Articles written by: Wayne Scraba

Wayne Scraba is a diehard car guy and regular contributor to OnAllCylinders. He’s owned his own speed shop, built race cars, street rods, and custom motorcycles, and restored muscle cars. He’s authored five how-to books and written over 4,500 tech articles that have appeared in sixty different high performance automotive, motorcycle and aviation magazines worldwide.

(Image/Wayne Scraba)
Tech Articles

How to Set-Up and Tune Holley’s Dominator EFI System

by × on July 6, 2018 at 11:47 am × 1 comment

It’s no secret that aftermarket electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems are becoming more and more commonplace. It should come as no surprise however, that some of the early systems were […]

Here’s a look at a camshaft in the process of being degreed. As you can see, the cam is driven by a Jesel belt drive, which simplifies the process dramatically (but that's another story). The 14-inch degree wheel is from B&B while the pointer is homemade. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Tech Articles

Camshaft Degreeing Explained: Tools & Techniques for Degreeing a Cam

by × on June 12, 2018 at 4:47 pm × 1 comment

When a camshaft is “degreed” it means the camshaft position in the engine has been synchronized with the crankshaft position. Degreeing the cam is the only positive means to determine […]

(Image/Wayne Scraba)
Tech

Pro Tips for Setting Tire Pressure and Adjusting to Changing Track Temperatures

by × on June 1, 2018 at 2:06 pm × 0 comments

There are many questions related to adjusting tire pressure on a drag car, and it seems everyone has a different opinion. The reality is, every car will require a slightly […]

This dial indicator has been set up to read component runout and zeroed. That means the plunger has been run down part way through the range of travel. Once that is accomplished, the outer dial bezel is rotated to position a zero mark directly on the large needle. You can see here that the photo was taken slightly to one side. It shows the effects of not reading a gauge straight on. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
How Tos

Dial Indicator Tips: Advice for Choosing, Mounting, Zeroing and Measuring with Dial Indicators

by × on April 27, 2018 at 3:17 pm × 1 comment

One of the most important tools you’ll find in any racer or rodder’s tool collection is a dial indicator. They’re used for everything from degreeing a cam to checking run-out […]

This is a good look at the adjustment knob on a single-adjustable shock absorber. While adjustments between shock manufactures are often similar, each have their own take on where and how adjustments begin. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
How Tos

Installation Tips for Adjustable Shocks on Dual-Purpose Street and Race Cars

by × on April 26, 2018 at 9:29 am × 0 comments

There is a simple truth in making a car work for both the street and the strip: The shock absorber is key. The reason is simple. If you can control […]

(Image/Wayne Scraba)
How Tos

Shifty Business: How to Install A Shift-Light Tach

by × on April 20, 2018 at 12:59 pm × 0 comments

Today, big high quality electronic tachometers are a common sight at drag strips and in fast street cars. Modern electronics have turned tachometers into precise and reliable instruments (provided, of […]

This is what the terminals and seals look like up close. Protection from the elements is provided by these special silicone seals. The terminal pins are the pieces that actually transfer the electrical current. The pins consist of a male and female terminal. These terminals are non-orienting. What that means is they don't have to be turned when they're plugged together (some other waterproof connectors mandate a twist every time you plug them together). The terminal pins have double lock tangs that secure the pin inside the connector. They also incorporate an extra-long spring member that's designed so that the terminal can't loosen once you've installed it.(Image/Wayne Scraba)
How Tos

How to Make Professional, Weathertight Electrical Connections

by × on March 23, 2018 at 11:04 am × 0 comments

Electrical connections that come loose, break, and short-out can become a major headache—especially on a car that relies heavily upon electricity to function.  If the electrical connections aren’t right, they […]

Next, we measured from the axle-housing flange back toward the plumb line. The passenger side measured 25.875-inches while the driver side checked out at 26.875-inches. What’s going on here? Even though the axle tubes welded to the center section are exactly the same width, there’s an inch difference in actual axles. That is the pinion offset. To double-check the numbers, add the pair of measurements together (25.875-inches + 26.875-inches = 52.750-inches). They should be the same as the axle flange-to-axle flange number. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Tech Articles

Axle Exchange: How to Measure a Rear End to Fit Custom Axles

by × on February 16, 2018 at 12:24 pm × 0 comments

Adding big power to your car regularly comes with consequences. Hardware that normally doesn’t flinch is suddenly hard pressed to keep up with the demand. Add big, sticky tires and […]

Here’s a close look at an air shifter. While operating, when charged with gas by the solenoid, the cylinder moves the shift lever. There are many air shift kits designed to convert a conventional shifter to CO2 use. This particular example is designed as a dedicated CO2 shifter. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Tech Articles

An Introduction to Air Shifters & Pro Tips for Installing One

by × on February 2, 2018 at 9:00 am × 0 comments

Not long ago, few people had ever heard of an air shifter. Today, at every drag strip in the world, they’re about as common as a radial slick. Wherever they’re […]

This 572 big block Chevy is bolted to the writer’s old (really old!) Lakewood tricycle stand. We’ve used it for more than 40 years (yikes). Yes, it’s a tough old piece, but tricycle stands tend to be wobbly as you move them around the shop. (Image/Wayne Scraba)
Buyer's Guides

What to Look for in an Engine Stand

by × on January 26, 2018 at 2:58 pm × 0 comments

Every hot rodder and racer needs an engine stand. That’s no secret. There are a lot of choices out there, and prices range from under $100 up into four digits. […]

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