HorsePower Builds

Parts Used In This Episode

ARP
Blower Studs, Break-Away, Aluminum, Red Anodized, 12-Point Nuts, 7/16 in. Diameter Studs, 2.5 in. Length, Set
ARP
Main Studs, 4-Bolt Main, Dodge, Hemi, Kit
Canton Racing Products
Mopar 5.7L Hemi Mid Sump Aluminum Drag, With 13-981 Pick-Up
Diablo Sport, Inc.
Computer Programmer, inTune, Cadillac, Chevy, GMC, Pontiac, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ki
Holley
950CFM, Hard Core, Gray, Aluminum, HP
Holley
Carburetor, Gasoline, Model 4150 HP Supercharger, Universal, 950 cfm, 4-Barrel, Dual Inlet, Silver, Each
Meziere Enterprises,Inc.
Mopar 300 Series Electric Water Pump 55GPM
MSD Ignition
6 HEMI Ignition Controller
MSD Ignition
Ignition Controller, Mopar Hemi V8 Modular, Each
ProCharger SuperCharger
Harmonic Balancer, Super Damper, 6.780 in., Internal Balance, Aluminum, Black, Mopar, 6.1L Hemi, 392 Crate
Summit Racing
Cloyes Timing Chain Kit
Weiand
Gasket, Supercharger to Manifold, Weiand 6-71-14-71, Paper, Each
Arrington Performance
4032 Arrington Mahle Forged Pistons, 14lbs of Boost or Street Shot of Nitrous
Arrington Performance
6.1 HEMI Ported Heads - Phase 4, Arrington Performance
Arrington Performance
Arrington Engines operates from a 105,000 sq. foot facility that houses the finest race engine development, manufacturing and testing program in the business as well as the cutting edge family of performance parts websites and their staff
Arrington Performance
Arrington High Performance Camshaft, Hydraulic Roller
Arrington Performance
Forged H-Beam Connecting Rods, Arrington/Manley
Arrington Performance
HEMI Engine Billet Main Caps by Arrington Performance
Arrington Performance
HEMI Engine Roller Rockers by Arrington Performance
Arrington Performance
Light Weight Crank Shaft, forged 4340 material, core hardened and nitrided
Clevite
Calico Coated Clevite Main and Rod Bearings - Recommended for High Boost Applications
Holley
Supercharger System, Roots, 8-71 Series, Kit
Indy Cylinder Head
6.1-I4-MMB - Runner Base
Indy Cylinder Head
Heat Insulator Plate for 6.1, Blower Mount
Matco Tools
Cylinder Leakage Tester
Matco Tools
DCR97104 Digital Compression Recorder
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Timing Cover

Episode Transcript

(ANNOUNCER)>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MARRY A NEW AGE HEMI WITH AN OLD SCHOOL BAD BOY SUPER CHARGER? THE BUILD UP, THE BLOWER, AND THE DYNO BLOW OUT ARE ALL ON TODAY'S HORSEPOWER.

(JOE)>> SAY, WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN A 426 HEMI? WELL HOW ABOUT ONE THAT'S BUILT WITH A COMBINATION OF NEW AGE TECHNOLOGY AND OLD SCHOOL MUSCLE? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE UP TO TODAY. AS YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN RECENTLY, OUR MUSCLE CAR FRIENDS BOUGHT A '74 DODGE DART TO MODIFY FOR SOME OVER THE TOP STREET/STRIP DUTY. NOW IT NEEDS AN ENGINE, LIKE THIS ONE ALMOST. IT'S A SUPER CHARGED HEMI FROM ARRINGTON PERFORMANCE, A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN INNOVATIVE NEW AGE HEMI ENGINES AND PARTS. OUR PARTS PACKAGE FOR THE DART WAS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME BUT ADDING A UNIQUE TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA AND OLD SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. WE'RE FEEDING IT WITH A WEIAND ROOTS STYLE 871 SUPER CHARGER AND A PAIR OF 950 HP HOLLEY BLOWER CARBS. THE FOUNDATION IS A NEW FACTORY BLOCK FRESH FROM 40 PLUS HOURS OF WORK AT ARRINGTON. SINCE THE EARLIER DAYS OF NASCAR, THIS COMPANY'S BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF HEMI ENGINE DEVELOPMENT. ARRINGTON PERFORMANCE NOW SPECIALIZES IN BUILDING EFI THIRD GENERATION HEMI ENGINES, AS WELL AS COMPONENTS FOR RACING AND STREET USE.

