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Father's Day Sale!
Celebrate Dad this year by giving him books on his favorite cars and subjects! Does he have a project car in the garage? Is he a fan of drag racing, hot rods or barn finds? Does he enjoy reading automotive history books? Search our website; we're sure to have what he needs. From now...
Ford Differentials: How to Convert 8.8-Inch Axle Ends
by Joe Palazzolo (Taken from Ford Differentials: How to Rebuild the 8.8 and 9 Inch by Joe Palazzolo) A common and effective upgrade is to replace the Ford 8.8-inch axle’s semi-float axle shaft retention with the Ford 9-inch-style wheel-end retention for superior strength in high-performance applications. This requires modifications to the axle...
Ford Differentials: How to Arrange Clutch Pack
by Joe Palazzolo (Taken from Ford Differentials: How to Rebuild the 8.8 and 9 Inch by Joe Palazzolo) Over the years, clutch plates and steel reaction plates have come in many different orders. The most recent and effective is shown here (left) (from the gear to the shim): side gear, steel...
BMW M20 Timing Belt Change
by Robert Bowen (Taken from BMW 3-Series (E30) Performance Guide 1982-1994 by Robert Bowen) Timing belt changes are a frequent fact of M20 ownership. It’s not hard to do on your own if you have a few hours. 1. Start by draining and removing the radiator, cooling fan, hoses,...
BMW E30 Alignment
by Robert Bowen (Taken from BMW 3-Series (E30) Performance Guide 1982-1994 by Robert Bowen) Simply changing the way the wheels are aligned to the centerline of the car and to the road is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get better handling from any car. This goes double...
BMW E30 Coil-Over Installation
by Robert Bowen (Taken from BMW 3-Series (E30) Performance Guide 1982-1994 by Robert Bowen) Vorshlag Motorsports was kind enough to help in this installation of AST coil-overs in an E30. Here is a comparison of the AST adjustable shocks and spherical bearing mounts (top) and the stock rear shocks...
BMW E30 Transmission Swaps
by Robert Bowen (Taken from BMW 3-Series (E30) Performance Guide 1982-1994 by Robert Bowen) There are two main reasons to swap transmissions in an E30: to exchange one worn transmission for a better one or to change from an automatic to a manual (more preferred). FYI, the first scenario...
CarTech authors on MotorMouth Radio
Our authors aren’t always behind the computer or under the hood—they find time for camaraderie and promotion, too! Tim Remus, Steve Reyes and Steve Magnate recently appeared on automotive talk show, MotorMouth Radio, in New York City. Listen to their interviews with show hosts Ray Guarino and Chris Switzer. ...
Rebuild Basics for Pontiac Short-Blocks
By Rocky Rotella The traditional Pontiac V-8 engine's short block has some unique characteristics. If you're planning to rebuild an engine you've already got, or you're considering a Pontiac V-8 purchase in the near future, there are some important engine block, crankshaft, and connecting rod information you should be aware...
Repair a Crack in a Corvette’s Bodywork
by Daniel Burrill with Jeffrey Zurschmeide (Taken from How to Fabricate Automotive Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Parts by Daniel Burrill with Jeffrey Zurschmeide) Fiberglass automotive bodies are lightweight and resilient but not indestructible. When a fiberglass body makes contact with a solid, heavy object, it doesn’t bend, divot, or crease like steel...
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
Owner NameBryan FlattemHome TownMinneapolis, MN Vehicle Year, Make & Model1972 Chevrolet Chevelle MalibuHow long have you owned this vehicle?since 2000Where/how did you find this vehicleThis was originally my wife's aunt's car. She had it in high school and parked it in the 1980s when she bought an early Mustang. It...
Convert from Cathedral to Rectangular Port
by David Grasso (Taken from High-Performance GM LS-Series Cylinder Head Guide by David Grasso) The intake manifold is the most important element in swapping from a cathedral to a rectangular port head. To match the runners, this factory LS3 (PN 12610434) or an L76 manifold are the most popular. It is...
