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Sign up for our E-newsletterCLEARANCES VS. CAVITATION EROSION Cavitation erosion of a bearing occurs when rapid movement of the shaft away from the bearing surface causes vapor bubbles to form in the oil film. When these bubbles break, the resulting force causes erosion of the bearing soft overlay layer. Appearance and location of cavitation erosion will differ with operating [...]
Tech Explained
RACE BEARING TECH (Part 1)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 1, 2009 ·
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RACE BEARING TECH The bearing gurus at Clevite share insight regarding current and future rod and main bearing development. Installed bearing sets create a slightly eccentric bore, which promotes oil film capture and enables the rotational movement of the shaft to generate a hydroplane of oil film around the circumference. Bearing crush is critical to [...]
LS ENGINE TECH (Part 1)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 1, 2009 ·
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LS ENGINE TECH The current new generations of GM engines are here to stay and represent the hot ticket for today’s and tomorrow’s hot-dog smallblocks for both street performance and racing applications. It’s time to get up to speed. by Mike Mavrigian photos by author LS6 aluminum 5.7L block. LS2 aluminum 6.0L block. The Gen [...]
THREADED FASTENER GRADES (Part 4)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 29, 2009 ·
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THREADED FASTENER GRADES (Part 3)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 29, 2009 ·
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CRITICAL: BUY QUALITY Performance aftermarket fastener manufacturers offer much higher tensile strength fasteners that are specifically designed for racing applications. ARP, for example, offers threaded fasteners that boast 170,000 psi, 190,000 psi and 220,000 psi. In other words, instead of hitting the local hardware store or Internet source for imported who-knows-what-or-where-they-came-from fasteners, stick with reputable [...]
THREADED FASTENER GRADES (Part 2)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 29, 2009 ·
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METRIC NUT GRADES The grade system for nuts is a number that represents 1/10 of the specified proof load stress (in kgf/mm2). The proof load stress corresponds to the minimum tensile strength of the highest grade bolt that can be used with that nut. GRADE CAUTION Although it is common for Grade 5 bolts to [...]
THREADED FASTENER GRADES (Part 1)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 29, 2009 ·
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THREADED FASTENER GRADES by Mike Mavrigian photos by author Grade 5 steel bolt. Three radial line marks. Theoretically, this bolt will feature a 120,000 psi minimum tensile strength. The grade label specifies the minimum strength properties the fastener is intended to meet. Industrial fasteners are also marked with a label that identifies the maker of [...]
TUBE-PLUMBING WITH –AN TUBE NUTS AND TUBE SLEEVES (Part 2)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 29, 2009 ·
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Routing the plug wires in aluminum tubing for this custom engine was simply an exercise in “being different.” The tube nuts and sleeves that meet the spark plug boots are for cosmetics only (the nuts and sleeves are epoxied in place). Straight 3/8-inch tubing runs from the fuel log to the carburetor inlets. Since I [...]
TUBE-PLUMBING WITH –AN TUBE NUTS AND TUBE SLEEVES (Part 1)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 29, 2009 ·
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TUBE-PLUMBING WITH –AN TUBE NUTS AND TUBE SLEEVES by Mike Mavrigian photos by author If hard lines are preferred to flexible hose, but you want to connect using AN 37-degree seating/sealing, you’ll use tube nuts and tube flares on metal tubing. The hard line (steel, aluminum or stainless steel) must be flared, using a 37-degree [...]
Race Rings (Part 2)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
May 28, 2009 ·
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In an effort to fit the ring package into an ever-decreasing available piston area, oil rings are getting thinner, to the tune of 2mm or so. Top rings in Cup applications are being used in the 0.8mm-thickness range. Moly-faced top rings continue to be popular due to increased ring lubricity and heat reduction. Nitrided rings [...]