(ERIC)>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY EMPHASIZE AT ARRINGTON IS SPENDING THE MAN HOURS IN DEVELOPMENT.

(JOE)>> OUR BLOCK WAS THOROUGHLY CLEANED, DEBURRED, AND STROKER CLEARANCED BEFORE SETTING THE MAIN LINE.

(ERIC)>> THAT'S REALLY THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE.

IT'S WHERE ALL OF YOUR OTHER MEASUREMENTS ARE TAKEN. THEN IN GOES INTO A FOUR AXIS CNC MACHINE SO THAT WHEN WE GO IN AND CUT THE DECK, IT'S PERFECTLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE MAIN LINE OF THE ENGINE. AND THEN WHEN THE CYLINDERS ARE BORED, IT ACTUALLY KNOWS NOT ONLY WHERE THE CENTER LINE OF THE CYLINDER THAT IT'S BORING IS, BUT IT ALSO WHERE THAT CENTER LINE IS RELATIVE TO EVERY OTHER CYLINDER IN THE ENGINE. IT'S BEYOND BLUE PRINTING.

(JOE)>> THE TECHNOLOGY HERE IS SECOND TO NONE. THEY EXTENSIVELY USE A FOUR AXIS CNC MACHINE, AND EVEN AN EPOCH CONTOUR SINGLE POINT CUTTER FOR VALVE JOBS.

(ERIC)>> IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR RACING FIVE ANGLE VALVE JOB, THIS THING PUTS 99 DISCRETE ANGLES ON THE SURFACE OF THE VALVE SEAT.

(JOE)>> THEY USE A SPINTRON, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY

A DYNO FOR VALVETRAINS.

(ERIC)>> THIS GOES INTO A SOFTWARE THAT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO ANALYZE THINGS LIKE THE HARMONICS. IS THE VALVETRAIN BEHAVING AS IT SHOULD?

IS THE VALVE HAPPY, IS IT OPENING AND CLOSING LIKE IT SHOULD OR DOES IT BOUNCE WHEN IT HITS THE SEAT?

(JOE)>> BUILDING NASCAR ENGINES INVOLVES STRICT LIMITATIONS ON ENGINE SIZE, BORE, STROKE, AND SO ON. SO ARRINGTON'S ENGINE GUYS HAVE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON REDUCING FRICTION IN THE NAME OF POWER.

(ERIC)>> WHEN THAT ENGINE IS BUILT RIGHT ON THE NUMBERS, THAT LOW FRICTION MEANS YOU'RE NOT SPENDING YOUR POWER FORCING THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER AND YOU'RE LETTING THAT POWER OUT THE END OF THE CRANK SHAFT.

(MIKE)>> THE MANLEY CRANK WAS DESIGNED WITH ARRINGTON AND IS FOR A TRUE 426 INCHES. IT'S FORGED STEEL AND HOUSES THE OIL PUMP DRIVE AND A RELUCTOR WHEEL FOR CRANK POSITION. IT HAS A 4.080 STROKE, IT'S KEYED FOR THE BALANCER, AND SPINS ON CLEVITE BEARINGS. NEXT INSTALL THE TWO PIECE THRUST BEARING, AND HOLD IT ALL IN PLACE WITH ARRINGTON BILLET MAIN CAPS AND ARP STUDS.

HERE'S SOMETHING YOU WON'T GET WITH YOUR ENGINE COMPONENTS,

AN ENGINE BUILDER. CHRIS MARTIN'S BUILT THOUSANDS OF HEMI RACE ENGINES. HOW MANY HAD AN OLD TIME 871 BLOWER?

