Cylinder Heads Archives - Page 2 of 8 - UnderhoodService
Understanding The Evolution Of Cylinder Head Seat And Guide Machines

Boy, have things changed! Do you remember the many generations of three-angle seat cutters and what we used to get by with? Grinding seats is still needed, but just 10 years ago we were grinding 80 percent of the seats. Though we still grind when necessary, today we cut 90 percent of the seats in the heads. In addition, we also need a good indicator for measuring valve seat runout after we cut the seats. Yes, we use a vacuum tester, but we still need to know what we are cutting for runout when machining seats.

Cylinder Head Design And Selection

Choosing the “right” cylinder heads for an engine build can make all the difference in an engine that delivers and one that falls short of its potential. Horsepower, torque and throttle response all depend on how well the cylinder heads, camshaft and induction system work together. Choose the right combination and you’ll build a winner. Choose the wrong combination and you’ll end up with a mismatch that never achieves what you set out to achieve.

How To Find And Fix Cracks

One of the essential elements of engine building is making sure heads, blocks, main bearing caps, crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, cams, timing gears, rocker arms and flywheels are free from cracks. If you’re doing a complete engine build, checking the intake and exhaust manifolds for cracks is also a good idea – and that includes plastic intake manifolds as well as cast iron and aluminum.

Improving the Head Gaskets, Fasteners Relationship

The relationship between head gaskets and head bolts is an intimate one. The clamping load applied by the head bolts is what allows the head gasket to maintain its seal. For this marriage to last, there has to be constant tension – not too much, otherwise the bolts may stretch or break, and not too

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Intake Manifold Gaskets: A Service Rundown

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OBD II Misfire And Diagnosis

When diagnosing misfires, it’s important to use tools that allow you to go beyond a simple code reader that displays a P03XX. Even an OEM-level scan tool can’t tell you what the firing voltage is or what the ignition pattern looks like. Nor can it tell you if the serial data is accurate or correct. For that kind of information you need a DVOM or a graphing multimeter/oscilloscope that can look at sensor voltages directly and display primary and secondary ignition patterns.

ASE A1 Test Prep: Cylinder Heads and Gaskets

Passing the ASE A1 can be difficult. Do not go into this test with the notion that this is an exam for engine rebuilders. Many of the tasks in the A1 task list are required every day at a general repair shop for top-end engine repairs. Here are some tips.

Head Gasket Q & A

One reason head gaskets fail is because of engine overheating. If the engine gets too hot, the cylinder head can swell to the point where it crushes the head gasket (usually between the cylinders because this is the thinnest point). The extruded material and/or cracked combustion armor then provides a leak path for coolant and/or combustion gases.

SBI Announces New Catalog Release

S.B. International Inc. (SBI), a premier worldwide supplier of cylinder head components, has announced the release of its 30th Anniversary-edition 2013 valve train parts catalog.

Cylinder Boring Tips

Lightweight block castings have become very prevalent in our market. Since the overall mass has been reduced, the controlled stresses have become an important factor in the block’s integrity. To ensure integrity, we must recreate that stress by using a Torque Plate when boring and honing.

Exploring the Service Needs of the Ford 4.0L V6 Engine

The 4.0l SOHC engine was found under the hood of many Ford SUVs and light trucks, as well as 2005-10 Mustangs.

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Damage Control: Spark Plug Removal Techniques On Ford Modular Engines

The problem of removing spark plugs from various Ford Modular engines lies with excessive carbon buildup on the plugs, especially on engines that have gone beyond an OEM-recommended replacement interval. This can cause a plug to break in the chamber during its removal, creating stress on the tech and additional labor time to remove the damaged component.