Quickly, what does a Porsche 911 and a 1961 Pontiac Tempest have in common? If you said “they both have a transaxle,” then you probably read the headline of this article. In most cases, a transaxle is a single unit that houses both the transmission and the axle assembly—simple to describe, but mechanically complex. Think
A cranky carburetor can lead to a number of problems—excessive fuel consumption, rough idle, hard starting, and more. We covered some of these issues in our Carb Detective and Carb Checklist posts. While a more-accurate diagnosis of carburetor issues may require more time, tools, and patience, there are few simple, quick tests that will help you
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We work with the Summit Racing tech department to help you tackle your auto-related conundrums. In this week’s Mailbag, we’re helping a reader find low-end power in a rebuilt 1970 Olds Cutlass. Q: A friend and I are rebuilding a 1970 Olds Cutlass. It has a 350 engine with 111,000 miles, and
A rusted, seized bolt or nut can turn an easy project into a nightmare. In fact, mechanics have been known to hold a lucky rabbit’s foot or refuse to work on Friday the 13th for that very reason. But removing a stuck bolt doesn’t rely on luck—it relies on the proper preparation and tools. Plan
I have a Pro Street Camaro with a big-block Chevy, TH400, Dana 60 and 4.30 gears. I just bought this car a few months ago. The gear ratio is what the previous owner told me it had. At approximately 50 mph I’m at 3,000 rpm. I’m running a 31-inch tall tire. How fast can I
Returnless fuel systems are becoming more common in new vehicles. As we learned in a recent Jeff Smith Ask Away! column, the increased use is due in part to tightening federal environmental regulations. Does that mean a returnless system is better for your engine than an earlier, return-style setup? It’s an important question to answer, especially
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We work with the Summit Racing tech department to help you tackle your auto-related conundrums. In this week’s Mailbag, we’re helping a reader find low-end power in his ’70 Dodge Charger. Q: I have a 1970 Dodge Charger that weighs 3,700 pounds. It has a 3.91 posi rear axle and an 8:1
Going to a junkyard is gearhead rite-of-passage. Whether it’s to save money, source rare parts, or repurpose components for a custom build, every experienced wrencher has made at least one trip to a scrapyard. A junkyard is essentially a big field filled with wrecked vehicles that you pay money to remove parts from. Everything on
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We work with the Summit Racing tech department to help you tackle your auto-related conundrums. In this week’s Mailbag, we’re helping a reader solve a diesling problem where he can’t get his engine to shut off. Q: I have a 1987 Camaro with a 305 4-barrel. I am having problems getting the
I just bought a ’68 Olds Cutlass from a local guy. It’s in really great shape and I got a good deal because the previous owner was fed up with an electrical problem. He was straight with me – he said that sometimes you’d be driving down the road and the whole car would just
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