Why Size and Strength Matters with Pushrods
When you start modifying OHV engines from their stock form – meaning low speed, light load, and rpms in the 6,000 to 6,500 range – the dynamics change. Installing a hot cam with more lift and duration means you’ll also have to upgrade the pushrods and valve springs to handle the higher engine speeds and loads.
Oil Starvation
“The cornerstone of any lubrication system is the engine’s demand for oil,” says Mike Osterhaus, VP Aftermarket Products, Melling Engine Parts. He explains that the engine’s highest specific rate of demand (gallons per engine revolution) is at hot idle.
Fastener Fascination
According to ARP’s Chris Raschke, engine builders need to make sure to have the correct fastener for the application first. “When you get a new fastener, you need to take it out of the package, inspect the fastener, make sure there’s nothing wrong with it.
OE Parts vs. the Aftermarket
Many of your customers believe that OEM parts are better than aftermarket parts. We wanted to dispel some of the myths once and for all. Without getting into the mud about which brands are better. It is important to note that not all parts are created equal, and this includes both aftermarket and OE replacement parts.
Air-Cooled VW Engines
The iconic VW Beetle, known by enthusiasts and the industry as the Type 1, is probably one of the most influential and underrated performance vehicles of all time. It’s underrated because the car only produced between 36 and 60 hp, depending on which model you had.
Diesel Oil Relationship Status
If you thought dating was difficult, with sorting through all of those online profiles, and swiping left or right to find a match before even going out on the first date; try to spec out a new oil to see what is difficult.
Keeping an Eye on Cooling Systems
We all know the internal combustion engine (ICE) is going through a metamorphosis these days as the OEMs carefully scrutinize and squeeze every component for maximum efficiency.
Valve Seats & Guides
Performing valve jobs is one of the most crucial areas of the engine building business. According to our most recent Machine Shop Market Profile, cylinder heads for gas engines account for nearly 16 percent of an engine builder’s production time – and it’s easy to see why.
Pumps, Pans & Screens
A stock pump may be just fine for some mild performance, and it may even produce enough pressure for a wilder application, but the limitations are mostly from the housings themselves, which can vibrate and crack at high rpm or under heavy loads.
Fuel Injector Selection & Service
These days just about everything is computer controlled, and we mean EVERYTHING. But the only kind of electronics we’re interested in for this article is one of the oldest computer-controlled engine parts around – the humble fuel injector.