(CHRIS)>> WELL THIS WILL BE THE FIRST ONE THAT WE BUILT LIKE THAT.

(JOE)>> YOU NERVOUS ABOUT THAT?

(CHRIS)>> NOT A BIT, I THINK IT'S GONNA TURN OUT JUST FINE. I'VE GOT ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD.

(MIKE)>> ARRINGTON ONLY USES ARP FASTENERS. THE MAIN CENTER STUDS ARE TORQUED TO 100 FOOT POUNDS. THE CROSS BOLTS ARE TORQUED TO 25. WE'RE USING MOLY FORGED PISTONS FOR THIS BUILD AND THEY HAVE SOME REALLY COOL FEATURES LIKE AN ANODIZED TOP RING LAND AND A FULL FLOATING PIN. NOW UP TOP YOU HAVE A 26cc DISH THAT'LL GIVE US A NINE TO ONE COMPRESSION RATIO. NOW THIS IS A 4032 HIGH SILICONE PISTON THAT'S GOOD

FOR UP TO ABOUT 14 POUNDS OF BOOST. IT'S FULLY COATED WITH A LITTLE EXTRA ON THE SKIRTS. NOW YOU CAN ONLY ORDER THESE THINGS THROUGH ARRINGTON AND THEY'RE EQUIPPED WITH A SET OF MOLY RINGS. THE RODS ARE MAINLY HBEAMS, HELD IN PLACE WITH ARP 2,000 BOLTS. CHRIS IS TORQING THEM TO 90 FOOT POUNDS. THEN USES A STRETCH GAUGE TO ENSURE FIVE TO SIX THOUSANDTHS STRETCH.

(JOE)>> THE ROLLER CAM SPECS OUT AT 225 INTAKE, 234 EXHAUST AT 50 THOUSANDTHS LIFT. LOBE SEPARATION ANGLE IS 114, AND IT'S HELD IN PLACE WITH A STOCK MOPAR TENSIONER. AFTER THE TIMING CHAIN AND RELUCTOR WHEEL ARE IN PLACE, WE CAN PULL THIS PIN TO RELEASE THE TENSIONER. WITH THE OIL PUMP INSTALLED ALONG WITH THE PICK UP WE CAN BOLT UP THE TIMING COVER. THIS WINDAGE TRAY DOUBLES AS A GASKET, AND THIS CANTON OIL PAN HAS A DESIGN THAT WILL CLEAR THE CAR'S CHASSIS. ALL THIS GETS US A BIG STEP CLOSER TO HAVING A BAD BLOWN HEMI FOR MUSCLE CAR'S DART.

(JOE)>> THIS '74 DODGE DART IS HUNGRY FOR A NEW HEMI, BUT THE WAIT WON'T BE TOO LONG. WE JUST INSTALLED AN ATI BALANCER, AND NOW A MEZZERA BACK PLATE AND ONE OF THEIR ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS. LIFTERS ARE ONE OF THOSE LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE PARTS. JUST TIME TEST A STOCK MOPAR. INSTALLED WITH A GENEROUS SUPPLY OF OIL. THE ARRINGTON ALUMINUM PHASE FOUR HEADS COME WITH STAINLESS STEEL VALVES THAT MEASURE 208 INTAKE, 159 EXHAUST. THEY COME WITH UPGRADED VALVE SPRINGS, RETAINERS, AND

LOCATORS TO SUPPORT CAMS WITH UP TO 625 VALVE LIFT. THESE PORTS ARE CNC'ED WITH PROGRAMS THAT WERE DEVELOPED BY THEIR IN HOUSE ENGINE BUILDERS.

