When building or repairing an engine, one of the first decisions a builder or buyer often faces is whether to use forged or cast components. This choice influences performance, durability, cost, and the overall behavior of the engine. While both manufacturing methods produce essential engine parts, they deliver different mechanical characteristics and applications. Understanding these … Read more
Proper lubrication is the lifeblood of any internal combustion engine. While oil pumps, filters, and oil pans are well known to most drivers, the internal oil passages inside the engine block often go unnoticed. These precisely engineered channels play a crucial role in delivering oil exactly where it is needed, ensuring smooth operation, reduced friction, … Read more
Engine balance is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of internal combustion engine design. While many drivers focus on horsepower, torque, or fuel efficiency, the smoothness, durability, and reliability of an engine largely depend on how well it is balanced. At the heart of this balance lies the crankshaft and, more specifically, … Read more
When choosing or rebuilding an engine, one of the most important — yet often misunderstood — design differences is whether the engine block is sleeveless or sleeved. This distinction affects durability, repairability, cooling efficiency, and overall engine performance. Understanding how each design works helps vehicle owners, mechanics, and performance enthusiasts make better long-term decisions. This … Read more
The engine block is literally the heart of your vehicle’s engine, housing essential components like cylinders, pistons, and coolant passages. A cracked engine block can lead to serious mechanical failure, costly repairs, and even total engine replacement. Understanding how engine blocks crack, the root causes, and the early symptoms can help vehicle owners act before … Read more
Rocker arms are critical components of an internal combustion engine’s valvetrain. They transfer motion from the camshaft (via pushrods or directly) to the engine valves, controlling valve lift, timing, and overall engine breathing. While rocker arms may look simple, their material and design have a major influence on durability, engine performance, and reliability.Today, the most … Read more
The valve train of an internal combustion engine is a complex system where many parts must work in perfect harmony. Two of the most important components in this mechanism are rocker arms and tappets (lifters). They transfer the camshaft’s rotational motion into linear motion to open and close the engine’s valves. When either part begins … Read more
In internal-combustion engines, especially pushrod (OHV) engines, tappets — also called valve lifters — play a critical role: they translate the motion of the camshaft into motion that opens or closes the engine’s valves. But not all tappets are built the same. Broadly speaking, there are two major categories: hydraulic tappets and solid (mechanical) tappets. … Read more
Modern internal-combustion engines are full of moving parts — pistons, camshafts, valves — and among the unsung heroes of the valve train are the humble tappets and rocker arms. Although small, these components play a critical role in translating the camshaft’s motion into the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. In this … Read more