Green Strategies: Using Less to Do More
There are several memes associated with “going green.” For some, an image of a person donning a tie-dye shirt while holding up a peace sign may come to mind. For shop owner Stan White, that person’s in clean business attire. “A nicely dressed woman comes to my shop with a smile on her face,” said
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
Future Alternative Fuels Could be a Gas
Alternative fuels such as E85 and biodiesel that were once considered fringe fuels are now mainstream. You can burn any mixture of gasoline and E85 in any vehicle that is Flex Fuel capable. As for biodiesel, blends ranging from B05 (5% biodiesel) to B100 (100% biodiesel) are being used in all kinds of diesel applications.
Manifold Matchmaker – Tips for Selecting the Right Manifold for Your Engine Build
Every engine needs some type of intake manifold to route air into the engine’s cylinders. With carbureted engines, the intake manifold has a wet plenum and runners because the manifold has to flow air and atomized fuel at the same time. Consequently, the manifold runners can’t turn or twist too sharply otherwise the heavier fuel
November Issue Engine Builder Shop Solutions
Jeep 3.8L Oil Pressure Problem Many late model 3.8L Jeep engines are losing oil pressure at the oil pump due to failure of the bypass valve. This results in destruction of not only the crankshaft, but the connecting rods. To fix the problem, you need to find the bypass valve inside the plastic timing cover.
Is Your Shop Ready to Handle More Diesels?
A new study of fuels and vehicles of the future predicts that diesel and gasoline will remain the predominant transportation fuels, and diesel cars could gain significant market share in the next 10 years. The growth of vehicles running on alternative fuels such as E85 and electricity will accelerate over the next decade, but diesel
Pursuing The Small Engine Market
Small engines are everywhere. They power lawn mowers, garden tillers, portable generators, all kinds of pumps, go-carts, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, forklifts, even refrigerated trailers on reefer trucks. Most of these engines are single-cylinder four-stroke air-cooled motors that range in power from 5 to 15 hp or more. Some have vertical crankshafts and some have horizontal
Valve Seats & Guides
Most engine builders worth their salt know that with the components and technology available today, it’s not that difficult of a task to make horsepower. With the availability of so many performance parts – whether it’s from the OEM or the aftermarket – engine builders can pull from vast resources to achieve a balance between
PSI Earns EPA & CARB Certification on 2.0L & 2.4L Engines
Cleantech enginesupplier Power Solutions International, Inc. (PSI) has earned US Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB)certification for two of its spark-ignited industrial engines,the 2.0-Liter and 2.4-Liter. Both engines meet theCARB/EPA standards for off-road, large spark-ignited (LSI)engines for mobile applications running on propane andnatural gas. Thecertified models will in turn help end-users reduce
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
Ford 460 Industrial Engine Considerations
However you wish to refer to the Ford 460, either as a Ford LSG875 orsimply as a 385 Series Ford, it was Ford’s largest V8 until it wasreplaced in 2000 by the Model WSG1068 6.8L V10 engine. TheFord 460 industrial engine was used in a variety of applicationsincluding wood chippers and tub grinders, co-generation systems,irrigation
Extending Valve Life
Most manufacturers of valvesoperate tech phone lines, and all have received that caller who opens the conversation by saying, "Your valve ruined my engine; when are you going to pay to fix it?"As much as the rebuilder or vehicle owner might like to lay blame it on the manufacturer for providing a bad product, it
Valve Seat Selection, Finishing & Materials
Over time, erosion and corrosion can eat away at the metal resulting in compression leaks, elevated valve temperatures and sometimes valve failure. If a valve seat insert doesn’t have the correct amount of interference fit in the cylinder head, it’s possible the seat may loosen up and fall out damaging the valve, head and piston.
Running To Stand Still: Natural Gas and Diesel Power Generation Markets
Turns out, many engine builders are experts at building for applications that don’t move as well. And there’s a wide-open market for power system units that either run an electrical generator or power another system such as an irrigation pump through a power take off (PTO) shaft. While there are a number of large, established
Can Diesel Performance Help Boost Your Business?
Most people associate diesel engines with truck and tractor pulling events, not traditional motorsports. There are no diesel-powered NASCAR races or Indy cars. But diesels are making inroads in other types of racing. Diesel-powered race cars and trucks are setting land speed records at Bonneville, winning endurance races at LeMans, and running over 200 mph
Selecting Valve Seats for Gas and Diesel Engines
Hard working diesel engines, performance engines, and engines that run on dry fuels such as propane or natural gas produce a lot of heat in the combustion chamber and often require valve seats that are harder and more heat-resistant. Stellite, chromium, cobalt, tungsten and nickel alloy valve seats are commonly used for such high heat
Diesel and Gasoline Exhaust: How to Help Protect Your Business and Your Employees
“Boss, I’m feeling kind of light headed.” Diesel and gasoline exhaust can be hazardous to employees working in automotive service businesses. And not just those working in the shop are at risk; office employees can also be exposed through poor ventilation systems. So what can you do to protect your business and employees from dangerous
The Agricultural [Engine] Market
This good news for farmers trickles down to other businesses involved in agriculture such as the implement dealers and manufacturers of farm equipment. While 2009 tractor sales are expected to be down about 20 percent, combine sales are expected to be up nearly that same amount. Used tractor sales are also seeing an increase of
Valve Seat Selection and Machining
When rebuilding a cylinder head for a stock automotive application, a performance engine, or a heavy-duty diesel, what kind of replacement seats should you use if the original valve seats need to be replaced? Should you install new seats that are the same as the original seats, or should you use a different type of
Performance Carburetors
Carburetors persist because they are relatively simple and inexpensive compared to electronic fuel injection (EFI). Most racers and hot rodders are familiar with carburetors and know something about how to install, tune and adjust a carburetor. They may not always do it right, but all they usually need is a screwdriver and a wrench. They