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Wrenching
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Wrenching

  • Rob Dahm Rotary Miata
    9

    Weight Is The Enemy In Rob Dahm's Single-Rotor Turbocharged Miata

    Can a single rotor Miata exist without shaking itself apart? Can a single rotor Miata be even more fun to drive than its piston-driven siblings?

    By Brad Brownell 17 hours ago Read More
  • The 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine with one cylinder head removed
    1

    Why Choosing Aluminum Or Cast-Iron Duramax Heads Isn't As Simple As Lightweight Vs. Rugged

    GM's famously durable 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V-8 comes from the factory with aluminum cylinder heads, but for some owners, cast-iron is the better option.

    By Charles Krome 19 hours ago Read More
  • A 3D printed gasket in front of an engine
    13

    Can You 3D Print Gaskets That Actually Work?

    Different gaskets face different conditions, and some are better suited for 3D-printed replacement than others.

    By Amber DaSilva 3 days ago Read More
  • Refueling of airplane at airport. Ground service before flight.
    15

    How Diesel Fuel And Jet Fuel Are Surprisingly Similar

    While there are several types of jet fuel, Jet A1 is the most common used fuel in commercial aviation around the world.

    By Ryan Erik King 3 days ago Read More
  • As with all rules, this one is meant to be broken, as well, but you've got to be very careful. Diesel Hub says starting fluid can be used on some diesel engines, but only when the manufacturer explicitly states that it's safe to use. Usually, that's only on engines that are 20-plus-years-old, do not use glow plugs to help with start-up and have relatively low compression ratios.  Think of old diesel cars and trucks — old farm equipment too — the sort of stuff that might as well be running on vegetable oil. Those are the types of vehicles that could probably be alright if you used starter fluid on them, but anything newer than that, and you're heading for destination city. That's not where you want to be, is it? I didn't think so. I'm sure I'll get some comments from people talking about how they use starting fluid on their modern diesel motors when it's really cold out, but they're either reckless or lying on the internet, which is something nobody should ever do.
    9

    Here's What Can Happen When You Use Starting Fluid In A Diesel Engine

    Use starter fluid on anything with a glow plug and you're looking at detonation city.

    By Andy Kalmowitz 3 days ago Read More
  • A steel rim with a significant dent on the inner side
    1

    Driving With A Bent Rim Is A Bad Idea: Here's How To Decide When To Repair Vs Replace

    Bent rims can cause plenty of trouble on the road, and driving on one isn't a smart move. But will you need to replace it entirely or just get it fixed?

    By Alvin Reyes 4 days ago Read More
  • oncoming cars on highway in twilight time
    34

    Why The NHTSA Outlaws Replaceable-Bulb LED Headlights, But Can't Stop You From Installing Them

    Enforcement of laws around modified vehicles is a state issue, not a federal one, and states often have bigger fish to fry than some headlights.

    By Amber DaSilva 4 days ago Read More
  • A car with a missing or stolen catalytic converter
    12

    Driving Without A Catalytic Converter Is Possible, But Is It Worth The Risk?

    Catalytic converters are a vital part of your car, but just how vital are they? Can you spend a few miles without having one present at all?

    By Benjamin Gracias 4 days ago Read More
  • A close-up of a corroded exhaust valve filled with carbon deposits.
    13

    What Engine Parts Are Most Susceptible To Carbon Buildup?

    Carbon buildup can create some big issues while you're driving. A few engine parts are more susceptible to it than others, so check them regularly.

    By Marko Mikulic 7 days ago Read More
  • A close up view of the outer tie rods visible in a car's suspension
    10

    Do Inner And Outer Tie Rods Need To Be Replaced At The Same Time?

    If you've ever had to replace tie rods, you've probably heard about doing it in pairs. But is that really necessary if there's only an issue with one of them?

    By Alvin Reyes 7 days ago Read More
  • Building the perfect Golf
    11

    Speeed Is Building Anti-Hype Cars For YouTube

    It's not a Lamborghini, it's not a big-power turbo car, and it's not some wild big-dollar thing. What it is, though, is finished.

    By Brad Brownell 8 days ago Read More
  • Selection of nuts and bolts
    9

    Why The Strongest Bolt Grade Isn't Always The Best For A Safe Car Repair

    The stronger the bolt, the safer the car, right? Not necessarily, as some bolts are deliberately engineered as weak points that break under specific loads.

