Magnificent Millers in Milwaukee Mile
Auto racing enthusiasts Bob Sutherland, David Uihlein and Chuck Davis started the Millers at Milwaukee Vintage Indy Car Event at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in 1995. At that time, the three never dreamed that it would become an annual event drawing cars from across the country and showcasing in retrospect the ideas that sprung from auto racing to advance auto engine technology. But that’s exactly what it is today.
Holley Carbon Black Intake Manifolds
Holley has introduced a new ceramic coating to match the subdued engine bays that have become so popular. Polished aluminum or chrome isn’t the answer for everyone, so Holley came up with the Carbon Black coating for its intake manifolds.
PRW Industries Valve Covers for Ford FE
PRW Industries, a manufacturer of high performance engine components, has announced three new valve covers for Ford FE applications, model years 1958-’76 and for engines 332, 352, 390-428. The incredible ability to withstand the harsh elements of racing makes these the perfect solution for street rod and racing applications.
Crane Cams Crank Trigger Distributors
Crane Cams has announced the addition of Crank Trigger Distributors to its race billet distributors line. The four new part numbers are equipped with a large diameter, low profile distributor cap. This design helps avoid clearance problems. In addition, the caps are manufactured with solid brass lugs, which enable the transfer of the maximum amount of spark energy.
Going Hohl School
During the 1950s and ‘60s, building and tuning a performance race engine was a different world from today. It was definitely more of a hands-on situation where the feel, sound and smell of an engine were important tools of early engine builders.
Pontiac’s Straight 8s
The Pontiac L-head straight eight was used in production cars for 21 years between 1933 and 1954. This classic engine was advertised as a powerplant that could run 100,000 miles without a major overhaul.
Modified Ford Model Bs
It was known as the Model B engine and was produced for only four years beginning in 1932. Sporting only four cylinders, it was basically an upgrade of the earlier Model A powerplant. The “B” engine sported an impressive 200 cubic inches of displacement. Its compression ratio was a super-low 4.9-1. The paltry 50 horses it produced came at about 2,200 RPMs. The engine certainly didn’t appear likely to be a candidate for upgrading, but that wouldn’t be the case.
When to Upgrade a Performance Head Gasket
A rule of thumb for performance engine building is that if you are doubling an engine’s power output, or are going much over 550 to 600 hp, you should upgrade to some type of aftermarket performance gaskets. Upgrades usually require no additional modifications. You just swap a performance MLS gasket for the stock head gasket.
Company Innovations
While technology in general was the primary answer to what innovations helped grow the industry over the past 50 years, when asked about innovations within their own companies that have helped the industry, the answers were more specific to certain engine parts. “Over the years a number of Sunnen innovations have been standards of the
Egge Machine Co.
Egge began its life as an automotive repair shop in Plainview, TX in 1915. The original name was “E.N. Egge Auto,” named after its founder E.N. Egge. E.N. repaired anything and everything that came into his shop. As the business progressed, he developed the ability to sand cast aluminum pistons, primarily because replacement pistons were
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 Builder 50th Anniversary
The next time you’re on a TV game show or playing trivia with friends, and the question is, “What is the most significant month in the history of the transportation industry?” let me suggest that you answer, “October 1964.” May I present the evidence for my argument? October 1, 1964: The world’s first high-speed rail
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.
King Bearings Launches Advanced Bearing Materials at AAPEX 2014
King Engine Bearings will present its new advanced bearing materials at the 2014 AAPEX show November 4-7 in Las Vegas. The needs of modern engines combined with today’s environmental restrictions has led King to develop new advanced bearing materials which can withstand greater load than traditional materials while remaining environmentally friendly.
Must Have Shop Tools & Measuring Equipment
You can’t do quality work in an automotive machine shop if you don’t have the right tools and measuring equipment. “Must have” tools and equipment include those that are necessary for engine disassembly, for inspecting and measuring engine components, and for engine assembly.
Head Surfacing and Straightening
Clean, smooth and flat have always been requirements for proper head sealing whether you are building a stock engine or a monster motor for a ProStock drag car. Head gaskets can only accommodate so much distortion and roughness across the face of the cylinder head and deck. Resurfacing the desk surface on a cylinder head and/or engine block should restore flatness and achieve the required smoothness.
2015 Mustang Ecoboost Four Pulls Strong But is No V8
Babcox tech editor Larry Carley had the opportunity to test drive the 2015 Mustang GT as well as the new Ecoboost 2.3L four-cylinder Mustang at the Autobahn race track in Joliet, Illinois recently. Ford provided the pair of Mustangs as part of the Midwest Automotive Media Assn. fall rally.
Royal Purple to Unveil Custom Car and New Products at 2014 SEMA Show
Royal Purple has announced it will introduce four new products and unveil its latest sponsored custom car built by Ringbrothers as part of its press conference (Booth #23057) during the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 4 – 7.
PRW Rocker Arm Rebates Are Back
PRW Industries is reintroducing its Rocker Arm Rebates this fall. Purchase any of PRW’s Performance Quotient Platinum Series Shaft Mount Rocker Arm Systems through any PRW authorized distributor and qualify for a $20 Visa gift card rebate.
Racing with the Ramchargers
Before Neil Newman’s tenure with Chrysler Marine Division, he had gone to school at the Chrysler Engineering Institute (CEI) with many members of the original, legendary “Ramchargers” drag racing team.
