Hot Engines for Hot Wheels
If one of the most recognizable hosts of one of the most popular automotive-based reality TV shows came calling and asked you to build a blown big block to squeeze into a vintage collector car to help celebrate the history of an iconic toy, would you blink? For Jammie Wells, it’s just another day in
PRI Machinery Row Recalls 50 Years of Tooling Advances
Visiting Machinery Row at the annual PRI Show in Indianapolis you’ll see some mind-blowing whirring, spinning and rotating as machines like the Centroid A560 with CAD/CAM control, touch screen operation and a 24-tool automatic tool changer machine race car engines.
Modern Machining
Advancements in engine machining technology have truly moved this industry firmly into the space age. Highly developed abrasives and computer numeric controlled (CNC) software are found at almost every level of equipment, leaving some to mourn the loss of the “art” of engine machining in favor of the “science” of precision.
Upgrading Valve and Seat Equipment
If high quality head work is a cornerstone of your business, you should review your current situation to see if an equipment upgrade could improve not only the quality but also the quantity of your work.
Thank You Notes: 392 Magnum Engine Charity Build Update
As we get closer to completion of Engine Builder magazine’s 392 Magnum Charity Engine Build project, we would like to take a moment and update the project status and thank all those responsible for this project. First of all, we would like to thank Dave Sutton, contributing editor for Engine Builder for organizing this
Chevy’s 348 and 409 ‘W’ Motors
Chevy’s 348 and 409 ‘W’ motors are having no problem keeping their popularity going. In fact, judging by the numbers of high quality parts being made for these motors today, they may even be more popular than ever. The quick and dirty of W motors and their parts today is that you can sit at
What Can CNC Do For You?
Are you using Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) equipment in your shop? According to our most recent Babcox Machine Shop Market Profile Survey, 12 percent of engine builders said they own a CNC machining center (a multi-purpose machine that can do surfacing, boring, milling, drilling, etc.). The survey also asked what other types of equipment our
6.4L Magnum 392 Charity Engine Build Takes Shape
Dare to be different. That was the idea. And right out of the gate I was hit with skepticism. “Why are you doing that?” “What if you did this?” But my answer was always no, you’re going to read about that anywhere. Not that this is a bad thing, it just wasn’t what I wanted
Computer ‘Tools’
Infusing Software Technology into a Performance Build For years, computer-aided design (CAD) has been used in the automotive industry to develop prototypes of body styles, as well as to design auto components including engine parts, electronics and even tires. In fact, Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty, an American computer scientist who is known as the “Father
Future of Engine Building: The Road Ahead for Machining
The future always seemed so far away for some reason. You had cartoons featuring flying cars and movies about aliens and galaxies far, far away.
‘Heads Up’ On Today’s Cylinder Heads & Bolts
Some say the air cleaner of an engine is like the front door of a house. That is, it’s what you see first and foremost. And the home owner can use that door to make a statement about the house without anyone seeing what’s inside. Much like what an air cleaner says about an engine
Valve Seat & Guide Machines
A valve seat and guide machine is an essential piece of equipment for any shop that does cylinder head work. So whether you are thinking about upgrading your existing equipment, buying a brand new machine or finding a good used machine, there are a number of important factors to consider as you make your decision.
CNC Machining Advantages
Running a profitable machine shop these days requires a lot of things: skilled machinists who know what they are doing, accurate equipment that can perform all of the tasks that are required to machine cylinder heads and blocks, an efficient work environment that maximizes both shop labor and equipment usage to boost productivity, a commitment
Keeping Valve Jobs Profitable
Okay, so head work accounts for a large percentage of your business. But is it as profitable as it should be or could be? Do you have a good handle on cylinder head related costs (parts, labor and cleaning)? Are the employees who are doing the head work competent and productive? Is your valve guide
Engine Building Measuring Tools
The French created a measurement system in 1790 called the metric system. While the U.S. has never managed to switch over to it completely, as we were supposed to in the latter half of the 20th century, most automotive techs are familiar with it today because of the fasteners and components on late model vehicles.
PERA?Announces 67th Annual Convention Preliminary Schedule
The PERA Conference Planning Committee has developed an intriguing program of business and technical meetings as well as tours of Seattle-area businesses and manufacturing locations to enhance business and networking opportunities. The Mayflower Park Hotel is ideally located steps away from Seattle’s most exciting attractions, including the famous Pike Place Market, Seattle Waterfront, and Space
PERA Webinar Series to Kick-off April 17 with Speaker Bill Wade
The PERA webinar series is presented to engine builders at no charge courtesy of Goodson Tool & Supply and Rottler Mfg. The webinar registation link is available from the PERA home page, the PERA facebook page and the PERA Linkedin page. Information on the 2012 Webinar Series, "What’s New and What it Means to
A Million Here, A Million There
First, Fisher’s a former winning sprint car driver running with the top-gun World of Outlaws and All-Star groups. Then, there’s the fact that he’s got the mind of a skilled surgeon when he probes the innards of his engines looking for more performance. The guy is a graduate engineer (Ohio State – 1975), but his
Smooth Moves: Today’s Surfaces Often Demand Different Finishes
When multi-layer steel (MLS) head gaskets became commonplace a number of years ago, there was a lot of concern that aftermarket surfacing procedures might not be able to reproduce the mirror-like finish that the vehicle manufacturers said was absolutely necessary to seal MLS head gaskets. The challenge was to duplicate the factory finish using out-dated
PRI Offers Race Engine Builders Opportunities to Increase Efficiencies, Profit in 2012
The PRI Trade Show is being held December 1-3, 2011, in the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Fla. It is open to the racing trade only. You must be part of a racing business or professional race team to gain admission. “The PRI Trade Show is where you go when