Camshaft Assembly Lube & Break in Lube Part of my 1963 Ford Falcon engine build is researching how to build and break-in the engine... the right way. To get great advice, I asked the experts at Edelbrock. They've been building engines and hot rod parts forever... not to mention they've been very cool helping me with my engine build and with MyRideisMe.com. Hope these tips are helpful! Tech with Edelbrock: Camshaft Break-in for Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts Upgrading your hydraulic, flat tappet cam is a very popular performance upgrade. In many cases, cam changes happen independently of a complete engine rebuild. With or without engine rebuild, when changing cams, proper steps must be taken to ensure a hassle-free installation, break-in period, and of course, good cam and lifter life. The following are the basic steps for camshaft break-in. Read and follow the included instructions with every Edelbrock cam and lifter kit. We're skipping the assembly and disassembly steps because there's too many variations to cover it all. 1) Always use new lifters with a new camshaft. Do not use existing lifters with a new camshaft. Cam lobe wear is...

Hot Rod Tires How-To - Gotta Drive Fast! Simple question: What's wrong with this photo?   If you answered, A) Dude's running Centerlines on a hot rod (What a loser); Well, you'd be part right. Why would I do such a thing? Does the car look better like this:   Take your time.... YES!! Much better. The bias plys on Bonnie make the vintage look, just like bias plys do on tons of other hot rods going for a straight out of the 50s, nostalgic look. (I'll also agree the backdrop of the Bonneville Salt Falts doesn't hurt!) So why have I replaced my bias plys with radials? Simple: I want to drive... drive fast on the freeway.   I originally had a set of white wall, radial tires on my roadster. I dig the white wall look, but like I said before, I wanted my roadster to be more early 50s looking. Plus the blackwalls look more hard core hot rod to me, like my main focus is running fast, not looks.   Anyway, I had the radials on before, and when people asked, "How fast is it?"...

Hot Rod Pinstriping from Detroit I've been to many shows in the west... California, especially SoCal has hot rod shows or a cruise-in just about every day of the week and you can count on it on several on the weekends. So it's easier to grab pinstriping shots from the big shows like Grand National Roadster Show or LA Roadster Show or even Viva Las Vegas. So how does the pinstriping out in Detroit stack up to the west? You tell me. (Comment below, you don't have to join anything...) [nggallery id=63] See all of the MyRideisMe.com coverage of Detroit Autorama:  Detroit Autorama Hot Rods and Custom Cars or you can go straight to more pinstriping here: Pinstriping Features and Pictures I'm always looking for good pinstriping pictures. Got any to share? Please get in...

Ford Falcon Inline Six Long Block Build Video I've been working on my 1963 Ford Falcon wagon for way to long now. Ever get the feeling about your project like... "It'll never be done!" Well, let's celebrate some progress! The short block's put together and waiting the next couple steps in the powertrain build:   Assemble the head and the rest of the long block Prep and Install of the T5 transmission (I know, I was planning on re-using the Dagenham 4 speed)   The video below is a step by step build of the 200 inline six. With guidance from my pops, a retired Ford mechanic, he shows me how-to, then I proceed to give it my best shot. I'm not always successful the first time, maybe like you might be... so, I hope everyone interested in building their own engine can learn a little something, and maybe have a laugh at the same time!   If you're looking for more info on building or modifying a ford inline six engine, make sure to check out this discussion forum:  Fordsix.com. With members from all over the world, including...

1931 Model A Hot Rod with Something More Hot rod builds start all kinds of ways... some with an engine taking up space in the corner of your garage, some with pop's left over parts or a great swap meet find. This one started with a can of flat green paint. Voodoo Larry's a well know name in hot rods and custom cars. For some 30 years, Larry's been building custom cars and worth noting including the "Voodoo Idol" shown hear with the lovely, November 2012 Pinup of the Month Monica Renee. Larry runs Voodoo Larry Kustoms out of Elk Grove Village, IL where in his words, "The shop is not state of the art, but VooDoo Larry puts his heart and soul into every build and modification." For Larry's latest creation, "Voodoo Psychosis" the first thing you might notice is the wheels. (if you're not currently looking at Ms. Renee!) These are 1939 Dodge "high clearance" wheels, not to be mistaken for "Milk truck" wheels. The fronts are 20's and out back 18's wear  7.50-18 Firestones. Larry waited 10 years to find a set, then made a deal...

Custom Car Gauges by Classic Instrument Motor Through Detroit Recognize this car? This is the Peace family's 1955 Ford Thunderbird that won the 2012 Ridler Award. If there's one word to describe it, it's CUSTOM. You could also say, "One-off" or even "One of a Kind". All of those words would accurately describe the cars found in the "Great 8" contending for the Ridler. They're all amazing- amazingly custom, all the way down to their custom gauges. Rules for winning the Ridler read fairly simple: The cars should show: Creativity, Engineering and Workmanship. One of the accepted, maybe expected, ways to show creativity and workmanship is with one of a kind parts, like custom gauges. That's why SEVEN of the "Great 8" cars from Detroit chose Classic Instruments. Here's where the Peace's 55 T'Bird started and how it all ended up: Johnathan Peace is an Art Center student, so every part of this 55 was carefully planned, then perfected... then covered in gleaming red paint, leather or chrome! Keeping things simple, the Thunderbird now runs a single gauge, a custom tach. When finished, here's how it looked: If one...

