Phaser-Style Variable Valve Timing System Controls and Operation
By Matt Dixon, assistant professor, Southern Illinois University Vehicles with variable valve timing (VVT) have become commonplace over the last decade. Even more commonplace are engines that use a phaser to manipulate camshaft position and, hence, valve timing. (See Figure 1.) The phaser style of VVT is the focus of this article. Figure 2: The
A New ‘Finish’ in Honing
For years, engine builders have been honing cylinders with a coarse stone followed by a finishing stone. Then ring materials changed, requiring an additional very fine finishing stone to follow. Now current technology demands an added step to create an even cleaner, burr-free finish. However, even with these conventional honing techniques, peaks of folded and
Oliver Racing Parts Kicks Off 30th Anniversary with Three Contests
Oliver Racing Parts, manufacturers of high-performance connecting rods for motorsports applications, is celebrating its 30th anniversary by launching three contests filled with prizes and merchandise between now and December 31, 2013. “Oliver Racing Parts has had a successful history – from setting land speed records at Bonneville to wins in NASCAR – so for Oliver’s
COMP Performance Group Announces Plans for 2013 Power Tour
The Power Tour is considered one of the biggest and best road trips in the nation for performance enthusiasts. A variety of special events are scheduled throughout the week, including a highly anticipated cruise night in downtown Memphis (home of CPG) on the Tuesday, June 4. Among the special promotions CPG has slated for the
New AETC Website Debuts
Each year AETCbrings together engine builders, racers, engineers and media members from around the world to exchange information on the day’s most popular engine-building topics. In an effort to make information about the conference even more accessible, AETChas recently launched an updated, easy-to-navigate website. The redesigned site features an overview of the conference and a
Common Causes of Water Pump Failure
1. Failure Symptom: Seal Leakage-Dirty System Evidence of seal leakage from weep hole (Figure 1) – This pump has been in service only a short time before rusty-looking coolant began to leak out of the weep hole, leaving behind large deposits of rust and calcium. Figure 1 shows a buildup of rust particles with a
Spiral-Reamed Valve Guide Misconceptions
The spiral inside the guide is there to hold oil and aid the lubrication of the valve during engine operation. To prevent excessive oil consumption, the threads stop approximately 7 to 10 mm from the bottom (combustion chamber) of the guide in most applications. However, there are applications where the spiral-ream is the total length
PRW Opens New Corporate Office and Warehouse Distribution Center
The PRW warehouse distribution center and corporate headquarters in now located in Perris, California. In addition to being designed to maximize storage and order shipping, the facility has an abundance of office space that houses the sales, management and support teams, an employee break room, conference rooms, and a larger engineering and product development department.
Melling, Dura-Bond Consolidate Sales and Marketing Efforts
Charles Barnett, vice president of sales and marketing at Dura-Bond Bearing Co., will be heading up the consoliated efforts between Dura-Bond and Melling. Barnett has been a long-term employee at the company as president prior to the Melling purchase several years ago. He also had a career with ACDelco/General Motors and previously served as general sales
Tom Marx Will Present Power Branding for PERA Webinar
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) will hold a webinar on "Power Branding" featuring Tom Marx, president and CEO of The Marx Group. Scheduled for Wednesday, May 15 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. (CST), the PERA webinar will provide attendees with step-by-step ideas on how to achieve and use strong brand equity to improve
Audi 2.8L V6 Rear Crankshaft Seal Leaks After Replacement
This condition affects 1996 A4 with 2.8L V6 (Engine Code AFC). When replacing the seal, the new seal is supplied pre-installed in the flange. Seal/Flange P/N: 078 103 171H Flange gasket P/N: 078 103 181 (must be ordered separately). Caution: Part numbers are for reference only. 1) Carefully remove installation tool that comes with seal
Checking Compression Ring Gaps
Minimum gap tolerances must be observed in order to prevent the ring ends from butting together as the ring expands when the engine approaches operating temperature. It is recommended that you use a minimum gap of .0035? per inch of cylinder diameter. Example: 4? (bore) x .0035 = .014 minimum gap. Maximum ring gap is
Ready for a Diesel Resurgence?
Diesel engine building will soon see an increase in numbers – very soon! Why do I say that? In an effort to eliminate smoking engines and reduce emissions, the EPA came down hard on tuner manufacturers just a few months ago, issuing warning/cease notices on diesel particulate filters (DPF) and EGR delete tunes/kits.
Performance Gaskets & Surface Finishes
The most critical engine gaskets are the head gaskets since they have to withstand the heat and pressure of combustion. And unless the engine is a drag motor with a solid billet or filled block, the head gaskets also have to keep coolant out of the cylinders. Many performance engines are capable of making
Valve Seats & Guides
Most engine builders worth their salt know that with the components and technology available today, it’s not that difficult of a task to make horsepower. With the availability of so many performance parts – whether it’s from the OEM or the aftermarket – engine builders can pull from vast resources to achieve a balance between
‘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
Going Green Not Just for Irish
Did you know that as engine builders, we were green long before green became the IN thing? We were green even before Kermit said it wasn’t easy. How are we green, you ask? We are green because we rebuild, which means we recycle. Green is defined as: • Relating to or being an environmentalist
Not Quite a Full Pull
In tractor pulling parlance, a “hook” is when you attempt a pull. A “full pull” is one in which you go the maximum distance of 300 feet. At Engine Builder, we’re mourning one of our own, who made the hook, but didn’t quite get the full pull. Jim Walbolt, who had been a contributor to
Green Strategies: Cleaning Techniques & Equipment
It may seem that there’s nothing natural about cleaning an engine. Even after the couple of hours of cleaning time, the engine might be cleaner than the tech working on it – but the engine still needs cleaned (and so does the cleaning crew from time to time). We are long from the days of
Green Strategies: Efficient Shop Operations
If you really think about it, the engine building/remanufacturing industry is the true essence of going green. After all, you’re recycling: 1. A used product for further performance; 2. The solvents for other use; and 3. Your shop’s revenue as you have to make more profit from fewer rebuilds. “Most motors don’t run