10 Things Your Diesel Customer’s Oil is Trying to Tell You
Not only does oil lubricate as a means of controlling friction but also has to control contamination, temperature, corrosion, shock, wear, and pressure. Oil analysis is the only true way to put a set of “eyes” on the engine’s condition and the condition of the oil as to when it should be changed.
Engine Parts Cracks – How to Fix
One of the essential elements of engine building is making sure heads, blocks, main bearing caps, crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, cams, timing gears, rocker arms, and flywheels are free from cracks. If you’re doing a complete engine build, checking the intake and exhaust manifolds for cracks is also a good idea – and that includes
Reusing, Reclaiming, Remanufacturing – Whatever you call it, it’s how the industry recycles parts and components
No matter what kind of engine builder or remanufacturer you may be or what applications you build for, at some point in time you’re going to run into a situation where a used engine part or component will come in handy. You’ll reuse, reclaim or remanufacture it for your specific job. Whatever the reason may
A Diesel Blend – How T&A Performance Integrates Both Service Work and Aftermarket Upgrades into a 6.0L Power Stroke
It’s a given that engine builders often combine components in innovative and unusual ways. That goes for their shop operations in general. Tim Anderson of T&A Performance LLC in Sparks, NV, is a prime case in point. Shown here is the buildup of a 6.0L Power Stroke, modified not only to improve performance by more
Marine Performance Engine Building
This is the first installment of a three-part series on marine performance engine building. This series will look at this market from three different perspectives, the “meat and potatoes” refresh, turning big power into bigger power and then culminating with a look at the mega power that pushes 50-foot offshore endurance racers to over 200MPH.
Reusing, Reclaiming, Remanufacturing
No matter what kind of engine builder or remanufacturer you may be or what applications you build for, at some point in time you’re going to run into a situation where a used engine part or component will come in handy.
How to Find and Fix Cracks
Cracks are bad news because they never heal themselves. Once a crack starts, it always gets worse. Checking critical engine parts and castings is time well spent if it heads off a major problem that might result in a major engine issue or a warranty claim.
Fuel-Saving EcoTec3 Engine Builds on Chevy Small Block Legacy
The 2015 Silverado offers a trio of EcoTec3 engines with advanced fuel-saving technologies enabling customers to choose the performance and fuel efficiency that best meets their needs. Every EcoTec3 engine features advanced technologies such as direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management to provide power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions.
The Ford ‘FE’ – Rebuilding An American Iron Icon
Ford produced the FE series engines for almost 20 years and in this time period, this series of engine gained quite a following. After researching the FE, I was intrigued about its internal workings. I had always heard about and seen some of the more popular FE engines such as the 390, 427 and 428 but never had a chance to dive into one – until now.
Schumann’s Puts Wet Sump Oil Pump Program Up for Sale
Verne Schumann has been around racing since the mid-‘50s. He knows a thing or two about the industry and so does his business, Schumann’s Sales & Service, Inc., an engine parts supplier located in Blue Grass, IA, which Verne founded in 1970. Now, nearly 45 years later, Verne and his wife are beginning to ponder
Diesel Motorsports: Pulling in Profits or Just Blowing Smoke?
Let’s take a look at the diesel market’s history. A dozen years ago, when the first organized event was held for diesel pickups in Muncie, IN, there were a couple of hundred trucks. And most of were lucky to hit 500 to 600 horsepower. Fast-forward to today and you will find close to 40 diesel-only
PCV System: Sometimes Things Just Have To
I am certain that each and every one of you have, at some time in your life, experienced the horrific event of having the “wind” knocked out of you. If you can remember back to the first time it ever happened, before you knew that you would in fact breathe again, it was like you
Classic Muscle: Kammer & Kammer Make Mopar Magic
Most of the time, amateur racers are customers at the nationally known Kammer & Kammer Mopar High Performance Shop in Dayton, OH. Kammer says his business consists of about 65 percent racing and 35 percent street performance, and the most important thing he provides is a good relationship between himself and his customer. “When I
Heavy-Duty Diesel: Big Opportunity, Big Challenges
One of the most sought-after status symbols in America is a pickup truck with a Cummins, Duramax or Powerstroke engine. The expectation continues that diesel automotive engines will soon find their way in larger numbers to our shores. A rebounding economy should help get trucks moving again and recapture some lost maintenance dollars. First, what
MAHLE Clevite Inc. Introduces Phase II of its Launchpad Electronic Catalog
MAHLE Clevite Inc. announces the second phase of its electronic catalog Launchpad.Phase II introduces an all-new look for Launchpad and includes theaddition of search options for piston rings and filters, as well asadditional search options for light vehicle and heavy-duty applications. Launchpad is the first Web-based catalog of its kind to include anelectronic
Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) Head Gasket Installation Procedures for Chrysler 2.0L and 2.4L Engines
Note: This information applies to models with a 2.0L SOHC/DOHC (naturally aspirated) or 2.4L engine. Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets have been developed and released for use on the above models. The MLS gasket was released for production, as a running change, in the 1999 model year for all models except FJ. This new gasket
Head Gasket Leaks/Seepage Found in 1987-93 Jeep 4.0L Engines
MODELS: 1987-1992 (MJ) Comanche, (XJ) Cherokee, (YJ) Wrangler 1993 (ZJ) Grand Cherokee Some vehicles equipped with a 4.0L engine, may experience engine oil leaks/seepage from the head gasket along the right hand side (tappet rail) of the engine. A new cylinder head gasket is now available. The new gasket has beaded silicone sealer on both
SSSSSnake Bit!
In 1974, America watched 93 cars get destroyed in a 34-minute car chase. “Gone In 60 Seconds,” an independent film written, produced and directed by and starring Toby Halicki was an otherwise forgettable ’70s movie. The plot revolved around Mandrian Pace (Halicki) and his car thief cronies and 48 cars that they needed to steal
Take The War Out Of Warranty Claims
While it may have been an uncomfortable topic for some, I feel I succeeded with the previous column. Of course there are always those who dispute the need for personal responsibility. Since we live in a world full of handouts and government programs, why be responsible for yourself? I have a good friend who describes
Oil Pump Technology
Oil pressure is something every engine builder worries about. Low oil pressure or a loss of pressure can cause expensive warranty problems and catastrophic engine failures, neither of which is good for your business. Though the “bigger is better” mentality persists, most engines only need about 10 psi of oil pressure for every 1,000 rpm