Even after more than 30 years in the engine business, the bearing systems in modern internal combustion engine still amaze me. Made from a mixture of aluminium and tin on a steel backing (for bi-metallic examples) or a mixture of copper, silicon and nickel topped off with an aluminium-tin overlayer, even after many hours of running, after stripping the engine I have seen bearings as good as new. And of course this is what the designer is aiming for because in theory, once rotating, the...

I suppose you could say that the valvetrain in any engine is a bit like my grown-up family. So long as everyone away from home stays in contact with the matriarch, all is well. However, as soon as that contact is lost - a late birthday card, for instance, or a promise to phone not honoured - then there are, shall we say, consequences. The same can certainly be said of the valvetrain, for when components in the system lose contact with each other the consequences can be more than simple...