CanadianRacingOnline.com

CanadianRacingOnline.com Section => Race Setups => Engine => Topic started by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 24, 2009, 07:24:37 PM

Title: Engine Question
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 24, 2009, 07:24:37 PM
OK this question is meant for people that driver in weekly series not NCATS but at a local track.

What does one do to the engine after each race. what I mean you finshed the race and you had no engine problems. What do you do the engine when you get back to the shop. I'm assuming you don't do a complete tare down and put it back together. What are basic things you would look for.

example how often do you change the spark plug. Something a long those lines.

DO you have some time of scedule you look at to say what needs t be checked or replaced?



Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: Thayne on February 24, 2009, 10:35:57 PM
On the 4 cyl we usually checked valve lash every week, ont he new car i am sure there is more and we will learn what has to be checked week in and week out.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 24, 2009, 10:40:00 PM
So from week to week there really is not much to check unless something breaks in the engine. So how often would you do a tare down on a engine or would you if you had no issues when racing or the track asking you to do it.

Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: Bake82 on February 25, 2009, 07:58:17 AM
That's not entirely true Evan.  I think it goes for most people(I would hope) that you go over your entire car every week.  The race cars vibrate alot and alot of bolts can and do come loose.  I think it's important to check every bolt between weeks, ensure you have the proper oil level and change it every few weeks, proper fluid levels everywhere else.

If nothing breaks, it's simply just checking stuff/making the car better.  I learnt the hardway last year, that if something continues to break, there is a reason why, and you should look for that reason instead of simply continueing to replace those parts!  Should be common sense, guess I was oblivious to it!!

Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 25, 2009, 08:49:39 AM
use a multi page check list for the whole car after each rac. also up on jack stands to relax suspinsion, on the engine if no problems just fluid levels, will do a plug check at the track during hot laps. change out valve spring once during the year and oil change every second race and cut the filter open to see if any damage is occuring
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 25, 2009, 10:17:00 AM
I don't know how you guys do this and work a full time job and I for one thank you for doing this as I enjoy racing and I know you pay out of your own pocket.

Good Luck to all in 2009

Evan
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 25, 2009, 11:06:50 AM
to quote ricky booby "i wanna go fast"
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: Thayne on February 25, 2009, 11:59:54 AM
haha you do what it takes....blt checks are a necessity but I thought evan just said engine. We did a tear down and had our head sent out to be cleaned every 6 races. If you get rid of the carbon you really feel the horsepower gain. Oil every other week is a necessity and we always like to check the rockers when we take the head off just to make sure there isn't excessive wear.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 25, 2009, 02:06:47 PM
thayne to avoid pulling the head try a motorvac caron cleaning. i have did that on a 4.3 before teardown and was blown away by how much carbon was gone. then i bought the machine.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 25, 2009, 02:50:17 PM
Longstreet what do they cost new? I see them listed around 1300.00+ US.


Places will do this for your car at a garage for about 175.00+


The guy in the video says this every year. I don't think I would save that much in gas.

[youtube=425,350]o4bbMCOZ9aw[/youtube]

motorvac caron cleaning.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: Thayne on February 25, 2009, 02:56:29 PM
my dad has one (we own a shop) we tried it once on the lil 4 banger and weren't that thrilled...we have had better results on bigger displacement engine..don't know why...
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 25, 2009, 04:51:36 PM
how long did you let it run on the four banger, 30 mins?
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 25, 2009, 04:59:56 PM
Longstreet what do they cost new? I see them listed around 1300.00+ US.


Places will do this for your car at a garage for about 175.00+


The guy in the video says this every year. I don't think I would save that much in gas.

[youtube=425,350]o4bbMCOZ9aw[/youtube]

motorvac caron cleaning.
this guys is a knob, it will do that but he left out the most important function, it will remove a alrge part of the carbon from the engine itself. years ago mechanics told us to take the car on a highway run to blow out the carbon, this does not work since the gas co. had to remoce parrifin additives, now the carbon sticks to the piston the valve ect. only two ways to get it out chemically lika this or as thayne said with his mini. disassembly and clean.i recommended to my customers about every 2-3 years or 30000kms. you will not save enough in fuel to offset the cost but it will extend the life of your engine.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 25, 2009, 05:04:01 PM
do most garages have this or would you have to call around to find one that does?
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: Thayne on February 25, 2009, 05:12:26 PM
longstreet, i am not sure, my dad did it....I wasn;t there that night...haha I play baseball too in a mens fastball league....

I can ask him tonight though...
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 26, 2009, 08:34:23 AM
do most garages have this or would you have to call around to find one that does?
it appears thaynes dad does, but ask around and dont let them sell you the quicky verision do thru the pcv valve.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: napa55 on February 26, 2009, 07:01:14 PM
cut the filter open to see if any damage is occuring

Quick and easy trick with the oil filter, attach a small magnet to the filter with a gear clamp, then when you cut open the filter all the iron particles will be stuck to the side of the filter where the magnet is.  I have used the magnets that are bonded to the inside of G.M. diff covers, works great!!
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: longstreet on February 27, 2009, 10:43:04 AM
yeah i even put themunder the valve covers.
Title: Re: Engine Question
Post by: boas51 on April 11, 2009, 11:22:28 AM

Routine Maintenance Sheet

Car ______________________
_______________ Ride heights                #   date
_______________ Scale                  ___   _________
_______________ Toe out
_______________ Wash car - wash out radiator      ___   _________
_______________ Battery charged
_______________ Engine oil/filter            ___   _________
_______________ Coolant
_______________ Power steering fluid            ___   _________
_______________ Transmission oil
_______________ Differential oil               ___   _________
_______________ Grease all suspension, u-joints
_______________ Wheel bearings            ___   _________
_______________ Brake fluid               
_______________ Brake rotors, calipers and pads      ___   _________
_______________ Air cleaner/carburetor fittings/bolts      
_______________ Fuel filter               ___   _________
_______________ Valve lash
_______________ Ignition timing/distributor clamp      ___   _________
_______________ Tighten header bolts
_______________ Belts and hoses            ___   _________
_______________ Control arms and bolts
_______________ Trailing arm and track bar bolts      ___   _________
_______________ Motor, transmission and starter bolts   
_______________ Shifter linkage/ Clutch linkage      ___   _________
_______________ Drive shaft bolts
_______________ Shock mounts
_______________ Steering components
_______________ Body mounts
_______________ Wheels and tire wear
_______________ Bumper bolts


Notes: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

this is my routine maintenance, no repair or setup. allthough some does overlap.