Caterpillar, Argonne Undertake Cooperative Virtual Engine Design
Internal combustion engines are poised for dramatic breakthroughs in improving efficiency with lower emissions, thanks in part to low-temperature combustion regimes. Such regimes show great efficiency and emissions potential, but they present optimization and control challenges that must be addressed before they enter the engine mainstream. Caterpillar Inc., in Peoria, IL, turned to U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne
The Latest Improvements on Performance Cylinder Heads
Heads are a product line that warrant almost constant research. Both the OEMs and aftermarket are creating new applications that solve problems, save time or money and just generally make life easier for engine builders. But, these improvements are only beneficial if those builders know what is out there waiting to help them. So, we
Early Registration Discount Extended for 25th Annual AETC
Created in order to establish a platform for engine technology information exchange, the AETC is the one conference that brings together engine builders, engineers, media members and more to network and learn from industry leaders. This is the can’t miss event of 2014, and it’s coming up fast. Early registration is nearly over, so make
Building Performance Cummins Engines
The clouds of black smoke along with the whistling of the turbo bring out a new wave of spectators. It’s all about the rumble and feel from the massive foot pounds of torque, not the horsepower. Who would have ever thought that a diesel engine would gain respect in the world of performance? Now, it’s
Engine Builder Shop Solutions May 2014
Plastic Fantastic For many years, bolt boots have been the primary way to protect the crankshaft journal from damage during piston installation. Some shop supply companies sell long steel tubes that serve as guides to help align the rod to the journal. These help align the rod, but can also damage the journal surface. For
Scott Biesanz Celebrates 35 Years of Goodson Tools & Supplies
June 2014 marks the 35th Anniversary of Scott Biesanz’ purchase of Goodson Tools & Supplies for Engine Builders. Biesanz has led the company since 1977 when Goodson Shop Supplies was a division of Winona Tool Manufacturing Co. The purchase of the company was finalized on June 4, 1979 and initially employed seven people. Today Goodson Tools
Turbochargers: Small Engine Performance – Turbo Technology
Turbochargers are making a comeback, big time! Auto makers are under pressure from the government to boost their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) numbers to over 40 mpg by 2021. One of the ways they are going to accomplish this is to downsize engines and add turbochargers to boost performance so smaller engines can still
Diesel Engine Oil & Filters
Diesel engines have been around since the dawn of the automotive era. Over the years, diesels have become the engine of choice for powering heavy-duty trucks, buses, agricultural vehicles, off-road equipment, hard-working pickup trucks and stationary generators. More recently, diesels are competing against hybrid and plug-in electric powertrains as an alternative to gasoline engines in
Beck/Arnley Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary
Having reached the milestone of their 100th year in business, Beck/Arnley has marked the historic event with a variety of celebrations and materials celebrating their first century. “We are very proud that Beck/Arnley still carries on the strong business traditions established by Irving Beck in 1914,” said Sandy Norris, director of marketing. “We have adapted
Lingenfelter’s Expansion Strategy Leads to New Facility
In keeping with its expansion strategy, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has opened a new, multi-purpose facility in Wixom, Mich., to keep pace with growing demand for the company’s performance products and services. The new 30,000 square-foot facility is an addition to Lingenfelter Performance Engineering’s (LPE) original engine and vehicle build operations located in Decatur, Ind. “Continual well-planned
Choosing the Right Rings
Choosing piston rings for a performance engine build is not as simple as it sounds. Your ring choices may be limited depending on the dimensions of the ring grooves that are available. The location of the wrist pin may also limit what you can do with rod length and stroke if you want to build
Two of a Kind – Dodge Bros. Celebrate 100 Years
Engine builders John and Horace Dodge started making automobiles in 1914 — 100 years ago. However, the Dodge brothers actually got into the automobile industry in 1900 and actually manufactured engines under contract to Henry Ford in 1900. Eventually, they built all of Ford’s mechanical parts. John and Horace were talented machinists who started at
7 Common Small Business Tax Misperceptions
One of the biggest hurdles you’ll face in running your own business is staying on top of your numerous obligations to federal, state and local tax agencies. Tax codes seem to be in a constant state of flux making the Internal Revenue Code barely understandable to most people. The old legal saying that “ignorance of
Choosing the ‘Right’ Oil
Every engine builder knows the importance of using not only high-quality motor oil in an engine, but also an oil that has the right additive package and viscosity for the application. This is especially important in performance applications where extremes of heat and pressure can push many ordinary motor oils to the brink. Motor oil
SCT Holdings Acquires Bully Dog
SCT Holdings (SCT), a software company focused on improving fuel efficiency and increasing performance in vehicles, announced the acquisition of Bully Dog, an automotive calibration solutions provider to the truck aftermarket. The combined company will offer customers with the most effective software solutions to optimize their vehicles’ performance across an unprecedented number of vehicle types. “Combining
Engine Builder Shop Solutions – January 2014
Replacement Head I.D. for Ford 6.0L Diesel Identifying a Ford 6.0L head by dowel size alone does not necessarily get you the correct replacement cylinder head. Ford/International have two casting numbers for their 6.0L head, the early 1843080C1 through C4 heads which all have 18mm dowel holes and use an 8mm mounting bolt for the rocker
History in the Making: 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
I enjoy history. And I’m guessing that those in the engine performance and rebuilding industry like you have an affinity toward history as well. It could be why many of you are in the business of bringing back to life engines that have accumulated miles of roadway travel on family vacations, or set records on
Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2014
Penton’s WardsAuto has named three diesels, a tiny 3-cylinder turbo and a battery-electric vehicle to its annual 2014 Ward’s 10 Best Engines, illustrating the importance of fuel economy as automakers develop and market advanced new powertrains. This is the 20th year for Ward’s 10 Best Engines, a competition created to recognize outstanding powertrain achievement, world-class technologies and those
Blower Drive Service Sold to Steven Yetzke’s Belt Drives Ltd.
Blower Drive Service (BDS), the Southern California manufacturer and distributor of superchargers and supercharger components for street driven vehicles, has been acquired by another Southern California company with ties to the industry, Belt Drives Limited (BDL). “I’m proud to announce that my company has come to an agreement with the Railsback family, who have owned BDS since its inception,
DENSO GK3-7 Iridium Saver Spark Plug for Natural Gas Engines
DENSO has announced its GK3-7 Iridium Saver Plug for natural gas engines. Available now, this plug features a 3-prong design to physically block rapid gas flow allowing the proper spark to be generated, which translates into improved efficiency and superior performance. Other DENSO technological advantages include: Monolithic Insulator Structure: DENSO uses this design to improve
