Top 10 ‘DOs’ of Piston Ring Installation
1. Insert rings squarely into the bore and measure end gap with feeler gauge; 2. Adjust gap if needed by filing both sides of gap equally; 3. Use ring expander tool to install rings on piston, so as not deform ring – do not spiral on rings; 4. Install directional rings with the dot up
High Oil Consumption Due to Wrong Air Intake Hose on Some Mazda RX-8 Engines
Affects: 2004-2008 RX-8 It appears that the service part hose for the 2009 RX-8 was shipped for 2004-2008 RX-8 by mistake since January 8, 2008. If the hose for a 2009 model is installed on a 2004-2008 RX-8, the barometric pressure, which is normally applied on a small hose (A) connected to the metering oil
How to Select Valve Springs for Flat Tappet Cams
It is now necessary to select the spring that will best fit the cylinder head configuration. The following information is offered as a guideline only. 1) Flat Tappet cam/lifter applications (Street and Street/Strip) seat pressures: A. Small Block 105-125 lbs. seat pressure. B. Big Block 115-130 lbs. seat pressure (Note: Big Block applications
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.
Revised Cylinder Head Gasket and Head Bolts for Ford 2.3L Engine
Oil leaks and broken cylinder head bolts may occur if the head boltsare not properly tightened. The newest level of cylinder head gasketand cylinder head bolts are recommended any time cylinder head serviceis performed. The new cylinder head gasket and bolts require adifferent service procedure for all 1992 and earlier 2.3L engines. The new head
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”
Ford 3.8L, 3.9L and 4.2L Balance Shaft Information
To deal with the harmonics, engine designers often incorporate twobalance shafts rotating in opposite directions at twice engine speed.Equal size eccentric weights on these shafts are sized and phased sothat the inertial reaction to their counter-rotation cancels out in thehorizontal plane, but adds in the vertical plane. This gives a netforce equal to, but 180
Understanding Spark Plug Heat Range
Depending on the engine modifications you’ve made, you’ll need to take a few extra factors into consideration before settling on the right spark plugs. These factors include spark plug seat design, thread length and diameter, and reach. One of the most important—and most misunderstood—factors in choosing aftermarket spark plugs is the heat range. What is
Timing Chain Service on Ford 3.0L Duratec Engines
You will have to use a dial indicator tofind the TDC position of the number one cylinder on Ford’s 3.0L Duratec to make sure the crankand camshafts are all properly aligned. Ford says that when the crankshaft keyway is positioned at roughlythe 11 o’clock position, the number one cylinder should be at TDC. Before you
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.
Sometimes You Get The Unexpected
I’m speaking of cam bearings, particularly those in OHV engineapplications. What brought this to my attention was what I would call a“textbook” case of cam bearing oil bleed-out that caused the rodbearings to fail. Don’t follow me? I’m not surprised. I’m certain manyof you may be scratching your heads wondering what I mean by that.