Gary Thompson of ABS Products Has Passed Away
Gary Thompson, president and founder of ABS Products and Trader Magazine of Brea, California, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at his office.
Wet & Dry Sump Oiling Systems
Choosing the Right System for the Right Job
Industry Still Strong, Say Readers
Engine Builder readers tell us business has changed, but opportunity still remains.
Rebuilding the 5.7L HEMI
Back in the early ’90s, when Chrysler realized that it would need a new truck motor to replace its 318/360 Magnum engines to meet the coming emissions standards, the company considered two pushrod engines along with one SOHC design and concluded that a pushrod motor with a pair of Hemi heads that really breathed would make a great truck engine and could still be used in its cars. This is how the 5.7L Gen III Hemi was born in 2003.
Schumann’s Small Block Chevy Dual Feed Oil Pump System
Schumann’s Small Block Chevy dual feed oil pump system is now available for X-TRA volume 1.500 gear STD, volume 1.200 gear and low volume 1.000. Schumann’s patented dual feed pump supplies equal amount of oil to the bottom of the gears and to the top third of the gears in operational engine running characteristics.
Off-Season or On-Season?
The phrase “off-season” implies that another year of excitement is over, whether that be football, baseball, basketball, or in this case, auto racing. It’s true, the racing season has come to an end for 2015, and the off-season is underway. However, while many drivers might have more free time now than they did during the race season, this time of the year is a very different beast for engine builders.
Oiling Systems for Grassroots Racing
Priority one when choosing an oiling system for any type of racing (grassroots or professional) is to establish what the rules allow and prohibit. Somebody has to read the rule book. Whether that’s you or your customer it doesn’t matter. The oiling system has to fit within the framework of the rule book. Period.
Paul Nelson Named MAHLE Aftermarket Champion Technician
Paul Nelson, advocate for the future of engine building, has been named the fifth annual MAHLE Aftermarket Champion Technician. Nelson was selected based on his short essay submission that detailed his passion, experience and career accomplishments as a custom engine rebuilder, shop owner, and teacher.
Tim Vehlewald To Retire from ACL Distribution
Tim Vehlewald, President and CEO of ACL Distribution, Inc., has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2015, according to ACL’s Executive Vice President, Juan Bez. Vehlewald indicated that ACL’s management staff remains intact and the company has significant plans for growth over the next few years.
Machine Shop Market Profile
As we move through our 51st year of covering this industry, the staff of Engine Builder recognizes that old adage – the more things change, the more they stay the same. What’s changed about this industry is, well, pretty much everything. What’s stayed the same is the dedication and hardwork of the professionals who keep engines running and customers happy.
Choosing the Right Oil Pump
Choosing a replacement oil pump for an engine you are building or modifying is a process that requires some thought. Original equipment oil pumps are usually adequate for most stock applications – but some are not, especially if an engine is being modified.
Diesel Oils Will Soon Be Changing
With May’s Engine Builder focusing on performance diesel engine technology, it’s the perfect time to alert you of two new diesel engine oil performance categories that will appear on the market in 2017. These new categories are the direct result of our federal government asking diesel engine builders and truck manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Schumann’s Sales & Service Ultimate Series Oil Pump
Schumann’s Ultimate Series Oil Pumps work with both small block and big block Chevys. The oil pumps have a cylindrical body shape, five gear volumes, an aeration bumper valve, and two and three ball valve oil modulated volume/PSI control.
Turning Over Industrial Engine Business
Engine builders today are diversifying their businesses in order to maintain a healthy, steady stream of business and cash flow. One such area of opportunity lies within the industrial engine market. Industrial engines are a broad category that essentially covers any off road engine. Read how your shop can get in on the action.
Knowledge is Power
What does a guy or gal do when the next unfamiliar job walks in the front door? Where does one go for technical information about the really old or the recently designed engine job you’ve just been presented with? Read on to find out.
Picking a Racing Oil
How do racing oils differ from everyday motor oils? You might think all racing oils are synthetics, but they are not. Some use conventional mineral base oils, others use PAO and ester synthetics, and some are a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. It doesn’t really matter which way a racing oil is created as long as it meets the criteria for which it was designed.
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.
Elgin Industries
Elgin Industries is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, and from our founding in 1919 through today we have been dedicated to manufacturing world-class products for the engine rebuilding industry. Our founder, Martin Skok, was an automotive technician at an Elgin, Illinois-based vehicle dealership when he became frustrated with a serious shortage of high-quality replacement
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 Break-In Oil and Assembly Lube Needs
Engine building is a process that should go well when everything is done correctly. A lot of things can go wrong during those first few minutes following the initial start-up of a freshly built engine. The engine has to build oil pressure quickly so all of the critical wear surfaces will receive lubrication.