THEY USE NASCAR STYLE HEAD GASKETS, ESPECIALLY MADE FOR ARRINGTON BY COMEDIC. ACCORDING TO ARRINGTON'S IN HOUSE TESTING, THESE PHASE FOUR HEADS OUTPERFORM COMPETITOR'S HEADS BY 18 HORSEPOWER. THE NEXT PARTS ARE THE HEMI PUSH RODS, ALL 16 OF THEM. THE ROCKER ARM SHAFTS ARE DIRECT REPLACEMENTS. HOWEVER THE ROCKER'S THEMSELVES ARE DESIGNED AND MACHINED BY ARRINGTON WITH PROPRIETARY STEEL TIPS. FOR VALVE COVERS WE'RE BOLTING ON A PAIR OF OEM'S WITH COIL PACKS.

(JOHN)>> NOW IF YOU'RE WONDERING HOW WE'RE GONNA ACTUALLY FIT THIS OLD SCHOOL BLOWER ON THIS NEW STYLE MOTOR, IT'S NOT GONNA BE AS HARD AS YOU THINK. INDY OFFERS WHAT THEY CALL THE MOD MAN INTAKE. NOW THEY HAVE ONE FOR A FIVESEVEN AND A SIXONE, AND IT'S MACHINED FOR ALL THE BOLT PATTERNS TO GO WITH THEIR ADAPTER PLATES. YOU CAN GET ANYTHING FROM A SINGLE FOUR, FUEL INJECTION, TWO FOURS, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE BLOWER LIKE OUR CASE. NOW ONE THING YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO IS THEY DON'T COME WITH A PROVISION FOR A BLOW OFF VALVE. NOW I DID THIS ONE AT A BUDDY'S SHOP LOCALLY. YOU CAN HAVE YOURS DONE FOR PROBABLY ABOUT $75 DOLLARS. DON'T FORGET IT OR YOU'RE GONNA BLOW YOUR MOTOR UP BEFORE YOU GET STARTED.

(JOE)>> WITH A COUPLE OF GASKETS IN PLACE WE CAN CINCH DOWN THAT INTAKE AND GET READY FOR THE NEXT STEP. THE BLOWER, NOT YET!

(MIKE)>> WITH A SELECTION OF THESE PLATES WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO BREAK THIS ENGINE IN THE RIGHT WAY, WITHOUT ANY

BOOST TO ENSURE THE RINGS SEAT PROPERLY. NOW ONCE WE'RE COMFORTABLE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND DYNO THIS THING AT FULL RPM'S TO SEE WHAT IT DOES NATURAL ASPIRATED.

NOW IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BREAK THESE THINGS IN THE WAY YOUR ENGINE BUILDER RECOMMENDS SO YOU AVOID ANY PROBLEMS IN THE LONG RUN. AND WE'RE DOING THAT WITH A HOLLEY 950 HP CARB ON TOP OF

A SPACER, AND WE'LL FEED IT WITH 93 OCTANE FUEL.

WE'RE USING AN MSD SETUP TO CONTROL IGNITION. FIRST A HARNESS WITH CONNECTORS FOR ALL THE COIL PACKS, AND SENSORS FOR THE MAP, CAM SHAFT, AND CRANK SHAFT. THE HARNESS CONNECTS TO A SIX HEMI CONTROLLER THAT WORKS

WITH BOTH CARBURETED AND EFI ENGINES. FOR HEADERS ARRINGTON LOANED US THESE, SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR DYNO ONLY USE. NOW WE CAN PUMP IN SOME BREAK IN OIL AND MOVE ON TO TIMING.

OUR MSD USES COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND COMES WITH A BUILT IN TIMING CURVE TO GET YOU STARTED. FROM THERE YOU CAN MODIFY IT TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR APPLICATION. ALRIGHT, YOU READY?

(JOHN)>> YEAH, LETS DO IT. [ engine fires ]

(MIKE)>> NOW THAT WAS A FAST FIRE UP, BUT

IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'VE GOT A VACUUM LEAK. [ high pitched squealing noise ]

(MIKE)>> OH YEAH, LOOK, IS THAT A GAP?

IT'S COMING FROM UNDER THE SPACER. NO BIG DEAL, WE'LL JUST TRASH IT AND THROW ON A REPLACEMENT. THAT SHOULD DO IT.