    By Charles Krome 8 days ago Read More
  • A black gear shift lever and knob in a 6-speed manual transmission car.
    7

    How A Short-Throw Shifter Actually Works

    Short-throw shifters reduce lever travel for faster gear changes, but there's more to the story. Here's how geometry and fulcrums actually change your drive.

    By Eugene Buono 9 days ago Read More
  • A black Ford V8 hot rod at a car garage
    15

    The Difference Between Street Rods, Hot Rods, And Rat Rods Explained

    You've probably heard of hot rods, street rods, and rat rods before, but there are quite a few distinct differences to them beyond their names.

    By Benjamin Gracias 9 days ago Read More
  • Billets of aluminum stacked in a factory
    9

    What Are The Differences Between Billet And Forged Car Parts?

    Billet and forged parts might share the same material DNA, but the way they're made determines their performance under pressure. Here's what you need to know.

    By Charles Krome 10 days ago Read More
  • An inline-six engine featuring an upgraded turbocharger, custom intake and turbo blanket.
    2

    Is There Any Standardization For Stage 1, 2, Or 3 Engine Tuning?

    You've probably heard about the three "stages" of tuning, but what do they mean? And is there any standard definition for each of the three?

    By Peter Nelson 10 days ago Read More
  • Ben, Ben, and Mark working on a Subaru
    3

    I Want To Be Like The Gears And Gasoline Guys When I Grow Up

    Don't worry, these guys aren't just building trailer queens that get trotted out for a fast lap or two.

    By Brad Brownell 15 days ago Read More
  • A contact point ignition system from a classic two-stroke vehicle
    12

    For Fans Of Antiquated Ways To Power Spark Plugs, Here's How To Set Ignition Points

    Back when cars relied on distributors, spark plugs needed ignition points. You'll have to know how to set them correctly if you have a classic.

    By Chloe Clougher 15 days ago Read More
  • Saturn emblem
    6

    Saturn Once Made An SC Turbo, But Not For You

    Saturn never made a factory-turbo SC, but when they let their engineers have a go, it got a big dose of forced induction and nearly double the power.

    By Brad Brownell 16 days ago Read More
  • A stripped Porsche
    36

    Los Angeles Car Strippers Leave Porsche 911 A Shell Of Its Former Self

    The cops notified the car's owner, and the LAPD says its detectives are on the case.

    By Amber DaSilva 16 days ago Read More
  • A white pickup truck towing a heavy camper trailer on the highway
    10

    Does Towing Impact How Often You Have To Change Your Oil?

    Towing can put your vehicle under a great deal of stress. But does that mean that you'll have to deal with oil changes more often, among other things?

    By Alvin Reyes 17 days ago Read More
  • A Sony 3.5
    26

    It Seems Your Tesla Will Recognize A 3.5-Inch Floppy Disk Drive

    Using audio files on 3.5-inch floppy disks probably isn't the most efficient way to play music in your Tesla, but if you have the right adapter, it can work.

    By Justin Hughes 17 days ago Read More
  • An Audi A6 TDI engine inside of a car
    4

    What Might Cause A Diesel Engine To Lose Power (And Possible Fixes)

    Diesel engines are capable of putting out plenty of power. But if you don't keep up with maintenance, a few issues could make those engines lose that power.

    By Chloe Clougher 18 days ago Read More
  • The harmonic balancer on an freshly rebuild BMW engine being lowered into the engine bay of a BMW 507.
    2

    How To Tell When Your Harmonic Balancer's Gone Bad

    There are a few tell-tale signs to look for if you think your harmonic balancer needs to be replaced, and you'll want to make sure it's in good working order.

    By Peter Nelson 18 days ago Read More
  • A close-up of an inline spark plug tester
    6

    Are Spark Plug Testers Even Remotely Necessary?

    Spark plug testers will only help you figure out issues related to spark plugs. Does that make them useless, or is there a point to having them around?

    By B. L. Johnson 18 days ago Read More
  • An elderly gentleman closing the hood of a classic car inside a garage
    2

    Do Classic Cars Need Specific Kinds Of Oil?

    Classic cars have some very specific lubrication needs. But the specifics on which type of oil they need are a little complicated and depend on wear and age.

    By Alvin Reyes 18 days ago Read More
  • Rocking a cheap Accord
    20

    This $4,000 Honda Accord Build Shows You Don't Need To Blow A Ton Of Money To Have A Cool Car

    If you only have a few thousand dollars to spend on a car, you'll need to put in some effort, both in the search and the build, but you can still make it cool.

    By Brad Brownell 18 days ago Read More
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