Danny Bender
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dannybender2026.bsky.social
Danny Bender
@dannybender2026.bsky.social
40 years in the engine rebuilding and machine shop industry, finally retired. Now writing my Danny's Engineportal Blog, Helping Solve Engine Problems.
Website https://dannysengineportal.com/
Car #2 Does anyone remember my, 1966 Fairlane 500XL. Convertible 390FE , Another car I should have never sold.
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January 29, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Engine Coolant Antifreeze - Engine Cooling And Testing Made Easy dannysengineportal.com/engine-coola...
Engine Coolant Antifreeze - Engine Cooling And Testing Made Easy
Learn about engine coolant antifreeze and why it is vital for your vehicle's performance in both hot and cold weather. Along with testing.
dannysengineportal.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Does anyone remember my 65 Mustang Fastback 2+2 - 271HP, Another car I should have never sold.
January 28, 2026 at 12:17 AM
1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible 389CI/348HP
January 26, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Fuel system issues often present with hard-to-diagnose symptoms like stalling, rough idle, surging, and loss of power, frequently caused by clogged filters, failed pumps, or dirty injectors.
January 25, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Piston ring end gap is the crucial space between the ends of a piston ring allowing for thermal expansion.
So too small a gap causes rings to butt, leading to damage, while too large a gap causes power loss from blow-by.
#dannysengineportal
#pistonrings
#endgap
January 12, 2026 at 2:13 AM
My profile says I am following 878 people, but when you click on them, it says I am not following anyone!
January 11, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Looks like there is way more spam and bots here than I thought. The way of the future. Is it everywhere or just me!
January 11, 2026 at 4:34 PM
January 7, 2026 at 9:11 PM
There is a condition that adds to many engine failures generally referred to as“fuel wash”.
And, there is only one thing protecting your engine and that is the thin layer of oil on them. So, when you douse the inside of the engine with raw fuel, you wash off that protective layer of oil.
January 6, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Carbon deposits on the back of intake valves are especially common in Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. They occur because fuel doesn't wash over them, allowing oil vapors, blowby gases, and condensation to stick and harden.
January 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM
To test a car relay, use a multimeter to check the coil resistance (pins 85 & 86) for an open/short, then apply 12V power to those pins to listen for a "click," indicating the internal switch activates. Finally, check continuity between the load terminals (pins 30 & 87) to ensure the switch closes.
December 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
An automotive smoke machine is a diagnostic tool that injects smoke (vaporized oil/fluid) into a vehicle's sealed systems (EVAP, intake, exhaust, vacuum) to visually detect leaks.
December 14, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Engine bearing damage, caused by lubrication failure, contamination, or wear, leads to knocking noises, low oil pressure, poor performance, and eventual catastrophic engine failure. Symptoms include metallic rattling/knocking sounds, shaking, increased heat, and metal shavings in the oil.
December 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Engine cylinder deglazing is the process of roughening smooth/glazed cylinder walls with a hone to create a crosshatch pattern, which helps new piston rings seat, improves oil retention, and restores compression. It's done during engine rebuilds to ensure proper lubrication and sealing.
December 6, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Valve stem seals function to control oil consumption in an engine by allowing a controlled amount of oil to lubricate the valve stem as it moves. They prevent excessive oil from leaking into the combustion chamber and ensure proper lubrication to prevent wear.
November 24, 2025 at 12:58 AM
The main downsides of direct injection include potential for carbon buildup on intake valves, which can reduce performance. Direct injection systems are also more complex and expensive to manufacture and repair, and can have issues with engine noise and fuel system clogging.
November 24, 2025 at 12:43 AM
A cylinder that is too smooth is a problem because it won't properly hold oil, which is needed for proper lubrication and sealing by the piston rings. A proper cylinder wall has a "crosshatch" pattern created by honing, which retains oil in tiny pockets.
November 21, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Serpentine belts fail from normal wear (cracking, fraying, glazing) due to heat and friction, but also from external factors like fluid leaks (oil, coolant) that degrade the rubber, or issues with components like a bad tensioner or misaligned pulleys, causing slipping, noise, or sudden breakage.
November 14, 2025 at 1:17 AM
So, look at that, even roller camshafts fail!
November 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Giving your old pistons new attitude!
November 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Repeat Engine Failures From Not Diagnosing The Original Problem dannysengineportal.com/repeat-engin...
Repeat Engine Failures From Not Diagnosing The Original Problem
Don't just replace parts without knowing why they failed. Avoid repeat engine failures with, the right diagnosis the first time.
dannysengineportal.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:33 PM
A head gasket leak between cylinders occurs when the seal between two adjacent cylinders fails, causing a compression leak and leading to symptoms like rough idling, engine misfires, and a loss of power. This happens because combustion pressure leaks from one cylinder to the other.
November 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Coolant in engine oil is a serious issue caused by leaks in gaskets or seals, most commonly a failed head gasket, and can lead to severe engine damage. The mixture looks like a "chocolate milkshake" sludge, which contaminates the oil, reducing its ability to lubricate and causing parts to wear out.
November 8, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Ticking sound from a cracked exhaust manifold can sound very similar to a lifter tick, but there are ways to tell them apart. A common difference is that manifold ticks often disappear as the engine warms up and the metal expands, while lifter ticks may be more persistent or change with engine load.
November 6, 2025 at 7:08 PM