(JOHN)>> LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

(MIKE)>> ALRIGHT JOHN, HERE WE GO!

(JOHN)>> OKAY, YEAH BUDDY!

(MIKE)>> MUCH MORE LIKE IT.

NOW WE CAN CONTINUE THE BREAK IN TO MAKE SURE OUR RINGS AND BEARINGS FEEL AT HOME.

( )>> THEN IT'LL FIT INSIDE.

(MIKE)>> AFTER 40 HOURS OF BLUE PRINTING AND CUSTOM MACHINING AT ARRINGTON PERFORMANCE, WE STARTED THIS BUILD WITH ONE OF THEIR GEN THREE BLOCKS, FILLING IT WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCE PARTS INCLUDING A FORGED CRANK, PISTONS, AND RODS.

NOW WE POKED IN A NEW ROLLER CAM AND BOLTED ON A SET OF ARRINGTON'S ALUMINUM HEADS. AFTER A CARB ONLY WARM UP SESSION.

(JOHN)>> YEAH BUDDY!

(MIKE)>> IT'S TIME TO PUT THIS 871 HUFFER ON THE HEMI.

(JOHN)>> WITH THE TEST RUN CARB AND MOUNTING PLATE OUT OF THE WAY, WE CAN BOLT UP THIS EXTRA THICK MOUNTING PLATE

THAT HAS ADDITIONAL BOLT HOLES FOR ADDED INSURANCE. THE BLOWER MOUNTS TO EIGHT STUDS ON THE PLATE. IN ADDITION TO A BLOW OFF VALVE, THESE ARP STUDS ARE DESIGNED TO BREAK IN THE CENTER IN THE EVENT OF A BACK FIRE.

(MIKE)>> FOR FUEL DELIVERY AND EXTRA RETRO LOOKS, TWIN HOLLEY 950 CARBS WITH A LINKAGE KIT DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THEM. NOW THESE ROOTS BLOWER CARBS HAD BOOST REFERENCE POWER VALVES THAT WORK OFF OF INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM. ALL THAT'S LEFT IS FUEL LINES FOR 93 OCTANE, BOLTING ON THE PULLEYS, AND SLIDING THE BELTS INTO PLACE. BY NOW WE'RE STARTING TO FEEL A LITTLE EDGY. AFTER ALL, BUILDING AND RUNNING THIS OLDNEW COMBINATION IS A FIRST FOR US AND FOR ARRINGTON'S THIRD GEN HEMI.

(JOHN)>> GOOD HERE, GOOD HERE, GOOD HERE, GOOD HERE, GOOD HERE, GOOD HERE!

(MIKE)>> BOWLS ARE FILLED.

(JOHN)>> ALRIGHT BACK END FOR THE POWER VALVES IS GOOD.

(MIKE)>> LETS SEE IF SHE LIGHTS. ALRIGHT, HERE WE GO! [ engine firing and revving ]

(MIKE)>> SINCE WE SENT THE ENGINE SPECS TO HOLLEY WHEN WE ORDERED THE CARBS, ALL THE JETS, POWER VALVES, AND VACUUM CIRCUITS SHOULD BE CORRECT, AN IMPORTANT PROCEDURE FOR AN ENGINE PUSHING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL. WE ALSO RETARDED THE TIMING FOR THESE BLOWER RUNS, AND THAT MSD IGNITION BOX MADE IT PRETTY SIMPLE. IN FACT, THE ONLY ISSUE WAS A CONSISTENT HIGH IDLE, AN EASY FIX. READY, YOU READY, LETS SEE WHAT THIS BABY WILL DO. [ engine revving ]

(MIKE)>> 690 HORSEPOWER, 655 FOOT POUNDS OF TORQUE. GRAPH, THE POWER CURVE'S AWESOME. THAT TORQUE THOUGH MAN, IT PEAKS, IT PEAKS GOOD.

(JOHN)>> THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO HOLD ON.

(MIKE)>> THIS THING IS DIALED IN. WE'D BE CRAZY TO START MESSING WITH ANY OF IT, BUT WE CAN PLAY WITH IT. TOMMY CAME OUT TO PLAY TOO.

