Hot Engines for Hot Wheels – the Reality of Building Engines for TV
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 the shop.
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
Keith Dorton Honored for Half-Century of Race Engine Innovation
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Automotive Specialists, Inc.’s Concord, NC facility, ACL Distribution recently paid tribute to company founder Keith Dorton and his team.
New Engines Force New Pistons
As engines get smaller, motorists expect the same performance as a larger V6 or V8 but with the fuel economy of a four cylinder. Turbocharging makes little engines breathe big, but it also increases the load and temperature the pistons have to endure. This, in turn, requires pistons made of alloys that can withstand higher temperatures and combustion pressures. Yesterday’s castings won’t cut it for these kinds of applications.
Damien Was All Wrong
From 1987 to 1990, Animal Jim’s 666-inch A/R Ford Hemi Boss that was called Damien, was all wrong for Jim’s purpose, which was running with a nitrous NOS Fogger power adder. In ‘90 and ‘91 Pro Modified, Damien was one of three engines that powered his Rick Jones Pro Mod Probe. Find out how Animal Jim made Damien work.
Breaking Rules With Our 392 Magnum Engine Build
Breaking Some Rules — that’s what we’ve been doing and promoting with our 392 Magnum engine build. And with our plans to raffle the finished product and raise money and awareness for the work being done by the Independence Fund (www.indepencefund.org ) for our disabled veterans, we’re really doing something different, at least for us.
The Evolution of Surface Treatments
In the never ending quest for better performance, durability and reliability, various types of surface coatings and treatments have evolved as solutions for problems that have vexed engine builders for years. Coatings that were once considered exotic race-only solutions are now being used on a wide variety of stock and performance applications. If you’re not
Ford’s NASCAR Boss 429
When the Central County Flyers meet for their fly-in lunches on Friday afternoons in the summer, Owen Russell and his friends plunk down $8 for a hearty meal and a shot at weekly bragging rights. Owen could win the rights hands down week after week if he started telling tales from the six years he
Kaase Introduces Boss Nine Engine Kits for Common Ford 429-460 Big Blocks
For engine builders, and enthusiasts with ambitions in hot rod engine assembly, Jon Kaase has introduced the Boss Nine in a new kit form. Among the kit’s more prominent components, Kaase includes his noted semi-hemi cylinder heads with accompanying pistons, pins and rings as well as pushrods, shaft-mounted rockers and induction system. Everything to complete
Chrysler Delivers V8 HEMI Hellcat on Wheels
The much-anticipated HEMI Hellcat engine is Dodge and SRT’s first application of V8 supercharger technology, delivering an amazing 600-plus horsepower. This supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 Hellcat engine is the most powerful V8 engine ever produced by the Chrysler Group. According to Chrysler, its breakthrough supercharged engine features a forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing
Engine Tuning Tips for EFI
In today’s high tech world of computerized everything, it can be a challenge for even some seasoned engine builders and tuners to get the hang of punching buttons on a keyboard in exchange for twisting a screwdriver. While nothing about actually tuning the engines has changed much in the past 100 years or so, our
Choosing the ‘Right’ Oil
Every engine builder knows the importance of using not only high-quality motor oil in an engine, but also an oil that has the right additive package and viscosity for the application. This is especially important in performance applications where extremes of heat and pressure can push many ordinary motor oils to the brink. Motor oil
Building a 392 Magnum for the Independence Fund
Ever since the column I did in about stroker motors a few years ago (“Love the One You’re With,” Engine Builder, March 2010), the idea of building one of these engines, a less than everyday stroker combination, has been on my mind. To recap, the premise of the article was simple — Look at the
Identifying and Removing the “Time Stealers” from Your Shop
Your engine shop may be great at rebuilding powerplants for customers, but one thing your staff can’t do is build “more time.” Whether it’s silver, gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies or even cold, hard cash, we take numerous measures each day to protect our valuable items, some more drastic than others. We use locks, banks, safes
Kaase Captures AMSOIL Engine Masters Crown
Jon Kaase is named Engine Master with a Ford Mod motor powered by a FAST XFI 2.0 EFI system. The builders who assembled at UNOH recently for the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge each arrived with different aims. Many to experience the challenge, others to show their stuff, and some to match wits with the best
Jon Kaase Picks His Top Five Engines
Jon Kaase’s standing was propelled to the forefront of his craft by winning the annual Engine Masters Challenge four times. But his reputation as an innovative engine builder had already been established over previous decades. By Archie Bosman/Photos by Moore Good Ink Starting his career with the acclaimed Dyno Don Nicholson in 1977, Kaase was
Sassy Engines Builds Attitude
Knox family has success from drag racing to tractor pulling with Hemi engine power for 45 years Located in the quiet countryside of Weare, NH, is an engine shop that for over 30 years has been building some of the most powerful Hemi engines in the competitive world of truck and tractor pulling. Sassy Racing
Racing Oils
The latest API-certified SN and ILSAC GF-5 motor oils are fine for everyday driving in late model vehicles, but most off-the-shelf motor oils (even many synthetics) come up short in the anti-wear department in a racing application – especially if the engine is running a flat-tappet cam or a radical roller cam with a lot
Oiling System Technology
Oil is the lifeblood of every engine. Any significant loss of oil pressure can destroy an engine in a split second so the oiling system must provide a constant supply of oil under all operating conditions. With performance engines, keeping the engine lubed with a steady supply of oil can be a challenge because
Racing Oils
Performance engines built for racing deserve the best possible lubrication. Ordinary street oils don’t cut it on a race track. By Larry Carley The latest API-certified SN and ILSAC GF-5 motor oils are fine for everyday driving in late model vehicles, but most off-the-shelf motor oils (even many synthetics) come up short in the anti-wear