Engine Bearing Technology – The Spin on Spun Bearings
One of the worst failures that can occur inside an engine is a spun bearing. It can happen in a stock engine, race engine, gasoline engine or diesel engine. A spun bearing is bad news because it usually seizes itself around the crankshaft journal. What happens next depends on the bearing’s location.
Two Years In, Ilmor Continues ARCA Dominance
The 100th Ilmor engine just came off the production line, and in the two full years since the first one debuted, the engine remains undefeated – 40 races, 40 wins.
High-Tech Tightening
When you build your engines, you put measured thought into every component you use. From the intake system to the exhaust manifold, everything has its place and nothing is installed without careful consideration. But what about the fasteners? Some of the most critical components are held together with relatively low-cost fasteners including screws, nuts and bolts and studs.
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.
Fastener Intricacies
At first blush, using fasteners properly seems like a straightforward task: tighten them to spec and all is well. But in reality, there are many nuances in the selection and application of fasteners that can make the difference between a well-built engine and a candidate for self-destruction.
Roush Yates Engines Installs its Third Rottler CNC Machine
Roush Yates continues to push the boundaries of innovation in its manufacturing process by partnering with Rottler Manufacturing. Roush Yates is now partnering with Rottler and utilizing two H75A honing machines for block honing and a F69A for block machining.
Lining Up Sleeve and Liner Work
Whether their purpose is going to be repairing an OE application or to go all out in the restructuring of the engine block, liners and sleeves have to be able to perform a number of tasks. Here are some tips to help you with their installation:
Five Points to Ponder Prior to PRI
Being an FE Ford fan, and having raced them, and still owning several, “Animal” Jim enjoyed Engine Builder’s article about FE Fords in the April Issue. Jim has been in love with FE’s since his brand new ’63 R code he had when he was 22. In this article he share’s five points prior to the 2014 PRI show.
Must Have Shop Tools & Measuring Equipment
You can’t do quality work in an automotive machine shop if you don’t have the right tools and measuring equipment. “Must have” tools and equipment include those that are necessary for engine disassembly, for inspecting and measuring engine components, and for engine assembly.
The Evolution of Surface Treatments
In the never ending quest for better performance, durability and reliability, various types of surface coatings and treatments have evolved as solutions for problems that have vexed engine builders for years. Coatings that were once considered exotic race-only solutions are now being used on a wide variety of stock and performance applications. If you’re not
Cracking Down on Block Fillers
In earlier articles, I mentioned filling dedicated, drag racing iron blocks to keep cylinders round and keep them from cracking. Many drag racers still practice that modification. Today, racers have the luxury of a low-cost block filler called Hard Blok, provided by Joel Bayless. Back in my early Pro Stock days, when I was racing
Cutting Tools and Abrasives for Engine Work
When it comes to machining late model engines, tolerances are generally much tighter and finishes often have to be much smoother to meet original equipment specifications. If you’re doing performance work, there’s even less margin for error. Consequently, you need up-to-date equipment and tooling that can hold close tolerances and deliver high quality finishes while
Cometic MLS Head Gaskets
MLS (Multi-Layer Steel) Head Gaskets provide maximum sealing performance for today’s high output engines and require no sealants. MLS gaskets are ideal for both aluminum heads to aluminum blocks and aluminum heads to cast iron blocks. They can withstand the shearing force created by the two materials. MLS gaskets have increased strength because they are
Learning To Race Pro Stock
My transition in 1975 from bracket racing a 122˝ wheelbase mid-eleven second, two-ton ’57 Mercury to racing in a low nine-second 99˝ wheelbase, Pinto Pro Stock car, was quite a jump. I was jaded with bracket racing and wanted to run heads up – all out with a door car. So, Pro Stock was it.
Racing “Spec” -tacle: Engine-Related Rule Book Changes for 2014
When it comes to racing, some say rules are meant to be broken (or bent). Names that come to mind here include the legendary Smokey Yunick, Darrell Waltrip and even NASCAR technical inspector Gary Nelson (from his days serving as a crew chief). Of course, other times, rules just so happen to get changed by organization
Blast From the Past: Learning to Race Pro Stock
My transition in 1975 from bracket racing a 122˝ wheelbase mid-eleven second, two-ton ’57 Mercury to racing in a low nine-second 99˝ wheelbase, Pinto Pro Stock car, was quite a jump. I was jaded with bracket racing and wanted to run heads up – all out with a door car. So, Pro Stock was it.
Scratching the Surface: Coatings and Treatments for Engine Components
When it comes to preserving performance parts, it’s the ‘Icing on the Cake’ Various kinds of coatings and surface treatments can be applied to engine parts like icing on the cake to improve durability, enhance scuff resistance and lubrication, control heat, boost thermal efficiency and reduce friction. No single coating or surface treatment can
Sassy Engines Builds Attitude
Knox family has success from drag racing to tractor pulling with Hemi engine power for 45 years Located in the quiet countryside of Weare, NH, is an engine shop that for over 30 years has been building some of the most powerful Hemi engines in the competitive world of truck and tractor pulling. Sassy Racing
Sleeves & Liners
I often hear customers ask about the difference between a sleeve and a liner. It’s an understandable question. Automotive guys call them sleeves and diesel guys call them liners. And while they may be used for similar purposes, the perception of what they do may be very different among different groups. Many automotive enthusiasts understand
Crack Detection and Correction
First off, let’s get one thing perfectly clear – there’s no such thing as “flawless.” Like those shocking tabloid photos of that Hollywood actress who gets blindsided beside a bistro, even the most conscientious engine builder sometimes has to deal with surprising surface imperfections. And just as she has paparazzi to expose the damage and