(TOMMY)>> I REALLY THINK I COULD SIT HERE ALL DAY AND JUST SIT HERE AND PLAY WITH THIS. THIS VIDEO GAME ROCKS MAN!

(MIKE)>> IT ALSO SUCKS FUEL. WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH FOR ONE MORE RUN. [ engine revving ]

(MIKE)>> NOW LETS LOOK AT THE AVERAGE.

(JOHN)>> 521!

(MIKE)>> 521 ON POWER, LOOK AT THE TORQUE.

FROM 2,500 TO 6,500 606 FOOT POUNDS OF TORQUE THROUGH THE RANGE.

THAT'S A GOOD AVERAGE. OH THAT'LL PULL THE FRONT END OF THAT CAR UP WITH THEM BIG TIRES. YOU'LL NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON MUSCLE CAR FOR THAT, CAUSE FOR NOW OUR JOB IS DONE.

(ANNOUNCER)>> JUST AHEAD JOHN'S GOT A TECH TIP ON HOW TO FIND AN ENGINE MISS WITHOUT LOSING A LOT OF CASH.

IT'S A BUDGET FRIENDLY WAY TO TROUBLE SHOOT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

(JOE)>> IF YOU'VE GOT ONE OF THE BIG THREE'S LATE MODEL MUSCLE CARS, THIS COULD BE THE BEST AFTERMARKET MOD FOR IT. IT'S THE NEW IN TUNE TUNER FROM DIABLO SPORTS. NOW IMAGINE PRELOADED PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY TUNES FOR GAS OR DIESEL, ONE PART NUMBER. IT'S GOT A COLOR TOUCH SCREEN WITH WHAT THEY CALL TUNING SIMPLIFIED, FREE ONLINE UPDATES FOR LIFE, EVEN BUILT IN AUTOMATIC UPDATE SOFTWARE. OF COURSE YOU CAN CUSTOM TUNE FOR OTHER PERFORMANCE UPGRADES, CATALOG REAL TIME OBD TWO DATA, PLUS ADJUST FOR A TON OF PARAMETERS. THAT'S QUITE A LOT FOR SUCH A SMALL DEVICE WITH A PRETTY SMALL PRICE TOO, LESS THAN $390.

(JOHN)>> SOLVING AN ENGINE MISFIRE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE FOR SOME PRETTY SERIOUS DETECTIVE WORK SOMETIMES.

NOW I KNOW A LOT OF GUYS THAT WILL ABSOLUTELY GO AHEAD AND REPLACE EVERYTHING ALL THE WAY FROM THE CAP AND

ROTOR DOWN TO THE PLUGS. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THEY DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. SO TODAY WE'RE GONNA GO OVER SOME DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS AS WELL AS SOME CHEAP AND INEXPENSIVE TRICKS TO GO AHEAD AND PIN POINT THOSE ISSUES, FIX THEM, GET YOU BACK OUT

ON THE ROAD SAFELY. AND WHILE THIS ZZ FOUR SOUNDS STRONG, IT'S ONLY RUNNING ON SEVEN CYLINDERS. WE DISABLED ONE TO SHOW YOU HOW TO FIND IT. USE A TEMP GUN, WHICH YOU CAN GET AT ANY PARTS STORE, AND CHECK EACH EXHAUST HEADER TUBE. NOW IF YOU HAVE A CYLINDER THAT READS MUCH LOWER THAN THE OTHERS, CONGRATULATIONS, NOW YOU KNOW WHICH CYLINDER IS THE CULPRIT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TEMP GUN, WELL HERE'S AN OLD HOT RODDER'S TRICK. SIMPLY MODIFY A WATER BOTTLE, IT'LL WORK EVERY TIME. COULD IT BE A PLUG, WIRE, OR COIL PACK? TO FIND OUT TRY SWAPPING THE DEAD CYLINDER PLUG

WITH ONE OF THE OTHERS. IF THE MISS MOVES TO THE OTHER CYLINDER, IT

WAS INDEED A BAD PLUG. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE, DO THE SAME SWAP WITH THE PLUG WIRES,

OR IN SOME CASES COIL PACKS.

