Racing Oils
As a motorhead physicist, I get to look at engine lubrication from theviews of both an oil formulator and an engine failure analysis expert.Since I used nitromethane fuels when I raced funny cars, I’ve seen morethan my share of engine failures. I’ve also formulated oils for usewith alcohol and nitro burning engines, but let’s leave
Performance Lifters, Pushrods and Valve Springs
Low friction roller lifters replaced flat tappet lifters many years ago in stock production engines, but there are still plenty of hot flat tappet cams bumping the valves open in vintage muscle cars, street rods and race cars. Even NASCAR is still using flat tappet cams to actuate the valves. The advantage of flat tappet
Calvin Hill Tapped as GM of Mondello Tech Center
Calvin Hill has been named general manager of the company’s high performance machine shop and brings with him a renewed dedication to building performance engines and their components. “I’m so pleased to have Calvin as part of our team and to know that he’ll carry on ‘The Mondello Way,’” said Mary Mondello, owner of Mondello
IMIS Educational Seminar Slots for Exhibitors Filling Up
The IMIS Industry Seminar Series is designed withthe attendee in mind to give concise but concentrated information eachday. IMIS Industry Seminars arehosted by IMIS exhibitors and divided into categories that easily allowyou to find what you are looking for to help your businessgrow. IMIS recently announced that the Engine Builders Association (AERA) has moved all
Getting To The Bottom of Hydraulic Lifter Preload
Hydraulic lifters have been the choice of the automotive industry for many years for several good reasons. When compared to a mechanical lifter, the hydraulics are: 1. Quieter. 2. Low maintenance. 3. Able to adjust for thermal expansion of the engine. 4. Considered as a built in shock absorber, eases stress on valve train. 5.
2011 IMIS To Include Exhibitor-Hosted Tech and Business Seminars
The International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) Industry Seminar Series is designed with the attendee in mind to give concise but concentrated information each day. Show?attendees are encouraged to build a schedule that is designed around their needs and interests. IMIS Industry Seminars are hosted by show exhibitors and divided into categories that easily allow attendees
Rottler To Hold Open House September 30 to October 1
Rottler’s Open House will feature technical presentations and live machine demos as well as a cookout will be held on Thursday, September 29, and attendees are invited to join them on a dinner cruise Friday night. Technical Seminars • Converting Diesel Engines to use Various Forms of Gas such as LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), Natural
Three Reasons to Wear a Coat
What’s not usually as well known is the incredible versatility that coatings have in dealing with a huge range of problems. The number of uses for various coatings in performance applications is mind-boggling and nearly limitless, but in order to keep the possibilities cost effective and manageable it’s useful to think about it in terms
Close-Coupled Converter Caution on Late Model GM Vehicles
This new style converter provides quick catalyst warm-up, resulting in lower tailpipe emissions earlier in operating cycle. If and engine failure (such as a broken intake/exhaust valve orpiston), debris may be deposited in the converter through engine exhaust ports. If the engine failure is due to a severe overheating event, damage to the ceramic “brick”
Does Ignition Tuning Still Matter? Things You Need To Know
Spark plugs never foul out anymore, and the old term “it’s breaking up at high rpm” has literally disappeared from the racer’s vernacular. And now thanks to digital electronics, even the spark advance curve can be programmed on a laptop computer instead of adjusting weights and springs that fly around inside of a distributor. How
Ford 4.6L SOHC Labor Cost Study
Ford has built the 4.6L motors in both the Romeo Engine Plant, located in Romeo, MI, and at the Windsor Engine Plant and the Essex Engine Plant, both located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The 4.6L has been offered in 2-valve SOHC, 3-valve SOHC and 4-valve DOHC versions. The engines were also offered with both aluminum
Oiling Systems For Grassroots Racing
One of the first things to look at when building an engine is the oiling system. Dry sump systems are very scalable and efficient but are not known to be inexpensive by any means. Wet sump systems, on the other hand, offer affordability and can handle some impressive performance applications, but using all stock components
Owner Maintenance: Who
Over the past several years, I’ve written a lot articles on maintaining your machine shop equipment. I’ve always believed in being proactive when it comes to maintenance and preached it many times in this column. I am convinced that by doing maintenance up front you’ll keep these expensive machines lasting longer and performing better for
Common Failure Modes
For years, B&G Machine had been a diesel machine shop serving Seattle and the upper Northwest part of the U.S. To address certain market conditions in the mid- to late-’90s, we began building diesel engines. In doing so, we tried to identify the engines that would best serve a captive market – markets that would
Callies Launches New Fatigue Testing Division
Callies says the new division has been developed to provide objective laboratory testing of any component subject to fully reversed bending or torsional fatigue. Everything from engine components to mounting brackets can quickly be evaluated, according to the company. This capability is currently being used by Callies to develop the strongest cranks on the market,
JASPER Acquires Canam Marketing for Stronger USPS Parts Presence
The Jasper Engine & Transmission Exchange Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) has acquired Canam Marketing Corporation. Canam Marketing will be operated by JASPER’s sister company, Jasper Innovative Solutions, as the company strives to increase its presence in the United States Postal Service parts market. “The acquisition of Canam Marketing will be a great addition to
PERA Announces
Gary Reed from Lock-N-Stitch kicked off the "What’s New and What It Means to You" series in April with a webinar about casting repairs. Other noted speakers are to include Bill McKnight from MAHLE, Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich from King Engine Bearings and Mark Ferner from Shell Oil. May 18 Understanding the Design and Function
Holley Names Ricky Best Technical Sales Representative
Best will handle sales and support for all of Holley’s brands, but will be specialize in Holley EFI, Holley carburetors, and Earls plumbing. Best is a "hands on" sales representative who can offer a high level of technical expertise to engine builders, tuners, race teams, and specialty car builders. He will be attending many race
Ohio Technical College Students Build
The custom Bel Air will be presented May 1, 2011 during Christi Edelbrock’s "Rev’ved Up 4 Kids" charity car show benefiting The Center for Learning Unlimited at Vic’s Garage in Torrance, Calif. The one of a kind Bel Air, which was built to replicate a Hot Wheels 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Edelbrock die-cast
Oiling System 101
Factory stock engine blocks were designed to be mass-producedeconomically and to operate in a passenger car environment. Originalequipment oiling systems are typically restrictive and feed oil to thetop of the engine first. The common practice has been to use ahigh-volume oil pump to offset these shortcomings and help the mainbearings get more oil to survive.