September 2014 Shop Solutions
One of the most important factors in engine bearing design is a proper fit between the bearing and housing. Except for thrust washers, nearly all bearings are an interference fit. This means the bearing is slightly larger than the hole it fits into. In bushings, we refer to this as “Press Fit.”
Failure Happens
In our industry and business, one thing that has not changed is the inconvenience and total disruption to progress and profits brought along by a comeback. Unfortunately, “Failure Happens.” This might just be the next must-have bumper sticker. It could address our teenagers, our government and the occasional warranty. I won’t address my teenagers and
Preventing Flat Tappet Cam Failures
Flat tappet cams, with either solid or hydraulic lifters, are commonly used in many street and performance engines. It’s a simple design that works well, provided there’s adequate lubrication between the lifters and cam lobes to prevent wear that can wipe out a cam and/or lifters. The problem is today’s motor oils contain much less
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
Egge Piston for AMC/Rambler 196
Egge Machine manufactures cast aluminum replacement pistons for a very popular car with a sometimes unpopular engine, the AMC/Rambler 196. Designed by Nash and originally introduced in 1941, American Motors’ first straight-six engine was the 195.6 cu in (3.2 L)-often referred to as the 196. The Rambler version was produced from 1952 through 1965 in
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
Front-Mounted Oil Pumps: Good or Troublesome?
On late model engines such as Chevy LS, Ford modular V8s and Chrysler 5.7/6.1/6.4L Hemis, engineers have moved the oil pump from its cozy location inside the oil pan to the front of the engine under the timing cover. Traditionally, most wet sump oil pumps have been mounted under the engine inside the oil pan
Step by Step: 6.4L Magnum Coming to Life
I recently had my forth call from a shop with interest in our 392 ci Chrysler build as a project they are hoping to tackle. The budget and power needs for his project were not to the scope of our project and he was discussing a less expensive cast steel crankshaft and the factory connecting
June Shop Solutions
In Depth Deck Discussion I’ve found another use for a deck height bridge. When replacing seats on race cylinder heads, especially Big Block Chevys, I use a deck bridge with an indicator extension to first check where the valve was and should be. Then, when machining the seats, it’s an easy way to get all
Ford’s Famous Flathead V8
It was special in so many ways. First of all, it was the first V8 engine for the Ford line of cars. Nobody could imagine the effects it would have on the racing and hot rod world in the years to come. Even in its stock trim, it was a gutty little powerplant, but it would
Wear and Tear
When it comes to agricultural equipment, specifically tractors, many of them are used for decades upon decades due to durable, well-made engines and machinery that lasts. For this reason, agricultural equipment comes with a price tag – a big price tag. New tractors, ranging in size from compact to 4- and 6-cylinder engines, can cost
Just in Time – Addressing Timing Component Replacement and Upgrades
The timing components that drive a camshaft affect valve timing, ignition timing (if the engine has a cam-driven distributor), compression, engine performance and fuel economy. Because of this, the timing components must be in good condition with minimal wear and slop, and they must be durable enough to maintain accurate timing for the service life
PRW Stud Mount Pro Series Aluminum and Stainless Rockers
PRW Industries’ Stud Mount Pro Series 6061-T6 Aluminum rocker bodies are designed for engines operating with less than 750 psi of open spring pressure, while the 15-5ph stainless bodies will handle up to 850 psi. The strength and durability of both rocker arms reduces flex for more accurate valve motion as well as extended service life.
The Science of Speed Webinar Presented by King Racing
Today’s race engines make more power than ever before. Yesterday’s engine bearing load capacity no longer works today… and tomorrow’s race engines will be even more powerful. There’s a need to meet these demands with higher bearing design standards and improved materials. King Racing’s XP series of rod and main bearings was developed to meet
Assembling the Pieces of Our 392 Magnum Project
Customer sales reps (CSR) who work for your local W.D., or any parts person for that matter, are expected to not only take orders, but are often times called upon to choose the parts a shop will use for a build or repairs. Reps may be asked to help diagnose a problem or failure without
Weighing in on Balancing Work
Whether you’re building a stock engine, a high-revving performance engine or a slow-turning diesel engine, you can’t overlook the importance of balance. Every time the pistons in a reciprocating internal combustion engine change direction, they generate a force. That force is created by the reciprocating and rotating mass of the piston and rod assembly. If
Pick-a-Part: Selecting Valvetrain Components for a Performance Build
Selecting the right components to make a race-worthy valvetrain is crucial to assembling an engine that will last – and win. The pushrods, rockers and valve springs must be able to handle all of the stresses of the camshaft rotating with high spring pressures and with huge lift. As we all know, weakness in any
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
Tracking Down the Coyote
Today, restoration projects seem to be at an all-time high. You would have to admit that there is a love for true American iron. True American iron is also becoming rather hard to come by. As Americans, we were always proud of our cars and trucks. The vehicles manufactured by the BIG 3 (Ford, GM,
Voodoo Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms
The product of extensive testing, these CAD designed and FEA optimized rockers were engineered specifically for high-performance street engines. Constructed from extruded aircraft quality aluminum and CNC machined to precise tolerances, the superfinished surface increases durability and sheds oil. They are lightweight yet strong enough to handle aggressive spring pressures and higher lift cams while