OBVIOUSLY WE'VE GOT A BAD WIRE. SO AFTER A QUICK, CHEAP SWAP, PROBLEM SOLVED. OKAY, WE SHOWED YOU HOW TO DIAGNOSE A CYLINDER MISFIRE WITH NOTHING MORE THAN A USED WATER BOTTLE AND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

NOW IF YOU'VE GOT A DEAD CYLINDER PAST THAT, WE'RE GONNA NEED TO GO AHEAD AND LOOK INSIDE THE MOTOR. NOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF TOOLS THAT ARE ENGINE SPECIFIC TO GO AHEAD AND DIAGNOSE THOSE PROBLEMS WITHOUT STARTING TO SNATCH PARTS. CHECK COMPRESSION FIRST, IT'S THE EASIEST WAY TO CHECK FOR RING ISSUES AND/OR HEAD GASKETS WITH THE ENGINE STILL IN THE CAR. WE'RE USING THIS MATCO DIGITAL COMPRESSION TESTER. NOW IT HAS THE ABILITY TO STORE RESULTS FOR UP TO 12 CYLINDERS AND DISPLAY INDIVIDUAL CYLINDER READINGS, PEAK READINGS, AND THE AVERAGE READINGS

ACROSS THE CYLINDER BANK. WITH THE IGNITION DISABLED AND THE THROTTLE BLADES OPEN, HAVE A BUDDY TURN THE MOTOR OVER ENOUGH TIMES TO HAVE A COMPRESSION STROKE HIT AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, OR UNTIL HE COMPRESSION TESTER STOPS RISING AND LEVELS OFF. PERFECT FOR THIS ENGINE. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK ALL THE CYLINDERS. THEN JUST SIMPLY COMPARE THE NUMBERS. WE'RE LOOKING FOR GOOD, CONSISTENT AVERAGE MAKING SURE THAT NO ONE CYLINDER IS MORE THAN 10 PERCENT AWAY FROM ANY OTHER CYLINDER. ALRIGHT NOW WHAT IF YOU'VE GOT ONE THAT'S STILL BAD? WELL THE EASIEST WAY TO VERIFY RINGS IS TO GO AHEAD AND ADD A LITTLE BIT OF 30 WEIGHT MOTOR OIL AND TRY AGAIN. NOW IF YOU'VE STILL GOT A LEAK, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND LOOK FOR A BURNT OR BENT VALVE. YOU DO THAT WITH A LEAK DOWN TEST. WITH THE CYLINDER AT TDC, WE'LL USE THIS TOOL FROM MATCO, WHICH REGULATES AIR PRESSURE AT 90 POUNDS IN THE CYLINDER WITH THE VALVES CLOSED. WE KNOW THESE VALVES ARE GOOD, BUT IF YOU HAD A BAD INTAKE VALVE, WELL I CAN ACTUALLY MIMIC THAT AND SHOW YOU WHAT

TO LOOK FOR BY SIMPLY OPENING THIS VALVE UP. IF YOU'VE GOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE CARBURETOR, YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT AN INTAKE VALVE PROBLEM. NOW THE EXHAUST SIDE. WITH THE EXHAUST VALVE CRACKED OPEN, YOU CAN SEE THE AIR COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. PRETTY COOL, EH? WELL IF THE COMPRESSED AIR WAS ACTUALLY CAUSING BUBBLES IN THE RADIATOR OR WE HAD SOME MILKY LOOKING OIL, CHANCE ARE WE'VE GOT A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SO THESE ARE SOME STEPS FOR YOU TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM YOURSELF WITH SOME CHEAP TRICKS AND SOME SPECIALTY TOOLS. AND WITH A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, YOU WON'T WASTE A WHOLE BUNCH OF HARD EARNED MONEY ON PARTS YOU NEVER ACTUALLY NEEDED.
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