Traxxas and  Courtney Force to Scale In case you've missed every NHRA race this year, you should know that Traxxas has stepped up big time to sponsor quite a few professional drag racing teams, especially the gorgeous (and hard working racer) Courtney Force, daughter or the legend John Force. MyRideisMe.com has been posting race updates from John Force Racing so we got this info about the 1/8 Scale Funny Cars that Traxxas is making now. Here's more info from the source. TRAXXAS HITS IGNITION ON 1/8 SCALE RC FUNNY CARS FOR JFR CHARLOTTE, NC (April 13, 2012) – NHRA Full Throttle Racing fans around the country have been awaiting a John Force Racing RC Funny Car model since the beginning of a new, unique and energetic partnership between Traxxas and John Force Racing was announced in early January of this year. Today fans at the 3rd annual Four-Wide NHRA Nationals got their first peek at the four JFR Traxxas Funny Cars during a photo shoot beside the Traxxas fan experience zone. Traxxas revealed last week a collection of fully assembled, Ready-To-Race®, Traxxas RC Ford Mustang Funny Cars. The new models run...

Traditional Hot Rods, Drag Racers & Muscle Engines Sponsored by Speedway Motors - Build your hot rod engine with Speedway! #1 Start off with a cold Coors? The Atomic Rocket front engine dragster has a supremely detailed, blown & injected Rocket motor for motivation. Just like when I shot the "17 best wheel and tire" story from the 2012 Detroit Autorama, I made my way around the show shooting the best hot rod engines too. just like wheels and tires, and especially in a hot rod (cause you can see it most times) the engine says, "My Ride is Me" and sets the tone for mild or wild, traditional or... more towards the street rod style. Whatever the case, the shine and for an outside show, the rumble let's people know what's on your mind. What are these folks saying?? (Click any image for the full size picture) So here's my favorites... divided into: Drag Racers Muscle Engines (what else ya gonna call them?) Traditional Hot Rods (reserved for the flatheads!) Tell me what's your favorite or if I shot your engine... I'll put your name with the picture....

Wide Whites Walls, Redlines & Muscle Car Style & Speed #1 Kicking of the "Wide Whites" collection of pictures - this sled had a custom hub-cap, I think... that doubled as a secret agent weapon. Walking around the 2012 Detroit Autorama, I took in what must be a FULL charge of hot rods, customs and full-tilt show cars when it came to the Ridler Contenders. Then, while shooting this over the top, flamed custom shown above, it hit me... what says, "My Ride is Me" more than your wheel and tire choice? (Click any image for the full size picture) So here's my favorites... they'll be divided into: White Whites Modern/Race and Muscle Which one's are your favorites? (leave a comment below and we'll discuss) Photos of Tires & Wheels at the 2012 Detroit Autorama #2 Custom Mercury with wide whites and 'caps. Can someone help me out with the name of these hubcaps? #3 This bright green hot rod pickup chose red steelies, mostly covered by a slick hubcap (custom center?) then covered'em with a white wall cheater slick. #4 Buick Riviera sport'n wide whites and Supreme's. A...

Return to Viva - 2012 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Car Show Editor's note: Mark's been very kind to show his behind the lens work in this story and the last story about the great Rockabilly Weekender in Las Vegas. This time, take a listen as he give his impressions of the rides, the show and most importantly, the people that make the show great. Please make him feel welcome! Going back to Viva Las Vegas again this year, can't wait to see the Grease Pit Car Club from last year. A great group of guys and gals from LA, CA that have let my wife and I hang out with them every year. As a bonus this year, sounds like we have more members from San Diego, CA that are going to join us. Thursday afternoon I arrived and couldn't wait to get to the car area. The Valet parking lot all ready has cars lined up waiting to get in. Not a lot of cars in the car show area yet but that makes for better pictures. I like the contrast red and silver (on bad ass!) Grease...

2012 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Car Show Before you even enter the show, customs like this greet you. Grab a beer and enjoy the first photos from the 2012 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. Found out this is Ashley Alyson Bryce aka Miss Leggy May... Find her on FB here. If you've never been to the show. Stop now and catch up some with MyRideisMe.com stories and photos of Viva starting back in 2009. It's been a fantastic run of hot rods, all kinds of custom cars and of course what most would call rat rods. But Viva's about the people and the music as much as anything else. For example, check out the lovely lady above! Pinup? 70s go-go dancer? Why categorize? Let's just thank my man Mark Jacobs for the cool shots! You'll see the personality of the show come through in the photos, of course, but you'll also see the photographer too. I asked Mark for some of his favorites and he couldn't stop talking about this 1957 Chevy custom. He told me... " The headlights are stacked and the grille... and the, and the.." As the saying doesn't...

2012 Edelbrock Car Show at Vic's Garage Edelbrock to Host Rev’ved Up 4 Kids Charity Weekend to Benefit Children with Learning Disabilities TORRANCE, CA (April 3, 2012) – Edelbrock is excited to host the Rev’ved Up 4 Kids Charity fundraising event from May 5th through May 6th. This year’s event promises to have something for everybody, especially people with a passion for the automotive and aftermarket industry! This charity fundraising event benefits The Center For Learning Unlimited; a private educational institution that provides comprehensive education to students with complex learning disabilities. The weekend’s festivities will begin with a shop tour of Edelbrock’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Torrance, CA. This will be your chance to take a one of a kind guided tour through Edelbrock’s facilities and see what 74 years of dedication to performance products has built. Each tour will include a complete overview of everything from R&D to finished product manufacturing. This is a unique chance for automotive enthusiasts to get a sneak peek into what it takes to design and manufacture high-quality performance products. The shop tours will take place on Saturday May 5th from...