Restoration Engine Market Update
The resto market can be a good source of extra business or a solid specialization option You might joke that the restoration engine marketplace is a “dependable” business niche. Trying to get a handle on its size, shape and character depends on with whom you talk and what they consider a vintage car to be.
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: January 2013
Detonation vs. Pre-Ignition (Editors Note: the following is in response to Greg Goss’s entry in the August 2012 issue) A sharp point or edge that can glow in a combustion chamber or on a piston top does not cause detonation. Mr. Goss inadvertently was referring to pre-ignition. Detonation and pre-ignition are two distinctly different terms and
Variable Valve Timing Systems
By the early 1990s, almost all import automotive manufacturers had a successful variable valve timing (VVT) system in production. These systems offered higher performance from smaller displacement engines at higher rpm. As these vehicles exceeded their new car warranties, technicians learned the ins and outs of these systems and how regular oil changes could increase
Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2013 Announced
For the first time in seven years, the list is comprised entirely of gasoline-powered engines, with no hybrid, all-electric or diesel powertrains to be found, in the recent announcement of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2013. While this result might seem to go against the grain of the industry’s push into alternative fuels and propulsion
GM Cylinder Head Tightening Specification Clarification
Affects: 1993 Cadillac Allante, Sixty Special (FWD) 1993-96 Cadillac Fleetwood 1993-99 Cadillac DeVille, Eldorado, Seville 1994-99 Cadillac Concours 1995-99 Oldsmobile Aurora with 4.0 L or 4.6 L Engine (VINs C, Y, 9 – RPOs L47, LD8, L37) Cylinder Head Installation Torque specification and sequence for the cylinder head bolts (1-10) using a torque angle meter
Muscle Car Engines: What’s Old Is New. And The Greates Of All Time
Baby boomers wanted to go fast even if they were just driving to the grocery store. The open road was calling and America answered. But the government intervened and quickly started killing the culture in the early to mid-’70s. Then the gas crisis of the late ’70s put the final nail in the coffin. Or
History-Making Times and Technologies
Speaking of choices, we have a little bit of history happening in theautomotive industry as well and it’s called Displacement on Demand,Active Fuel Management, Multi-Displacement system, Variable CylinderManagement and the list goes on. The bottom line is, technology thatchanges the number of cylinders a vehicle runs on can use just 25-30percent of the available horsepower
New Aftermarket Automotive Belts and Hoses Last Longer
There was a time when rubber belts and hoses were maintenance itemsthat had to be replaced every five or six years, depending on theircondition. The original equipment belts and hoses on today’s late-model vehiclesare mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a syntheticrubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant thanNeoprene. This means
Audible Spark Knock Complaints on 1998-’02 GM Engines
Models affected: 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird with 5.7L Engine (VIN G – RPO LS1) 1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1999-2002 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL 2002 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT with 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L Engine (VINs V, T, Z, N, U – RPOS LR4, LM7, L59, L09, L04)
Engine Options Abound In The Street Rod Market
The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) provides the best definition of what street rods are all about. “By definition a street rod is an automobile of 1948 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. In
Crankshaft Rear Main Oil Seal Leaks in Some 60-degree V6 GM Engines
This information only applies to 60 degree V6 engines. It is important to verify that the following information is correct before continuing: Models: 1986-2006 GM cars and light-duty trucks (including Saturn) with 2.8L, 3.1L, 3.4L, 3.5L, 3.9L 60 degree V6 engines (VINs D, E, F, J, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, V, W,
HPBG: Don
In that discussion we hashed over the disparity in coefficients of expansion between cast iron and aluminum (that caused a revolution in head gaskets around the time of the Cadillac 4.1L). We discussed surface conditions and how that affects gaskets and scrub. We discussed gasket coatings and how they remain plastic while not scrubbing and
1960 Indy 500 Winner Jim Rathman Dies at 83
Jim Rathmann, winner of both the 1960 Indianapolis 500 and the international 500-mile "Race of Two Worlds" in 1958 at Monza, Italy, died Nov. 23. Rathmann passed away in a hospice in Melbourne, Fla., nine days after suffering a seizure at his home. He was 83. Rathmann, who was inducted into the Auto Racing Hall
LKQ
Peter Butterfield, regional vice president of LKQ Remanufacturing, says the purchase of ATK North America (Dallas,TX), PROFormance Powertrain Products (Springfield, MO) and Yamato Engine Specialists (Bellingham, WA) are a sign of continued industry consolidation but one that should, in the long run, benefit the entire industry. “It’s no secret that this industry has contracted dramatically
Restoration Engine Builds: Finding The Niche That’s Right For You
If you’re trying to determine if you can make money raising engines from the ashes, take the following test to see if you’re likely to, not just survive but, flourish as an engine restorer: • Are you an information sponge capable of soaking up the last 100 or so years of automotive technology? • Do
Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
Nathan Sheets, marketing manager for Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, explains that the company today offers engine building, engine and chassis tuning components and installation for vehicle owners; component product development; services to manufacturers, aftermarket and original equipment suppliers; prototype and preparation of product development vehicles; late product life-cycle performance improvements; durability testing; and show and media
Post-War Engines: The Greatest Generation?
“The popularity of the post-war engines being rebuilt is not much different than the pre-war models,” says Packard Industries’ Bob Rovegno. “GM rules the roost, with Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Buick leading the way, and surprisingly, Lincoln-based 383s, 410s, 430s, 462s are next and the old Mopar or Ford flathead V8s are up there in the top
GM Northstar 4.6L V8 Engine
Initially rated at 295 horsepower, the Northstar V8 has grown over the years to an incredible 469 hp at 6,400 rpm (STS-V Supercharged Northstar engine). In 1995, the engine was ranked as one of the “10 Best Engines in North America” by Ward’s Auto World. It repeated the honor in 1996 and 1997, but it
New Thread Repair Kit Available For Damaged GM Engine Block Bolt Holes
Affects: 1993 Cadillac Allante 1996-1999 Cadillac Deville 1993-1999 Cadlllac Eldorado, Seville 1994-1999 Cadillac Concours 1995-1999 Oldsmobile Aurora 1999 Marine with 4.0 L or 4.6 L Engine (VINs C, Y, 9 – RPOs L47, LD8, 1-37) A thread repair kit (Kent-Moore J 42385-500) is available to repair damaged engine block bolt holes for the cylinder head
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