How do I tell the correct heat range spark plug for an engine? – Mark S. Jeff Smith: Simple questions sometimes require a bit longer answers. This is one of those cases. Let’s start with a typical street engine. For a stock engine, the answer is simply to use the recommended plug for the application. Clearly,
A transmission jack is a must-have tool if you’re removing or installing a transmission. Now, while a lot of gearheads have made-do with improvised solutions for hoisting/moving a transmission, the fact is, a good transmission jack isn’t that expensive—and the consequences for a failed homebrew setup can be disastrous for both you and your transmission.
If you’re researching electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems, you’ve probably come across the terms speed density and mass air flow (MAF). These are the two most prevalent types of fuel injection metering methods that an EFI system uses to calculate air/fuel ratio. (Some vehicles even use a combination of the two.) Though there is other
Any builder familiar with late model engines knows that an engine’s computer control system monitors both camshaft and crankshaft position in order to achieve correct spark and fuel delivery. Many crankshafts feature a press-fit toothed timing wheel, referred to as a reluctor wheel. A magnet sensor mounted stationary in the block is aligned to the
In today’s video, engine builder Richard Holdener is going to show you the dyno results of a previously modified 5.0L Ford engine before and after a cam swap (and unplanned valve spring replacement). Before the cam swap, Holdener is starting with an engine constructed of a BluePrint Engines 306 cubic-inch short block crate engine (a
Want to swap a Modular or Windsor Ford engine under your hood, but aren’t sure it will fit? Well, the folks at Ford Performance are here to help you out. They put together a series of images containing the external dimensions of a few of Ford’s most common engines, including the 302/351 Windsor, 4.6L Modular,
Piston rings have a dictionary all to themselves, and it’s important to be familiar with the terms before you begin an engine build. The piston pros at Wiseco put together this short glossary of important piston ring terminology so you’re in the loop…err…ring, when it’s time to install your pistons. Piston Ring Glossary of Terms Axial
The Ford engine family tree has a lot of branches. You’ve got the venerable Windsor small block, plus the 385-series and FE-series big block branches, along with a trio of 351 engines—the 351 Windsor, Cleveland, and Modified. We’re now into the overhead-cam Modular motors, which advanced the Ford V8 into the 21st century. So, we thought
If you’re into cars, then there’s a good chance that at some point you have wanted a muscle car. Unfortunately, the days of picking up a popular model on the cheap and driving away with it are long gone. Still, the lure of rolling down the road in muscle-car coolness is a powerful motivator. What
Adding big power to your car regularly comes with consequences. Hardware that normally doesn’t flinch is suddenly hard pressed to keep up with the demand. Add big, sticky tires and before you know it—unanticipated carnage. Rear axles are regularly taxed to the max under such circumstances. If your car has a narrowed rear end or
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