12 Tips for Making Your Vehicle Easier to Work On
Recently we shared a number of tips on things you can do while you’re on Covid Lockdown. Some of those tips included the use of hose caps over sheet metal […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Troubleshooting Small Block Chevy Compression Loss
I recently stripped down my 350 small-block Chevy because of loss of compression over the last three years. In 5,000 miles and three different checks of the cranking compression, it […]
Video: How to Polish a Thrust Bearing (and Why You’d Want to in the First Place!)
In an earlier video, we covered the process of checking crankshaft end play. As our partners at Summit Racing explained, crankshaft end play, or thrust, is a delicate balance. Too […]
Mailbag: 5 Things to Check When Swapping to Higher Lift Rockers
I have a 1970 Nova SS with a 11.5:1 compression, 355 cubic-inch small block. It has Sportsman II heads, a COMP Cams hydraulic camshaft (292 degrees advertised duration, .507 inches […]
How to Use a Dial-Back Timing Light
It’s a sign of the times when late model engines with distributorless ignition systems (DIS) no longer require the services of the ubiquitous timing light. But for the remainder of […]
Hot Rod Home School (Lesson #5): Firing Orders, Essential Formulas & Other Engine Basics
Next up on our quarantine classroom lesson plan: engine basics. “Engine basics” is a very broad term, and fans on Summit Racing’s Facebook page suggested covering things like firing orders […]
Hot Rod Home School (Lesson #4): Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Tools
It’s not as sexy as cracking open a hood and getting your hands dirty. However, the process of cleaning, maintaining, and otherwise taking care of shop tools was among the […]
Mailbag: Which Air Intake Tube Material is Better – Metal or Plastic?
Q: Is a plastic or metal intake tube better? … A: Air intake kits are a popular performance upgrade. They are affordable, easy to install, and provide noticeable gains over a […]
Idle Vehicles Can Spell Trouble for Some Hybrid Owners…Here’s How to Avoid Problems
Social distancing might be a good thing for mankind right now, but it’s proven to be troublesome for some hybrid vehicle owners. More specifically, it’s led to issues for hybrid […]
Hot Rod Home School (Lesson #2): How to Perform a Basic Tuneup
Lesson #2 in our Hot Rod Home School 101 course for beginning DIY mechanics: a basic tuneup. Again, these are the jobs fans on Summit Racing’s Facebook page helped identify […]