A Little Setback: Engine Mounting Strategies for Drag Racing
Just how important is engine mounting in a drag car? Very. Consider the case of a common rear-wheel drive production line car: Typically, mounts are laid out in a three-point […]
Mailbag: Understanding Internal Balance vs. External Balance Chevy Flexplates
Q: The 350 engine in my 1990 Chevy truck needs a flexplate. Some guys tell me it’s internally balanced, while others say it’s externally balanced. I don’t know which flexplate to […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Can I Use a Big Block Oil Pump on a Small Block Chevy?
A friend of mine suggested using a big-block oil pump on my small-block Chevy in order to get smoother flow and more volume with a stock volume pump? Will that […]
Street Ultra 582: Hardcore Horsepower’s 805 HP Pump Gas Big Chevy
Back in 1999, Mike Petralia at Hardcore Horsepower & Dyno Shop in Franklin, TN built a 556-cubic-inch big block Chevy test mule for Hot Rod magazine. That engine made 790 horsepower […]
Mailbag: X303 or E303 — Considering Valve Clearance When Selecting a Ford Cam
Q: I have a 1989 5.0L Mustang, and I recently purchased a Ford Performance X303-grind cam for it. I have some questions concerning valve clearance. Can I run stock pistons with this […]
Infographic: Cylinder Head Torque Sequences for Ford 6 & V6 Engines
We’ve discussed previously what a drag following rules can sometimes be. We don’t always like doing what we’re supposed to. But when it comes to torque sequences and recommended torque […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: How to Set Preload on Hydraulic Lifters — and Why It’s Important!
I just installed a new cam in my small block Chevy. The engine runs great, but I’ve noticed that at idle and at some cruising speeds the engine makes a […]
Mailbag: The Mystery of the 4,000 RPM Power Drop-Off
Q: I have a Chevy 350, bored .060-inch over. It has TRW forged flat top pistons, 230-degree duration (at .050-inch lift)/.560-inch lift COMP Cams roller cam run straight up, and iron […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: What You Need to Know About Ethanol, Fuel Blends & Your Fuel Line
I’m hearing all kinds of things about ethanol in fuel that will destroy a normal rubber fuel line. Should I change the fuel line in my car? I’ve heard that […]
How to Load Trailers Safely and Help Prevent Catastrophe
Very bad things can happen when we load trailers improperly. We were reminded of this fact after seeing video of U-Haul’s trailer-sway demonstration at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Conference […]