Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Figuring Piston-to-Deck with Protruding Pistons
I’m building a Chevy 350 engine for my son’s circle track race car. I started out with a 0.040-over block that I think has been severely decked but I’m not […]
How to Diagnose Common Fastener Failures
Your metal automotive fasteners can fail one of six ways. And, according to our friends ARP—an industry leader in fastener technology—each type of metallurgical failure has a unique, identifiable characteristic. […]
Sounds Like Trouble: A Quick Guide to Diagnosing Common Engine Noises
What do you hear when you listen to your engine? The primal roar of high performance? Or is it more like a cry for help? OK, we never want to think of our engines […]
Video: A Closer Look at Flexplates
Watch this video from our friends at TCI Auto to better understand a flexplate’s role in automatic transmission operation. You learn how the flexplate connects the torque converter to the engine’s crankshaft, functioning […]
Video: Why Wheel Spacers Might Be the Right Option for Your Ride
Can’t find the wheels you want in the correct backspacing for your vehicle? Need extra clearance for your brake caliper? Then you might want to consider wheel spacers or wheel […]
Cam for the Ram! 360 Magnum Cam Upgrade
What does the Dodge Magnum 360 have in common with the GM LS engine family? In fact, what does a Magnum 360 (or smaller 5.2L 318) have in common with […]
Spring Time: What’s the Difference Between a Coil Spring and Leaf Spring?
While most gearheads probably already know the difference between a leaf spring and a coil spring in a car or truck suspension, we wanted to provide a simple 101 for […]
Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Camshaft and Cylinder Head Recommendations for a Ford Windsor 302
I have a 302 Windsor V8 EFI engine that I converted to a 600 cfm carburetor with a Street Warrior intake manifold. It runs smooth but seems lazy. I’m now […]
Gear Oil 101: Which Lube is Right for Your Manual Transmission?
Similar to what we discussed in our Automatic Transmission Fluid 101 post, selecting the right gear oil for your manual transmission isn’t as easy as it might seem. There are […]
Mopar 499 Street Hero (Part 3): Cylinder Heads, Valvetrain & External Parts
Editor’s Note: Mike Mavrigian has been building and writing about engines almost as long as there has been internal combustion. Mike’s shop, Birchwood Automotive, specializes in street performance and racing […]