Head Gaskets and Fasteners
The relationship between head gaskets and head bolts is an intimate one. The clamping load applied by the head bolts is what allows the head gasket to maintain its seal. For this marriage to last, there has to be constant tension – not too much, otherwise the bolts may stretch or break, and not too
Shop Solutions August 2014
Cleaning Bucket Style Hydraulic Lifters Unlike their flat tappet cousins, bucket style hydraulic lifters can often be reused if inspected, validated and cleaned. The problem is taking them apart. I developed this hammer tool to separate the plunger from the body. Insert the bucket (upside down) and secure with the cover plate. Next, a few good blows
Failure Happens
In our industry and business, one thing that has not changed is the inconvenience and total disruption to progress and profits brought along by a comeback. Unfortunately, “Failure Happens.” This might just be the next must-have bumper sticker. It could address our teenagers, our government and the occasional warranty. I won’t address my teenagers and
Reflecting on ‘Speedy’ Bill Smith’s Impact on the Performance Industry
I met “Speedy” Bill Smith while on a magazine assignment for a former hot rodder magazine back in April of 1999. The magazine editor called early one Monday morning… “I know you only write technical articles for the magazine but we need somebody to go interview “Speedy” Bill Smith in Lincoln, Nebraska. You are the
Magnum Releases New Gaskets for Popular Class 3 to Class 8 Diesel Truck Engines
Magnum Gaskets (an MSI brand) has expanded its product offering beyond applications for traditional passenger cars and light-duty trucks, making inroads into the pickup truck diesel, heavy-duty diesel and high-performance vehicle segments. “MSI is one of the few companies in the world with the huge molding presses required to successfully manufacture the large format, complex
July Shop Solutions
Organize and Save Organizing your parts inventory in your shop, building or warehouse is difficult whether it’s a few pieces or a few thousand parts. Start by thinking about what it’s going to take to find that part later on. Have an area set aside for just parts, arrange it in categories and decide if
Schumann’s Puts Wet Sump Oil Pump Program Up for Sale
Verne Schumann has been around racing since the mid-‘50s. He knows a thing or two about the industry and so does his business, Schumann’s Sales & Service, Inc., an engine parts supplier located in Blue Grass, IA, which Verne founded in 1970. Now, nearly 45 years later, Verne and his wife are beginning to ponder
Royal Purple’s Fourth Annual Show It Off At SEMA Contest
Premium synthetic lubricant manufacturer, Royal Purple, has announced its fourth annual Show It Off at SEMA photo contest will launch on Monday, July 14, on the brand’s Facebook fan page. The winner of the contest will have the opportunity to display his or her vehicle at the 2014 SEMA Show – the largest trade-only automotive
Reunited With His Stolen Corvette – 33 Years Later
George Talley and his prized ’79 Chevrolet Corvette were reunited at General Motors’ world headquarters, just three miles from where the car was stolen from him 33 years ago. Talley, 71, last saw his Corvette when it was parked on Jefferson Avenue in 1981. On June 13, more than 30 years later, Talley received a
Enthusiasts Set Sights on Wilmington Mile Records
In the December issue of Engine Builder, our cover feature examined the unique one-of-one engine build-ups to maximize performance in all-out speed runs. The article also noted the presence of a new land-speed location at the former DHL facility at the Wilmington, Ohio airport. The super-smooth 9,000-foot runway is perfect for this high-speed activity and
Front-Mounted Oil Pumps: Good or Troublesome?
On late model engines such as Chevy LS, Ford modular V8s and Chrysler 5.7/6.1/6.4L Hemis, engineers have moved the oil pump from its cozy location inside the oil pan to the front of the engine under the timing cover. Traditionally, most wet sump oil pumps have been mounted under the engine inside the oil pan
The Latest Improvements on Performance Cylinder Heads
Heads are a product line that warrant almost constant research. Both the OEMs and aftermarket are creating new applications that solve problems, save time or money and just generally make life easier for engine builders. But, these improvements are only beneficial if those builders know what is out there waiting to help them. So, we
Replacing Crankshafts, Connecting Rods and Bearings
The crankshaft, connecting rods and bearings are extremely important in every engine build, whether mild or wild, because they convert the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational torque. The longer the stroke, the greater the leverage effect and the greater the torque output of the engine. There are three things that need to be
June Shop Solutions
In Depth Deck Discussion I’ve found another use for a deck height bridge. When replacing seats on race cylinder heads, especially Big Block Chevys, I use a deck bridge with an indicator extension to first check where the valve was and should be. Then, when machining the seats, it’s an easy way to get all
Fluidampr Performance Diesel Dampers
Fluidampr Performance Diesel dampers are now available for all late-model Chevy/GM, Ford and Dodge/Ram diesel trucks. Protect your engine with the technology high power diesel OEMs use. Recommended whenever performance upgrades are made for superior protection while achieving optimum performance across your entire rpm range. Maintenance free. Fluidampr is the official damper of DIESEL Motorsports.
Turbochargers: Small Engine Performance – Turbo Technology
Turbochargers are making a comeback, big time! Auto makers are under pressure from the government to boost their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) numbers to over 40 mpg by 2021. One of the ways they are going to accomplish this is to downsize engines and add turbochargers to boost performance so smaller engines can still
Diesel Engine Oil & Filters
Diesel engines have been around since the dawn of the automotive era. Over the years, diesels have become the engine of choice for powering heavy-duty trucks, buses, agricultural vehicles, off-road equipment, hard-working pickup trucks and stationary generators. More recently, diesels are competing against hybrid and plug-in electric powertrains as an alternative to gasoline engines in
Green Strategies: Recycled Engine Parts Save Profits
The list of reclaimed bare engine blocks on the Kenmonth Engine Company website (www.danamotorssac.com) is enough to warm the heart of any vintage vehicle collector. There’s an AMC 401-cid big-block for $800, five 1959 thru 1966 Buick “Nailheads” for $450 each, a 390 for a tail-finned ‘59 Caddy for $450, a 216-cid Chevy “Stovebolt 6”
Don’t Gamble When Choosing Cylinder Heads
A cylinder head is much more than a casting that tops off the block, holds the valves and forms the combustion chambers. The head works in combination with the camshaft, induction and exhaust systems to determine how the engine breathes, the engine’s power curve and personality. The “right” cylinder head on an engine will deliver
ACCEL Ceramic Boot Spark Plug Wires
ACCEL, an industry leader in high performance fuel and ignition system products, has announced the availability of its Extreme 9000 Ceramic Boot Spark Plug Wire sets. Designed to perform under the most extreme underhood temperatures, the ACCEL Ceramic Boot spark wire sets are ideal for a variety of street and race applications, especially vehicles with
