Performance Oiling Systems
The basic purpose of an oiling system is to provide lubrication for the engine. It doesn’t matter if the system is a wet sump with an internal oil pump mounted in the crankcase or front cover, or a dry sump system with an external multi-stage pump. The engine doesn’t know the difference as far as where the oil comes from – as long as the flow keeps coming at all RPMs and under all operating conditions.
Going Hohl School
During the 1950s and ‘60s, building and tuning a performance race engine was a different world from today. It was definitely more of a hands-on situation where the feel, sound and smell of an engine were important tools of early engine builders.
Greetings From Bonneville
This year an opportunity came to go to a gathering of speed freaks drawn together from around the world. An event that I’ve now learned is on most “Motorhead’s” bucket lists, and was put forth as the background for a great movie that hit limited screens in 2005 and is recorded on DVD in many of our video libraries. The movie was “The World’s Fastest Indian,” and the event is simply called “Bonneville.”
The Future of Engine Rebuilding
Changing topics from obsolete engines and parts to how these companies see the future of the industry, the conversation surrounded technology, sustainability, the environment and specialization. “Sustainability is the critical driver behind current trends in the passenger car industry,” Newman says. “Environmental concerns are thus the primary impetus behind the study of sustainable development and
Pro-Filer Performance Products, Inc.
Pro-Filer Performance Products, Inc. got started in the engine building industry after realizing the need for a high quality, aerospace grade, cylinder head and intake manifold in the high performance aftermarket industry. We began in a niche “big motor” drag racing market since those were the engines we were involved with at the time. After
Internal Affairs – Diesel Crankshafts and Rods
Despite having similar appearances, a diesel crankshaft has some primary differences from its gasoline counterparts. A gasoline engine uses a spark to ignite the fuel. A diesel engine, operating at a much higher compression ratio, uses the heat produced by compression to ignite the fuel. Diesel engines typically have a longer stroke than the bore diameter, so to handle this load, diesel crankshafts are much larger physically.
Engine Builder 50th Anniversary
The next time you’re on a TV game show or playing trivia with friends, and the question is, “What is the most significant month in the history of the transportation industry?” let me suggest that you answer, “October 1964.” May I present the evidence for my argument? October 1, 1964: The world’s first high-speed rail
NHRA Supports Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), whose professional drag-racing teams employ some of the nation’s top auto technicians, is supporting the next generation of auto experts through the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge. The NHRA has donated its table at the 2014 SEMA Show Banquet to the top two teams competing in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge.
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.
King Engine Bearings New Race Bearing Application Guide
King Engine Bearings has announced its all new racing specific application guide. It offers expanded coverage that includes many new applications for both domestic and import vehicles.
5th Annual Holley LS Fest Grand Champion Results
The 2014 LS Fest, held September 5-7, was the 5th annual and by far the largest incarnation of the event yet with over 10,000 in attendance and over 500 participating LS-powered cars. Congratulations are in order for all of the participants who had the chance to enjoy and contribute to the event. Even bigger congratulations
Wiseco Diesel Pistons
Wiseco, a high-performance piston maker established in 1941, is launching a new range of diesel pistons for Dodge Cummins, GM Duramax and Ford Power Stroke engines.
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
Shirley Muldowney to Attend 60th Anniversary of NHRA US Nationals
Scheduled for Labor Day weekend (Aug. 27 – Sept.1), the three-time NHRA national drag racing championship title holder with 18 career victories and the first female winner at Indy, Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney will attend this year’s spectacular to reunite with her fans and accept a presentation scheduled for Saturday. More than three decades after
The Demands on Diesel Pistons and Sleeves
The pistons are some of the hardest working components inside a diesel engine. Diesel engines are high compression, high heat engines that demand a lot from their pistons. Compression ratios are typically in the 16:1 to 20:1 range, which improves thermal efficiency and fuel economy, but also creates more pressure. Cylinder pressures in many production
Chevy’s 348 and 409 ‘W’ Motors
Chevy’s 348 and 409 ‘W’ motors are having no problem keeping their popularity going. In fact, judging by the numbers of high quality parts being made for these motors today, they may even be more popular than ever. The quick and dirty of W motors and their parts today is that you can sit at
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
Prolong Super Lubricants Announces Tony Pedregon Sponsorship
Two-time National Hot Rod Association funny car world champion Tony Pedregon has chosen Prolong Super Lubricants as his primary lubricant sponsor for the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pedregon has had 43 career wins, with a career-best elapsed time at 4.041 seconds, and he holds the record of quickest quarter-mile run in funny car history at
DRC Race Products Valve Spring Removal Tool
It is unrealistic to assume race engines will operate reliably without regular inspections. In fact high-powered, high-revving drag racing engines require valve spring pressure checks after each run. At the other end of the spectrum mild-powered race engines often tolerate at least one season of racing and sometimes two or three before a rebuild is
Replacing Crankshafts, Connecting Rods and Bearings
The crankshaft, connecting rods and bearings are extremely important in every engine build, whether mild or wild, because they convert the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational torque. The longer the stroke, the greater the leverage effect and the greater the torque output of the engine. There are three things that need to be
