September 2017 Shop Solutions
In our shop we seem to constantly be moving cylinder heads around. First, from arrival at the door to a tear down bench, then to the jet wash, to a storage shelf, to benches to be worked on and then to benches to be assembled. To do it all efficiently, we have three 34” tall 4-wheel carts.
454 cid Procharged LSX Engine
Engine of the Week returns in 2018 with a special 454 cid Procharged LSX engine built by Patterson-Elite Performance for Sunnen’s Charity Engine Sweepstakes for Victory Junction. The 1,300 hp LSX helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for a good cause.
VP Tank Guardian Diesel Contamination Prevention System
Many owners and operators of diesel equipment have experienced clogged filters, poor engine performance and subpar mileage due to water and other contaminants in their fuel. Such problems are costly and at worst, render equipment inoperable. Fortunately, these problems can now be easily prevented with a new system introduced by VP Racing Fuels.
SEMA Announces New Products Award Winners
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the Best New Products Award winners this week at the 2017 SEMA Show. These awards are given to the most innovative and cutting-edge automotive aftermarket products that will be consumable in 2018.
Small Block 363 Ford Engine
Just three short years ago, Aaron Yaghoubian was a kid with a hot rod hobby. He didn’t know much about engine and machine work, but after buying Arlington Machine, he got a mentor and put forth his full effort to make himself and his shop a success. Today, he’s rebuilding engines like this small block 363 Ford engine.
6.3L Stroker Power Stroke
The 6.0L Power Stroke engine is beloved by many, but its flaws can make it undesirable to some. However, J&K Engines specializes in Power Stroke engines and has been remanufacturing and stroking the 6.0L to a 6.3L to give the engine new life, better horsepower and torque, and fixed its flaws.
Chevy 348 and 409 Strokers
Chevy strokers are pretty common. But how much do we hear about Chevy’s less produced engine, the 348/409 W motor? Surprisingly, they offer a pretty impressive number of options.
Round and Round – Valve Timing Events and the Order of Importance
If you’ll recall, in the January issue, we got into the nitty gritty details of what makes a camshaft the “right” camshaft. In this issue, we’ll continue the education. Cam class is back in session! Remember the camshaft makes one complete revolution (360°) while the crankshaft rotates twice (720°) for a complete engine cycle. Camshaft
Engine Parts Cracks – How to Fix
One of the essential elements of engine building is making sure heads, blocks, main bearing caps, crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, cams, timing gears, rocker arms, and flywheels are free from cracks. If you’re doing a complete engine build, checking the intake and exhaust manifolds for cracks is also a good idea – and that includes
Understanding Engine Treatments – What components can benefit from coatings? You may be surprised at the treatments available.
If you were to place technological advances on a scale, I would say that engine coatings would probably rank near the top. Engine coatings have a lot of merit, but unfortunately are often overlooked. Engine coatings have a reputation that they are only beneficial for racing applications. Yes, coatings are regularly applied and highly appreciated
AFTERMARKET DIESEL INNOVATIONS – Evolutionary, Revolutionary or Illegal?
Diesel technology has come a long way, evolving from smelly, dirty, slow, workhorse engines to clean-burning, high-torque, high-horsepower engines that can give many gasoline engines a run for the money on a drag strip or race track. Diesels aren’t just for towing or pulling anymore, they’re finding a niche in all kinds of performance applications
Timing Chains, Gear Sets and Belt Drives
The short answer to which type of cam drive is best depends on the application, what your customer wants and how much they can afford to spend. A stock link style timing chain is fine for everyday driving and normal use. “Silent tooth” link chains are quiet, long-lived and adequate for stock cams and valve
Flow Bench Testing is More Than CFM Numbers – What You Need to Know
On the surface, flow bench testing seems easy, but it’s not. Many in the industry have become solely fixated on cubic feet per minute (cfm) numbers, placing importance on a number that is easily manipulated and ignoring other data about a cylinder head’s performance. This thinking would make flow bench testing seem easy, but this
Rebuilding the Ford Triton V10 Engine
It looks as though for 2017, Ford is going to be bringing back the 6.8-liter Triton V10. There has been a lot of advertisement through the media on the matter and it seems everyone thought the V10 no longer existed. To everyone’s surprise, the V10 actually never stopped production. Many thought that when Ford quit
Engine Balancing – Explain the Benefits to Sell the Balance
Over the years I’ve seen many articles on engine balancing and it seems that most of them get pretty technical and complicated. It is always nice to understand the depth of what you are trying to accomplish, but we cannot lose focus of the ultimate goal – which is to give the customer the best-balanced
Valves & Seats
When it comes to engine components working together, there are few areas that share the same level of relationship as the valves and valve seats. The factors that affect this duo’s ability to reside in harmony inside an internal combustion engine encompass everything from material compatibility to thermal conductivity. In regard to the actual physical
Shop Solutions January 2017
You want to seal that flange with an OE MLS gasket? Good luck! The same conditions now exist in exhaust flange technology as when the first MLS head gaskets were being replaced under repair conditions.
1946-1948 Dixon Motor
A customer of Mike Herman’s at H&H Flatheads wanted an engine build, and gave Herman free reign to do what he wanted. Mike chose a rare Dixon motor to add unique flare to a sleeper hot rod.
Bonneville Needs BLM Intervention for Survival, SEMA Says
The Bonneville salt flats is an unique land formation in northwestern Utah that beckons visitors from around the world. For racers, its surface is unequaled. The hard salt crust is perfect for both speed and safety. But there is a problem. The once 13-mile racetrack is now less than eight miles long due to salt erosion.
Two Years In, Ilmor Continues ARCA Dominance
The 100th Ilmor engine just came off the production line, and in the two full years since the first one debuted, the engine remains undefeated – 40 races, 40 wins.
