A Chip Off The Old Block: Aftermarket Blocks Are More Versatile Than Ever
It’s the same economic principle many body shops use on their rodding customers. You can expend good time, money and effort trying to resurrect an old hulk towards the customer’s ultimate goals or you can cut to the chase by starting with an accurate reproduction. In engine building, the same holds true but with a
Eliminating The Low Oil Pressure Gremlin
Whether you’re a Production Engine Remanufacturer (PER) or a Custom Engine Builder (CER), this issue has shown up in yourwarranty or complaint area like the nasty gremlin that it is. So let’sgo on a journey and see what you think. "Low Oil Pressure" is the frightening gremlin of which I speak! Here isthe situation: your
Building a Late Model Hemi Stroker
What is the purpose of stroking a motor? The answer is simple: to obtain more cubic inches. And in today’s economic times, it’s always best to achieve “more” with less – as in less money. The key word to many stroker enthusiasts today is “budget”. However, the word “budget” has a way of being interpreted
Pre-War Engines: Vintage Technology, Modern Products
How have the changes in the market and the changes in vehicles affected shops specializing in vintage engines as well as those shops thinking about adding vintage to their list of services? The automotive enthusiast and collector market is a funny creature. While the actual mechanical evolution may sometimes run in opposite directions, the eras
Diesel Crankshaft Basics
The crankshaft turns this linear motion into a rotating motion that provides power to move a vehicle forward, operate generators or otherwise give measurable activity. Whether in a gasoline or diesel-powered engine, the crankshaft is a key component. With diesels, the crank is typically thought of as bigger, heavier and harder to get in the
Egge To Present Workshop at 2010 Hot Rod & Restoration Show Education and Training Day
Egge Machine Co. has been added to the list of companies presenting workshops during the 2010 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show’s Education & Training Day, which takes place Thursday, March 11 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Egge was founded by Edward N. Egge in 1915 as a small repair shop. Known as the
Dick Morgan Retires as John Washbish Takes Presidency of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance
For more than 15 years, Richard (Dick) Morgan has served as presidentand CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (Alliance). On hisretirement, effective Dec. 31, 2009, Morgan culminated a 48-year careerof successes in the industry. “I’ve been fortunate to have spent the final years of my career at theAlliance,” said Morgan. “This is the best group
Getting it Right
Mark Dodge, owner of Midwest Cylinder Head, can pinch a penny thin enough to see through (and maybe that keeps his businesses alive and well in poor economic times), so you can bet his choice was thoroughly researched and thought out. I wanted to see what this unit was all about and so arranged to
CAT 3208 Cylinder Block Identification
The turbo block has two vents for the lifter chambers of the block that the non-turbo does not have. Figure 1shows the rear lower extremity of the “V” of both blocks. The non-turboblock is plain and just follows suit with the rest of the casting. Thecounter bored and threaded hole (red circle) is where the
Diesel Enthusiasm Often Tempered By Fear of the Unknown
Most automotive guys understand the principles of an internal combustion engine. Whether it is gasoline or diesel these are fuel, fire, and compression! Without one of these ingredients, the internal combustion engine will not function. So what is it about diesel engine rebuilding that makes automotive guys so nervous? This basically comes down to what
Today’s Niche Market Engine Opportunities
As we reported in our 2009 Machine Shop Market Profile, the total number of engines built is down, however, savvy engine builders know that finding the right niche markets can make the difference between success and failure of their business. With OEMs making engines that last well into the 200,000-mile range it’s no wonder rebuilders
Turbocharging’s Not Just A Lot of Hot Air
With the uncertainty of fuel prices and the concern that gasoline couldagain top $4 a gallon across the nation, Americans have been shiftingtheir vehicle-buying behaviors toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. While gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have been getting much of theattention as the next step in fuel-sipping vehicles, turbocharging —which is used by roughly half of new
MAHLE Clevite Implements New Brand Strategy for North American Aftermarket Products
MAHLE Cleviterecently announced the implementation of a new brand strategy for itsNorth American Aftermarket products, designed to streamline the brandportfolio. Re-branding initiatives include a number of product linetransitions to the MAHLE Original brand, as well as changes to theMAHLE Original logo and packaging. These moves will improve awarenessand consistency among North American brands, said the
Boosting Performance – Nitrous, Superchargers and Turbochargers
From the budget six-cylinders that get 300 hp and 28 mpg for less than $25,000 to the 600 hp Viper V10 to the 630 hp Corvette ZR1 for just over $100,000, the performance market is deep and wide. “It’s amazing, the horsepower potential that these cars are coming with off the factory floor,” says Frank
Performance Rocker Arm & Shaft Systems – Time-Tested Technology Provides Proven Performance
The SB Chevy ball and stud stamped steel rocker arms were a revolutionary departure from the shaft mounted rocker arm systems of that era because they allowed it to outrev its competitors. More revs means more airflow and more power. It wasn’t until 1962 that Ford finally dumped their old Y-block 312 rocker shaft engine
Loss of Oil Pressure on Audi 2.8L Engines
Condition Immediately after starting, the oil pressure warning light remains lit. Service Measure oil pressure. Vehicles with automatic transmission Remove the oil cooler line bracket to provide clearance for connecting the VAG 1342 Pressure Tester. All vehicles Remove the 0.3 bar oil pressure switch (Figure 1). Install VAG 1342 oil pressure tester in place of
Sludgy Saab May Rattle Your Chain
By Tom Purser, ALLDATA editor and Jeff Webster, ALLDATA technical writer If a Saab vehicle owner/engine installer complains about a rattling timing chain, oil sludgeor any of the other conditions described in this Tech Tip, follow therecommended procedures. Various conditions can cause the formation ofoil sludge in the engine or a rattling noise from the
Uncovering the Culprits That Cause Head Gaskets to Fail
Most installers should know the first symptoms of a head gasket that is failing are usually a slowloss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating and/or aCheck Engine light with cylinder misfire codes. The Onboard DiagnosticII (OBD II) system should detect any misfires that occur due to a lossof compression or spark plugs fouled
MAHLE Clevite Inc. to co-host upcoming Tech & Skills Regional Conference
Bill McKnight, training manager and motorsports sales and technical representative for MAHLE Clevite will present the day’s first technical session from 9:15-10:30 am. With over 28 years of experience with MAHLE Clevite, McKnight will inform attendees how to recognize different signs and symptoms of bearing distress. Each attendee will receive a free MAHLE Clevite digital
60 Series Detroit Diesel Engines
The Series 60 engine is an in-line 6 cylinder, with wet replaceable liners, overhead cam and electronic engine control. These engines are mostly used in class 8 trucks, but can also be found in industrial and generator applications as well as occasional marine applications. The Series 60 DDC diesel engine comes in 14.0L, 12.7L &