Automotive-Powered Inboard Hydroplanes
They’re fast, have power aplenty, can turn on a dime, and throw a huge column of water behind them. They’re called Inboard Hydroplanes and are one of the most exciting motorsports shows on water with their automotive powerplants. The Inboard Hydroplane The looks of these boats spell speed with fighter aircraft aerodynamics on both the
Crank It Up
Whether you think diesel crankshafts are the same as or different from their smaller gasoline counterparts, you’re right. Diesel crankshafts and rotating assemblies – like their cousins in the gas engine world – turn a linear motion from combustion into a rotating motion that can move a vehicle, supply power through a generator, pump oil
Nitrous
A nitrous engine can be built as a stock rebuild or it can be a dedicated effort to maximize the total performance package. As more power is generated, more waste heat, exhaust air flow and combustion pressures push the limits of engine strength. Often more beef is needed in the drive train and tires. The
High Octane Educations
In October, you learned about the teachers at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH, involved in the school’s High Performance program. This one-year certification program provides hands-on, certified automotive training for skilled entry-level positions in automotive dealerships, independent garages and motorsports and other auto-related industries. Its auto department is recognized as a leader in training
Chevy
When the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, it will be powered by a technologically advanced 6.2L V8 that delivers an estimated 450 horsepower and runs 0-60 mph in less than four seconds. The new Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies,
New Product Award Winners From SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association, has announced the winners of the New Products Showcase Awards held at the 2012 SEMA Show. The awards were selected by a panel of judges based on their superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability. We have highlighted the product winners and runners up in the
GM Unveils All-New 450 hp Small Block LT1 V8 for 2014 Corvette
The new Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timingto support an advanced combustion system. “Our objective for the development of the all-new LT1 was to raise the bar for performance car engines,” said
Crack Detection and Correction
First off, let’s get one thing perfectly clear – there’s no such thing as “flawless.” Like those shocking tabloid photos of that Hollywood actress who gets blindsided beside a bistro, even the most conscientious engine builder sometimes has to deal with surprising surface imperfections. And just as she has paparazzi to expose the damage and
Performance Piston Rings
When you’re building a performance engine, what kind of piston rings should you use? Rings run the gamut from cast iron to ductile iron to steel, with various dimensions, edge profiles and wear coatings. There are a lot of choices available and a lot of questions to answer. Some piston sets come with rings while
Getting Your Bearings
Engine bearings have a tough job to do for such a small component. They must support big loads on a thin film of oil (between .0001-.0004? thick) between themselves and the crankshaft journals to prevent metal-to-metal contact. One of the biggest causes of bearing failures is dirt and debris that enters into the oil pan
Grumpy Jenkins
He used a sharp wide chisel. This works great and leaves no frayed ends. Just put the hose on an aluminum block, use your sharp chisel and hit it like you mean it! Jeff Beseth BeezerBuilt Inc. Newton Square, PA
Inspection: Vacuum Check That Engine (#14)
I have found a few brand new castings to have porosity holes in them after they were torqued down. All of these heads were aluminum SB Chevy heads and were made overseas. These heads were “good” prior to proper installation. More than once I’ve found brand new water pumps to have leaking seals at
Ten Head Bolt Installation Tips
The following are useful tips for technicians andengine specialists who spend any time sealing up engines. 1. Make sure all the head bolts are in perfect condition with clean,undamaged threads. Dirty or damaged threads can give false torquereadings as well as decrease a bolt’s clamping force by as much as 50%!Wire brush all bolt threads,
Honing Different Coatings, Materials Webinar Set for Oct. 10
The PERA moderated event will be presented by Bob Dolder of Sunnen Products and cover a wide range of honing applications from NASCAR engines to street engines and everything in between. Other topics include – secrets for honing Nickasil, high nickel cast iron, compacted graphite blocks, the new aluminum Corvette block, Sulzer Metco coatings, bore
Brief Overview of Caterpillar C7 Engines
This popular engine can often be found in on-highway trucks, and also in off-highway applications such as loaders, skidders, excavators, motor graders, and industrial and marine units. It is actually a 7.2 liter (439 cid) engine with a 4.33? bore (110mm) and 5.0? stroke (127mm). Note: This engine was also covered in more detail in
Rebuilding the Buick 3300
This engine was installed in many of the "A" bodied cars including the Buick Century, the Cutlass Ciera and the Cutlass Cruiser wagon. It was also installed in some of the "N" bodied cars including the Buick Skylark and the Olds Cutlass Calais. The engine had a smaller bore (3.70" versus 3.80") and a longer
Understanding and Profiting From the Caterpillar C7
I believe society naturally directs the outcome of its environment: if someone manages a quality independent automotive repair shop, they will always be looking for ways to increase their education and specialty tools as technology changes. In order to take care of their customers when the warranty runs out and they no longer visit the
BIG R Show to Feature New Technologies for Salvaging Cores Seminar
Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) President Bill Gager announced that aseminar on “New Technologies for Salvaging Cores That Will Increase Profits” will be presented on Oct. 28, 2012 at the International BIG R Show. Gary Reed, CEO of Lock-N-Stitch, Inc. will present step-by-step procedures for metal stitching cracks in cast aluminum and cast iron parts.
AN vs. NPT: Understanding Port Threads, Adapter Fittings and Line Sizes
AN specifications are apopular standard met by all companies that manufacture AN styleperformance fuel hose and accessories. For many there has been muchconfusion about the subject of AN lines, NPT and ORB ports, and how allof this works together. Here are the answers for those wanting to know. The flare angle used to seal AN
Common Coolant Concerns – Know What You Know And Question the Rest
My column on issues surrounding the PCV system may have bordered on the mundane to some of you, but there was a method to the madness. When you stop to think about how often the PCV system is the root cause of a problem you just can’t talk about it often enough. I think of