Do you think you know everything about engine rebuilding and cars? If you answered yes, you might want to buckle up and join our exciting automotive trivia contest. This quarter, I am giving you the chance to show off your knowledge and win amazing prizes. All you need to do to participate is answer all the questions and submit the pages back to me. On July 1, 2024, we will draw three winners for a one-year AERA Membership, and three runner-up winners will receive an AERA Fleece Jacket (limited sizes available). We will also be sending out AERA swag to other participants. Are you ready to rev ..read more

A Crankshaft Counterweight Discussion; GM’s 5.5L LT6 Corvette Engine: Bye-bye, pushrods; Cam Housing Bore for LS Engines: Is the cure more painful than the cause; Looking Fresh: New and improved training programs from AERA. Read the complete digital version of this issue, click on the cover above or go to https://engineprofessional.com/2024EPQ2 0W-8 and 0W-12 – Lake Speed Jr. Camshaft Housing Bore for LS Engines – Chuck Lynch Trivia Contest – Karen Tendering EREF Scholarships and Grants – Jim Rickoff GM’s New 5.5L Corvette Engine – Brian Roberts Preventative Maintenance – Nick Johnson A C ..read more

Factory OE and examples of specific aftermarket specifications By Mike Mavrigian Applying the correct tightening values for threaded engine fasteners is critical for any engine build. Listed here are both factory OEM values, some of which involve a torque-plus-angle tightening method, and OEM and aftermarket values which require only a tightening-by-torque (or by monitoring rod bolt stretch) approach. Especially with regard to main cap bolts, cylinder head bolts and connecting rod bolts, it is imperative to follow the correct tightening procedures depending on the use of OEM bolts or aftermark ..read more

By Fernando Curello If we could only tell a child that by simply joining an intake with an exhaust valve, we would get baby valves – ha, ha, ha! That would be a straightforward way to make them, but the fact is that the manufacturing of today’s engines valves is not an easy job. First, it begins with the highly specialized materials that are needed, and then followed up with the many processes that they must go through. The materials must be forged, heat treated, welded, machined, coated, etc. Every step of the way must ensure the highest quality of their finished dimensions, hardnesses, metal ..read more

By Dave Hagen UPDATE! The internal combustion engine (ICE) will never die! That’s a bold statement in today’s news world as most all you hear is “Go Green” and electric is the way to go. Well, I’m here to tell you, electric is not anywhere as green as all these folks and politicians trying to convince you it is. While I think most people are concerned about pollution, most successful investors all agree with one statement, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. Well, that’s basically what they’re telling us they’re going to do. I’ll leave it at that and leave a lengthy discussion of “go gree ..read more

Engine Pre-Oiling: Critical For Fresh Engines; Critical Fasteners: Reuse, Research, Rethink; Blow-By: Measurement and Detection; Fuel Is The Enemy: Impacting Engine Durability. Read the complete digital version of this issue, click on the cover above or go to https://engineprofessional.com/2024EPQ1 PRI 2023 was EPIC – Steve Fox Your Fuel Is The Enemy Of Your Engine – Lake Speed Jr. Blow-By Measurement and Detection – Chuck Lynch Honda 1.5L Turbocharged L15B7 Engine – Brian Roberts Turn Yourself Into a Prosis Pro/fessional – Rob Munro Engine Pre-Oiling – Mike Mavrigian Protect Your Computer and ..read more

EREF Engine Giveaway: 565 Big Block Chevy; Powersport Machine Work: Opportunities Abound; Head Gaskets for Forced Induction; Twisted Iron: Understanding Heavy-duty Cylinder Liners and Counterbores. Read the complete digital version of this issue, click on the cover above or go to https://engineprofessional.com/2023EPQ4 EREF Engine Build: 565 CID Big Block Chevy – Mike Mavrigian Liquid Hydrogen: Another step towards internal combustion usage – Brian Roberts Measurement: One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions – Chuck Lynch Opportunities with Powersport Machine Work – Rob Munro Head ..read more

What’s the Difference? By Brian Roberts Gaskets and seals as we all know are used to seal the engine. Looking at the high-performance world the gaskets and seals used are often designed differently to meet the demands of the increased HP and pressures. In this article we will look at the reasons and advantages to using a high-performance or specialty gasket on an engine. You may ask when should I use a performance or specialty gasket instead of a traditional aftermarket gasket? This is a great question and depends on several factors. What is the operating environment the gasket will see? (High ..read more

By Chuck Lynch with Scott Hoffman When I joined the Marine Corps, I was bewildered by the fact that every process, team, group, bathroom activity had an acronym. JJDIDTIEBUCKLE was an acronym that was stencil onto the riser plate of every stairwell. Justice, Judgment, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Endurance, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, Enthusiasm. Without knowledge, it’s tough to make solid judgment calls. Dr. Suess blessed us with FUBAR and SNAFU and we thank him for those as they were impactful in a good way and humorous at a time when tha ..read more

By Steve Scott Cracker Jack® and the Cummins® ISX engine have something in common – a surprise inside. Looking inside a Cummins ISX to see what surprises you may find could also be considered a treasure hunt… you may find several, or none. Here is an overview of some of the updates, and a few safety measures that may catch you off guard when repairing or rebuilding Cummins ISX engines. Cummins ISX engines have been around since the late ’90s and will continue to be produced and needing repairs for the foreseeable future. There have been multiple updates to these engines over the years. The ear ..read more