No matter how much we love them, our engines are still basically inefficient air pumps and need all the help they can get to make power. Like any other type of pump, if it leaks, it won't work. And ...

Engineers have a lot to think about when designing new engines, and one of the biggest considerations is the shape of the pistons in the cylinders.

From the archives: Using a stash of parts and an old set of AFR 227 heads, see how this small-block combo got every last bit of power. To celebrate HOT ROD's 75th anniversary, we teamed up with ...

Heat is a byproduct of combustion. Both air-cooled and water-cooled engines need to dissipate that heat to keep the engine from running too hot. Can piston rings play a role in managing that heat?

Piston rings are the seals in your cylinders, giving you better compression and power, but what happens if they wear or break? And how can you spot the signs?

The opposed-piston engine has been around for over 100 years and is more efficient in almost every way. The engine has no traditional valves, cams, or camshafts, and no head, so it’s simpler and ...

There's no need to sugarcoat what bad piston rings can do to your engine. Those rather thin cast-iron or steel rings may look small and irrelevant to untrained eyes, but they play a vital part in ...