Chrysler “A” Block Lifter Bank Angles
The latest version of Chrysler’s “A” engine block features a differentlifter bore angle. This block is commonly called the “R” block. Theangle of the lifter bore is changed to help straighten out thepushrod angle. The standard lifter angle on the “A” engine is 57degrees from vertical. This points the lifter away from the center ofthe
Executive Interview with Vic Edelbrock Jr., President and CEO of the Edelbrock Corp.
From aftermarketNews.com There have been plenty of media reports detailing the struggle in the auto industry today due to the tough economic climate. We haven’t heard much, however, about how this situation is impacting niche suppliers and the performance sector. What are you seeing out there right now?
PERA Spring Technical Conference Wrap Up
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) recently held its Spring Technical Meeting at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. Approximately 56 attendees representing 11 production engine remanufacturers (PERs), and 23 manufacturers and other suppliers attended the event. Presentations on Alternative Fuels, Understanding Zinc in Engine Oils and a Comprehensive View of Synthetic
Crane Cams To Be Purchased By Scorpion Performance, Holds Job Fair
Scorpion Performance, Inc., a high performance valvetrain parts manufacturer, recently announced that it is in the process of buyingCrane Cams, which closed its doors in February and was scheduled for a liquidation sale in April. Crane Cams has been in business 56 years and is one of the best-known brands in the industry. Scorpion Performance
Small Block Chevy and Ford Performance Cylinder Heads
Over the years, the SB Chevy V8 evolved and grew in displacement from 265 to 283 to 302 to 327 to 350 to finally 400 cubic inches. Aftermarket blocks and stroker cranks have allowed even more displacement, with some “small blocks” now having as many cubic inches as a big block Chevy (427 and 454
Flat or Tapered Cams and Flat or Crowned Lifters
It never occurred to me to even ASK whether the cam I recently had re-ground for a Buick Nailhead engine was ground with flat or tapered lobes. Like a great many others, I’d forgotten that some vintage engines had flat lobe surfaces because I’d gotten so used to everything having tapered lobes. This, unfortunately, can
Valve Seats & Machining Guide
Engine cooling doesn’t only happen at at the radiator. The valves (particularly the exhaust valves) take a lot of heat from the combustion chamber and the valve seats have the responsibility of helping to cool them off. The seats draw heat away from the valves and conduct it into the cylinder head, providing most of
Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, people have known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubic dollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes – bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get the performance they want
Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, peoplehave known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubicdollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes –bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get theperformance they want from the available components.
PERA Spring Technical Conference To Be Held In Charlotte, NC, March 18-20
The 2009 Production Engine Remanufacturers Assocation’s Spring Technical Conference will be held in NASCAR country, March 18-20, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC. The conference will open with a reception in the hotel’s Lakeview Room on Wednesday, March 18th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday morning will start with a buffet breakfast available from 8:15-9:00
Piston Options and Opportunities
The sport compact market, it was thought, was going to breathe new life into the performance engine market, and for many years, the rapid growth of the market seemed to indicate that there was no limit to how big those little engines could get. Then something happened: to quote Engine Builder columnist and performance expert
Lunati Returned to Private Ownership
Lunati staff made an interesting discovery at the recent PRI Trade Show in Orlando. They found out that many engine builders, former customers, and potential customers were unaware that Lunati had been restored to private ownership. Thus they didn’t know the company had returned to its roots as the Racer’s Company, that the original
Variable Valve Timing
With all the scientific technology computing power out there in the world today I have yet to hear an answer to the age old question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? Well the automotive industry has a similar dilemma that continues to plague its existence. Which is more desirable, large displacement and horsepower
Putting the Pressure On High Power Cleaning Systems
Despite these automated times in which we live today, many shops still use manual cleaning systems to hand-clean each engine component piece by piece. This may seem slow and tedious to some, but for others it’s necessary quality control in order to remove all of the hidden particles that can cause damage to an engine
PERA Spring Tech Meeting Preliminary Schedule
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) has announced its preliminary program for the upcomping Spring Tech Meeting to be held at Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. In addition to an impressive line up of speakers, Richard Childress Racing has agreed to let PERA tour their shop. Hendrick Motor Sports will also host
Cummins Revises 2008 Outlook to Reflect Worsening Economic Conditions
Cummins Inc. has revised its outlook for 2008 due to the continuing decline in many of its key markets around the world. The company said it now expects 2008 sales to increase by 9 percentover 2007, compared to its previous guidance of a 12 percent increase.Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) is forecast to be
Horsepower TV Competition
WyoTech grads are gearing up to build engines head-to-head for the second consecutive year on PowerBlock’s Horsepower TV. Set to air as a TV special in April of 2009, the second annual “Scholastic Engine Builder Challenge” pits students from WyoTech’s Sacramento, CA and Blairsville, PA campuses against each other for bragging rights on who can
Cleaning Rules
One of the least pleasant parts of any engine builder’s day is the cleaning process. Removing the oil, carbon and general gunk from blocks, cylinder heads and assorted parts before your inspection, machining and rebuilding process can even begin may seem as painful as a trip to the dentist’s chair. But if you think that
Showpower 2009 to Include Jasper Tour and Seminar
Shop operators and technicians participating in Showpower 2009 will have an opportunity to tour a Jasper Engines and Transmissions remanufacturing facility and take part in a specialized technical and sales seminar. Showpower, Transmission/Undercar Expo, is set for March 26-28, 2009, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY. Showpower Coordinator Michelle Dickemann said the
Understanding Valve Design and Alloys
To the naked eye, a valve is a valve is a valve. Sure, there may be two, three, four or more of them in the cylinder head, but unless you have x-ray eyes, one alloy looks pretty much the same as another. The importance of coatings to today’s valves should not be overlooked, of course.