Small block Chevys were designed to be high revving. Light weight and a short stroke/large bore design let that first 265 cubic inch engine make good power up to about 5000-5500rpm, unheard of in 1955 when flathead Ford V8s ran out of steam at three grand or so.

Today you can build a small block Chevy to make power well beyond 7000rpm with the right parts. One of the secrets to a high-RPM small block is reducing rotating assembly weight. A lightweight assembly can spin faster, so the engine can hit its powerband quicker. It also takes less horsepower to rotate, More >

A kitcar that I have always liked and one that has sold in very good numbers is the Gentry, which is celebrating a superb 45th birthday, this year.

Created by an engineer called Roger Blockley, who ran RMB Sportscars (RMB stood for nothing more exotic than ‘Roger Michael Blockley’) in Barwell, Leicestershire, he’d worked on the Spitfire production line (that’s Triumph rather than Supermarine!) and had an understandable fondness for the Triumph marque and expert knowledge on Herald, Vitesse and Spit, in particular.

His Gentry, a more than passable take on the MG TD, was launched in 1974 and some 2500 have been More >

As a car care devotee there are several brands and companies that I really favour. The simple reason is they are run by nice people and sell great products that make your car look better.

One such company is Downham Market-based Shipshape of Norfolk, who for many years have been the UK importers of the Collinite range of products. Just lately they have become the home here for another American brand called The Treatment and I’ve been putting some of the range through its paces.

One that has really grabbed me is their Carnauba Paste Wax that has the performance of paste waxes More >

Locking the crankshaft is an essential job when carrying out many maintenance and repair tasks on modern engines. Often when the engine has been removed from the vehicle and the gearbox separated, there is no easy way to lock the crankshaft.

The new Laser Tools flywheel locking tool (part number 7511) is unique in its design and simplicity and allows the user to quickly and simply lock the flywheel via the ring gear when the engine has been separated from the gearbox.

This will allow, for example, the removal of the flywheel or front pulley retaining bolts, or keeping the crankshaft locked More >

This latest version of The Tool Catalogue is NEW for 2019/20 from Sealey Tools and is available now.

Their new, larger sized catalogue contains 1204 pages – 64 more than the last edition – with 9800 total lines.  There are more than 1000 new products and it contains over 2000 consumables. It’s the must-have reference for automotive technicians, engineers, farmers and of course, serious DIY enthusiasts.

Sealey works hard to find the latest technologies, products and a range that will cover all your tool and workshop requirements. Trusted by professionals, all products are thoroughly tested by their experienced QC Engineers for quality, More >