Variable Valve Timing Can Help Save V8s, Environment
Not that I don’t supportthe environment and being responsible in our efforts to save the planet– I do. But the passion for the thunder of a throbbing,pavement-pounding V8 is, well, similar to that of the how your heartskips a beat when you think of your first love. What if you could stillhave the power, have
Breakin-In Is Hard To Do
Before we begin discussing assembly lubes and break-in oils, I would like to emphasize that no one factor is responsible for racing success (or failure). It’s like an algebraic equation with a lot of variables, all of which must be addressed. The same is true of engine assembly and break-in. You must utilize only those
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
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
Career Building: Developing Engine Building Experiences in School Starts with Instructors
For some older technicians and mechanics, servicing vehicles and tearing down engines was something learned on the job. For others, automotive skills were developed through an automotive program at a high school or technical college. According to an employment forecast from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), between 2010 and 2020, the nation’s workforce will
Debunking the 10 X 10 Crankshaft Myth for Customers (#5)
First of all, in normal use or even high performance use, a used crankshaft will not “clean up” to standard specifications and will usually have to be ground to .010? undersize. The crankshaft has then remained 98+ percent as strong as new. The problem arises when “spinning” or “hammering” (knocking) a bearing. The crank will
Welding Cast Iron (#20)
Next, the crack must be fully “V” notched and ground smooth before welding can begin. I use a stick welder with a high nickel electrode, preferably with 85% nickel. This makes the weld softer and less likely to crack and easier to machine. When a high carbon electrode is used the high carbon content of
Determining the Correct Head Gasket on Cat 3114, 3116 & 3126 Engines
Oversized head gaskets may not be something you would normally think about when repairing or rebuilding a Caterpillar engine. As the 3114, 3116 and 3126 (2-valve) engines age you may encounter engines that have or will require thicker (oversized) head gaskets. IPD does not offer these oversized head gaskets at the time of this publication,
PERA to Host ‘Engine Blocks’ Webinar November 14
Reed has been in the casting repair business for 40 years. His experience began as a lead welder fusion welding diesel cylinder heads with Northwest Motor Welding. In 1973 started his first company where he began developing new metal stitching technologies and welding methods to expand upon his prior cast iron welding experience. Reed currently
BMW Oil Filter Head Leak
An O-ring with improved material quality (Viton) has been developedby BMW. The new repair kit (consisting of 1 Viton O-ring, 1 cover and 1snap ring) must be installed whenever an oil leak is detected comingfrom the control valve cover of the oil filter housing (seeillustration). This repair kit will eliminate the need to replace thecomplete
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
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Championship Coming to the PRI Show in 2013
The 26th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, will host the final round of the nation’s premier engine build competition for young automotive talent, it was recently announced. Each year hundreds of automotive technology students from high schools across the country take part in regional competitions to determine which teams can disassemble
Advertising Does Not Work, And I Can Prove It!
There was a time when I only relied on word of mouth, the yellow pages andan occasional ad in the local paper. I would throw together an ad myself andwhen the results were poor, I would convince myself it was because advertisingdid not work –when this simply was not true. In today’s world of business,
Understanding Differences, Challenges Between Crankshaft Position Sensors
I don’t believe that I have ever written about watching out fordamaged as-cast reluctor rings, spark triggers or whatever other namesome manufacturer has given them to create their ownidentity/ownership. It’s not as bad as the variable displacementacronyms but still running a close second. ANYWAY. Before we talk about this issue you need to understand
Can Your Customers Find You Where They Are Searching?
My goal here is to provide you with some answers and insight about new and powerful ways to generate more business, both with new customers and repeat customers. In 2011, more mobile devices were shipped than laptops or desktop computers. You might even be seeing this trend yourself with your employees, family and customers. They
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
Hail to the Chiefs
With all of the talk of special interests, pork barrel spending and polarization, the political landscape across America seems hopelessly mired in rhetoric. But while it may be politics as usual in Washington, DC, on the airwaves and at both of the major party conventions, constituents of the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) will celebrate
Broad Spectrum of Speakers to Address Advanced Engineering Technology Conference
Hundreds of race engine builders will arrive early in Orlando the week of the Performance RacingIndustry Trade Show to attend the three-day Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC). It is the oldest and most respected race engine conference in the world, and will feature a broad spectrum of speakers this year. With more speakers yet to
How to Properly Care for Your Carbide Cutting Tools
There are three things to remember when using carbide cutting tools: 1. Avoid making intermittent cuts 2. Do not turn tool in reverse of normal rotation 3. Avoid cutting out valve seats with counterbore seat cutters When in use, always keep carbide tools stored separately, cased in wood or plastic. If they happen to bump