Pounding and forcing thin metal sections into shapes that humans want and need has a long history. While there is disagreement about exactly when and where people began to work with metals, it was certainly in prehistoric times and began with soft … [Click here to read more...]
How to Build Racing Engines: Exhaust Systems
All top engine builders recognize that the exhaust system exerts tremendous influence on engine performance, particularly with regard to breathing efficiency and torque curve positioning within the required RPM range. Thoughtful exhaust tuning can … [Click here to read more...]
Holley Carburetor Operation for Rebuilds
Holley 4-barrel carburetors are dual-stage, downdraft units. A dualstage carb has a primary side that supplies the air/fuel mixture throughout the entire stage of engine operation, and a secondary side that operates only when the engine demands a … [Click here to read more...]
How to Blueprint Engines: Connecting Rods Guide
Connecting rods are placed under more stress than any other component in the engine. Selecting the strongest rod for a performance target is absolutely essential. You have a variety of materials to choose from: powdered metal, forged steel, aluminum, … [Click here to read more...]
Drag Racing Traction: Suggestions for a More Consistent and Winning Car
At the beginning of my 40-plus years of drag racing, someone with a fairly consistent car and good starting-line reflexes could win his or her share of drag races as I did on national, state, and local levels. When I first started drag racing 60-foot … [Click here to read more...]
How to Build Racing Engines: Engine Bearings Guide
Virtually all modern engines use bearing shell inserts for the crankshaft, rods, and camshaft. Mains and rods use a split bearing with upper and lower half-shells. Cam bearings are mostly single-piece, ring-style inserts that are pressed in place … [Click here to read more...]
Air Induction Basics to Increase Horsepower
We are dealing with an air breathing heat engine here, so let’s start off with the air our engine has to work with. At what we call Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) conditions, atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.696 psi (1,013 millibars … [Click here to read more...]
How to Check for Clearance When Rebuilding an Engine
Main Bearings Using an outside micrometer, carefully measure the crankshaft’s main journal diameters and record the measurements. Set up a bore gauge to this measurement and adjust the gauge dial to the zero mark. Install the upper and lower main … [Click here to read more...]
Muscle Car Handling Upgrades: Sway Bars
You may be thinking, “It’s about time he got to sway bars!” They’re normally one of the first things you think about when it comes to parts designed to improve handling performance. They certainly are important, but sway bars are tuning aids and you … [Click here to read more...]
Tools and Equipment for Rebuilding a Holley Carburetor
Carburetor service requires a selection of conventional hand tools as well as a select number of specialty tools. Many specialty tools are available from Holley as well as popular aftermarket suppliers, such as Summit Racing and Jegs. Having all of … [Click here to read more...]