Quick-Ratio Steering Box Installation
by Cole Quinnell (Taken from Chevelle Performance Projects : 1964-1972 by Cole Quinnell) If you’re increasing engine output, suspension performance, and braking power, you need a steering system that keeps up with vastly improved vehicle performance. While a rack-and-pinion steering system provides a giant leap in steering precision, it is also...
MIG Butt Welding
Matt Joseph’s CarTech Blog Entry for Sheet Metal Forming and Fabrication A Tip for Successfully MIG Butt Welding Light Gage Sheet Steel Useful Basics Making strong, attractive MIG butt welds in body panels is essential to doing great panel work, unless you’re blessed with an expensive TIG weldor and the...
Reader Rides: 1966 Ford Mustang GT
Owner NameDan UtechtHome TownStacy, MN Vehicle Year, Make & Model1966 Ford Mustang GTHow long have you owned this vehicle?Since 2005Where/how did you find this vehicleIn the Auto TraderAny projects planned for this vehicle in the future?Disc brake conversion with parts from a 69 Mustang factory set up. Also, the car...
Chevelle Author Competes in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational
Cole Quinnell, author of Chevelle Performance Projects 1964-1972, competed in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational held at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada, on November 3, 2012. Driving his 1966 Chevelle that’s profiled in the book, Quinnell entered all segments of the competition, which included road rally, autocross, speed...
Painting Your Car: How to Spray Paint
by Pat Ganahl (Taken from How to Paint Your Car on a Budget by Pat Ganahl) The only way to learn how to spray paint is to do it. Practice. Make runs and drips. Make orange peel. Make fisheyes. Keep practicing until you start to get a feel for the spraying process:...
The Hairy Olds
Hairy Olds was another brain child of the ever unconventional George Hurst. This twin-engine, four-wheel-drive beast was certainly aptly named. Its cockpit had dual shifters and dual gas pedals to control two massive fuel-injected and supercharged 425-ci Oldsmobile V-8s. (Photo Courtesy Mark Fletcher) The original Hairy Olds was recreated and...
Berejik, The Smothers Brothers and Oldsmobile
Dick Smothers, of the Tom and Dick Smothers comedy team, was the driving force behind their hit television series and their racing ventures. Willard Wright was credited with helping put Dick behind the wheel of an Oldsmobile in 1968, prior to the brothers going on to compete with this 350-powered...
The Turbo-Hydramatic Transmission: The Great Equalizer
Bob “Beaver” Butter’s G/S Wackey Wagon was powered by a 270-horse 283 with a 4-speed. The wagon was originally a four-door sedan owned by the adventurist Jeff Zaborowsky and Bill Gracik. (Photo Courtesy Bill Truby) I don’t know where all those tri-five Chevy sedan deliveries would have been without the...
George Cureton and Tokyo Rose
George Cureton’s NHRA World Champion Tokyo Rose coming hard off the line at Cecil County, 1968. George was a great driver who relied on the best parts to help earn his 1967 championship crown. (Photo Courtesy Michael Mihalko) World Champion George Cureton was a bit of a late bloomer in...
Douglas & Forys: Scientist Racers
Graham Douglas (left) and Ed Forys pose proudly with their 1960 Pontiac after taking Winternationals gold. The forethought these two put into their racing venture was like no other and was reflected in the percentage of wins during their brief career. Dyno-tuned by Geraghty in Glendale, California, the 389 showed...
Chevy 348/409 Overheating
{{widget type="homewidgets/productlink" headline="Want More? Buy:" product="product/467"}} by John Carollo (Taken from How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines by John Carollo) Overheating can come from a number of sources. It’s all about transferring heat away from the system and related parts and assemblies. On 348/409 engines, users have reported these problems...
GTO Paint Removal RestorationTechnique
Taken From: How to Restore Your Pontiac GTO 1964 - 1974Written By: Don Keefe If you enjoy this tech tip, How to Restore Your Pontiac GTO 1964 - 1974 doesn't just cover the restoration of engines and drivelines, bodywork, interior and trim, suspension, brakes, chassis, and steering, it shows you...
