine Remanufacturer (PER) Sales.
MSD Solid State Relay Block
Holley/MSD has announced the release of MSD’s Solid State Relay Block, which eliminates wiring headaches and cleans up any engine compartment, taking the place of four standard relays.
Edelbrock Fuel Pumps and Regulators
Edelbrock Fuel Pressure Regulators are machined from aircraft quality aluminum. These Edelbrock carbureted fuel pressure regulators have an internal diaphragm made of fluorosilicone to ensure high temperature protection resulting in an extended life.
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.
COMP Cams GM Sportsman Tool Steel Camshafts
Custom GM Sportsman Tool Steel Camshafts from COMP Cams feature core technology widely used in NASCAR, NHRA and other professional race engines for its high strength and profile flexibility. Special ST4 grade tool steel is available only from COMP Cams and 30 percent stronger than SAE 5150 or SAE 8620 options.
Driven Racing Oil BR20 Break-In Oil
Formulated for engines requiring low viscosity oils, Driven Racing Oil BR20 Conventional 5W-20 Break-In Oil offers unmatched protection for internal components. BR20 promotes proper surface mating during the critical break-in process and chemically assists with piston ring sealing.
Pontiac Museum Curates Pontiac Excitement
Pontiac Excitement! used to be a company slogan and Pontiac engines caused a lot of the hubbub. The first Pontiac in 1926 was called the Chief of the Sixes. It had a split-head six that was advertised as costing only pennies less a day than a four.
