Inside DuraBond
A look inside what makes the bushing and valve seat manufacturer tick.
Shop Solutions July 2016
Sometimes machine shops are called on to solve more than engine issues. Toyota rear axles are difficult to disassemble and usually require replacing the reluctor gear when replacing the bearings. I made a jig to drive the axle out of the housing using my press.
Shop Solutions June 2016
We live in a time where aluminum blocks with cast-in sleeves are common and we still need to remember to account for how different metals behave. We build several dozen Gen III and Gen IV GM LS type motors per year. We finish our cylinders .001” tighter on the aluminum block engines to compensate for the additional growth when the block gets up to operating temperature.
Rein Automotive Genuine Anti-Vibration Parts
CRP Automotive offers a line of Rein Automotive genuine anti-vibration parts for a wide variety of popular applications on leading European makes and models from 1985 through to today.
10 Things to Learn From Oil Analysis
For most consumers, a preventive maintenance program for their automobile consists of nothing more than an oil change. While a regular oil change is very important, the most critical part of changing the oil is to know when to change the oil.
Shop Solutions May 2016
One of the most difficult heads to pressure test is the BMW DOHC 6 cylinder. It is nearly impossible to plug the water outlet on the side of the head, until now. A “T handle drain plug” from a boat is the perfect size, and easy to install and remove.
World Products Motown Pro Light-Weight SBC Block
World Products has introduced a new light-weight cast iron small block for racing and performance applications. Weighing in at a nominal 178 lbs, the Motown Pro Light-Weight is cast from a special 40,000 psi iron alloy for increased strength while weighing significantly less than typical aftermarket blocks.
Shop Solutions November 2015
When assembling an engine, one of the most overlooked items is the timing chain sprocket alignment. The upper and lower gears should be installed and alignment checked with a straight edge. I have seen them as far as .020˝ off.
How Oil Change Habits Are Killing Turbos
Turbochargers are used to enhance an engine’s performance and optimize combustion. To achieve good and complete combustion in the engine, a mixture ratio of 2.2 lbs. fuel and approximately 33 lbs. air is necessary (stoichiometric fuel ratio). During turbocharging, the density of the intake air is elevated and the air volume increased. The volumetric efficiency
Shop Solutions October 2015
Managing your scrap is an everyday chore. We all know aluminum pistons are worth more than aluminum mill waste, but by removing pins and rings they’re worth even more.
Shop Solutions August 2015
I found myself without a welder to use to remove a check ball staked into the end of an oil passage of a crankshaft. So I applied a different technique to remove it to clean the crank.
Stroker Mania
Years ago, it was a big hassle and expense to stroke an engine. But one reason stroking is so popular today, is the convenient availability of the parts – usually sold in kit form to acquire those extra cubes. Many different strokes are offered from many different suppliers.
Camshaft Selection and Design
Choosing the right cam from all of the possibilities that are out there can make a significant difference in how well an engine performs. It’s all about balance and correctly matching the cam with the cylinder heads, compression ratio, intake and exhaust systems, and RPM range where you want the engine to produce the most torque and horsepower.
Shop Solutions June 2015
I recycle the thick plastic trays used to store and ship 1-liter soda bottles. They work really well for keeping piston and rod assemblies in order and protected from damage as you move them about the shop.
DBB Acquisition LLC Acquires Dura-Bond Bearing Company
DBB Acquisition LLC has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Dura-Bond Bearing Company, a division of privately held Melling Engine Parts. Dura-Bond is a manufacturer of Cam Bearings, Bushings, Valve Seats and Hardware for engine and transmission rebuilding since 1947. The Company is based in Carson City, Nevada. Terms of the transaction were
MAHLE Aftermarket Introduces More Than 80 New Part Numbers
MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. recently introduced 84 new part numbers in April for various types of bearings, gaskets, piston rings, thermostats and cylinder components, now available for a range of light vehicle and heavy-duty applications.
Centerforce 1,700 lb. ft. Rated Diesel Twin Clutch for Cummins-equipped Rams
The Centerforce Diesel Twin uses two sprung hub discs with a patented floater design that uses spring-loaded bushings to absorb typical “floater rattle.” The floater is drilled and slotted like a brake rotor to dissipate heat. This configuration helps to retain stock-like drivability. Smooth engagement comes from the two-stage sprung hub friction discs.
DynoMax Adds High-Strength Torca Couplers to Performance Exhaust Product Line
DynoMax Performance Exhaust will release several new high-strength Torca coupler clamps on Jan. 1 that remove the need for pipe flares, slip joints or slotting, providing custom exhaust builders a serviceable joint and increased durability at the connection point of exhaust pipes. The new DynoMax coupler clamps are available in a variety of sizes.
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.
The Ford ‘FE’ – Rebuilding An American Iron Icon
Ford produced the FE series engines for almost 20 years and in this time period, this series of engine gained quite a following. After researching the FE, I was intrigued about its internal workings. I had always heard about and seen some of the more popular FE engines such as the 390, 427 and 428 but never had a chance to dive into one – until now.
