Ford 140 Cam #cs666

ARP Bolts and How They Are Made

Here is a very interesting and informative video about ARP Bolts

Video Tech Seminar: King Engine Bearings

Here is a great 4 part video for all you engine techies out there that are interested in increasing your knowledge about the "whys and what fors" about engine bearings. Why they wear out and why they fail and how to minimize the chances of bearing failure in your automotive engine. Propower Performance Parts has a complete inventory of King Bearings available at your request.









Let me know if this video was of any value to you by leaving a comment below.

Using Head Studs on 4.6 Ford Modular Engines with Power Adders!

It seems like in today’s high performance market power adders are the easiest way to make a lot of horsepower without completely rebuilding the engine. But added horsepower puts more stress on the bolts that hold the head to the block. Studs can solve this problem.

Boost Your Mustang 4.6 3v to an Impressive 466hp

I've been selling hardcore automotive racing engine parts for years. Dealing with professional engine builders, speed shops and individuals. Building a high horsepower engine is complicated, grueling, and sometimes catastrophic. A lot of people think there is nothing to it, but they're wrong.

Fun With A Magneto

Long before MSD boxes and other high tech electronics that are used today were even thought about, the way to get the "hottest" spark was to use a magneto. The higher the engine revved and the magneto spun, the hotter the "spark." We used to hand one to an unknowing person so that they grabbed the cap, then spin the gear a little by hand to give them a startling shock.

3/4 and Full Race Cams

Every once in awhile I still get a call from an old school racer asking about a camshaft for his hot rod. I can tell his age from his question.

"I want a cam that will give a little thump. You know: aaarrrrump, aaarrrump, aaarrrump. Not a full race cam, just a three-quarter."

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Pictures

At the Jag Dealership....

My friend Mike was the manager of the parts department at the Jaguar Dealer in Nashville back in the late seventies. The public could only gain access to the parts department  (in Jaguar talk that would be the Spares Depot) by walking through the showroom.

Mike got a phone order for a starter for a a 75 Jaguar (remember this was in 1979.) Mike explained to the customer that it would take a week or two (remember those days) because the started had to come from England. The total price was about $300.00 including s&h.

Comp Cams new CamQuest Cam Recommendation. Click on it!

How to Properly Prime Your Engine

From the phone calls that I receive I know that there are a lot of "engine Builders" who do not know how to properly prime an engine before start up. I know because they call with comments like "the cam must be defective because one lobe wore out with only 100 miles on it." Or these bearings are junk. They wore out in no time." In both cases when asked the builder admitted to not priming the engine before startup.

Melling has provided an excellent guide to proper oil pump priming for your viewing pleasure. Please look it over so we can stamp out some of the pre-oiling myths.

The Too Long Chevy Distributor

"Bob from Bob's Auto Tune," he said over the phone. "What's my discount price on a Mallory distributor?" He added, "Small block Chevy and I need a bronze gear 'cause I'm running a billet roller cam."

Ten minutes later he picked it up. Ripped apart the box and checked the distributor from one end to the other. Checked out the gear, too.

The Case of the Defective Manifold

He bought an Edelbrock intake manifold for his mid '70s Pontiac 400. I got the call.

"Hey, I bought an intake for a Pontiac 400 yesterday and it's defective. I'd like to return it and exchange for a good one."
"What seems to be the problem?" I asked.

Always Ask For the ADD-ON Sale

I was talking about selling parts with a friend of mine the other day and we both agreed that one of the best ways to improve your bottom line was to let the customer know the other items he can get from you to complete the install. It's very hard to get countermen to "lean" on a customer a little bit, but if it's not done you can end up with an irate buyer.

Another Engine Building Tip

I really didn't start this blog as a "how to" guide on engine building. Over the years I have found that each engine builder has his own set of guidelines that he follows and he is usually NOT receptive to anything "new" or different. As a parts man, the worst thing I can do is get an engine builder to try something new, because if the engine fails for any reason it will be because he tried that new item; whether it was involved or not!

Today I received an email asking about head gasket thickness to change effective compression ratio. NetGaskets has head gaskets available in more sizes than anybody and at reasonable prices.
If you need a thicker gasket to reduce your CR a small amount or a thinner one to make it higher NetGaskets is the place to go!

Determine your compression ratio or see how changing the gasket thickness will affect your CR
Send a comment if you liked this post!

And how do YOU file fit rings?

I was talking to my friend Ray Akerly, the ring guru and namesake of Akerly & Childs Rings, about some of our experiences over the years. I was telling Ray about the first engine I built. I had been selling high performance add-ons for a few years and finally had an opportunity to build an engine when the 260 in my 63.5 Falcon Futura Sprint took a crap. I was getting water in the oil, as I explained to my wife, and I NEEDED to replace the engine.

Car Club Hosting Car Show

Last week I went to the eye doctor for my annual check up and he said," Dave, it's time to upgrade those glasses."
I looked over some of the frames he had on display with prices ranging from $300.00 and up and decided I would "shop around," before making a choice.
While I was in BJ's, picking up my monthly supply of paper towels, I stopped by the optical department to look over the frames they had available and there is where I met Norman Goodman. Norm seemed like the typical optician until I mentioned that I was in the automotive high performance business and then his eyes came alive as we spoke about his current Corvette. Norm is in a car club and they are having a car show on October 30th. Norm would like all you car enthusiasts to show up and have a good time so I included a copy of the flyer with this post.

If you go be sure to look Norm up and tell him Big Dave sent you!
Maroone Chevrolet Halloween Car Show
Let me know if you are going! I expect to be there with Bill Devine and his turbocharged Corvette.

Talking About Holley Carbs

I was working with one of the Holley techs at the NHRA Sports Nationals years ago when it was still being held at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky. We were offering free tech advice and a quick carburetor "go thru" for racers who were having carb problems.
The third guy of the morning brought up his 800 cfm double pumper and drawled, "she just won't idle at a steady rpm."

Selling Holley Carburetors

Over the years I have sold thousands of Holley Carburetors. Inevitably some would be returned as "alleged" defectives. Usually this meant that the customer didn't know how to properly install the thing. I got used to explaining the proper installation procedure every time I received the call.
need racing and tuning tips?  CLICK HERE
"Did you check for vaccuum leaks?"
That eliminated about 40% of the problems.
"Did you set the fuel bowl level?"
That eliminated another 40%.
"Did you install a new in-line fuel filter?"
That eliminated most of the rest.
But on one particularly hot summer day I received a call about an "alleged" defective carburetor that perplexed me for a few seconds until I realized the significance of the callers question.

Racers: Are you always looking for that little edge?

I stumbled across a little website that has a ton of info available for racers. There are a bunch of technical items including Air Flow, Reading Spark Plugs, Engine Building, Head Porting and Cheating. There is plenty of information on Getting and Maintaining Sponsors and Sponsorship Programs. And there are all sorts of Driving Tips. Things that will make you a better driver, better owner and better builder.
I think we all are looking for any tips that will give us a little edge and this information might be just what you need.
You can CLICK HERE to get it!
Good Luck and Happy Motoring!
Dave

as always, please send your comments.