EN 
FR A few millimetres can be enough to destroy a radiator. Why a plastic fan is a risk on the R8 Gordini and Alpine A110, and how to avoid it.
The automotive technical blog
Technical resources on classic engines and parts
Cooling in hot weather: diagnosing overheating on an old car with an engineer's method
When outside temperatures rise, the same phrases keep coming back: "classics run hot, it's normal", "remove the thermostat", "fit a radiator..."
Cylinder head gasket on an old lined engine: asbestos, asbestos-free and liner protrusion
The real role of the head gasket. On a classic linered engine, the head gasket should not be seen as a simple sheet placed between the block and the head. It is a sealing component...
R5 Turbo Cévennes brake disc: the secrets of drilling in the bridges
R5 Turbo Cévennes brake disc: why the holes? On a fast car such as a Renault 5 Turbo or an Alpine A310, good brakes matter. In 2011, we were consulted...
Clio 16v & Williams engine: 2 mechanical urban legends
Two urban legends of the F7P / F7R engine: bearing shells without locating tabs and hydraulic lifters. Since 2007, Mespiecesauto has been remanufacturing automotive parts for classic and sports engines. And...
Alpine GTA radiator: from unavailability to improved cooling
Back in 2009, at a time when the term youngtimer had not yet entered collectors' everyday vocabulary, a concrete problem already existed: the cooling radiator of the...
Matte silicone hose: it's vintage even as a technique!
Matte silicone hoses — why? In the 2000s, car customization favoured very visible silicone hoses (red, orange, etc.). Over time, a return to the original look...
R5 Turbo camshaft profile: which one to choose?
R5 Turbo camshaft profile — which one to choose? A question that often comes up among our enthusiast customers: which camshaft profile for an R5 Turbo? What is a cam profile...
Aluminium Black Series radiator: the false good idea
Black Series aluminium radiator: the false good idea. Black-painted aluminium radiators — nicely branded Black Series — promise a period look. But thermally, adding a...
Overhauling an R5 Alpine – R5 Turbo – R5 Alpine Turbo engine
Rebuilding an R5 Turbo & R5 Alpine engine: the updated workshop guide. Preparing to rebuild a Cléon 1397 (R5 Alpine / R5 Alpine Turbo / R5 Turbo)? Mespiecesauto has gathered a...
Exhaust temperature, richness and air conditioning?
? Exhaust temperature, mixture and air conditioning — is there a link? 1. ? What is exhaust temperature? Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) is a...
Oil pressure. One of the topics that worries the owner of an old car
Article updated on 19 July 2026. In short: on a classic engine, oil pressure depends above all on mechanical clearances and resistance to oil flow. Fitting a "..." pump...
16-valve cast-iron Cléon cylinder head: the crazy project!!
For a while now we have been posting on our Facebook page parts made for building a cast-iron Cléon engine with a 16-valve cylinder head made by Bétend Sport. We asked him...
Petrol injectors: role, inspection, sealing, flow rate, cleaning
Petrol injectors — often the poor relation of a restoration. The injection system is generally refitted as-is, but a fault in one or more injectors can cause irreversible damage. If...
Engine piston rings: everything to know for rebuilding your classic
Do you suspect a piston ring problem while rebuilding your classic? Are you asking yourself: are some rings better than others? Is there...
How to choose a part for your classic or sports car?
How do you choose a part for your youngtimer, your classic car or your tuned car? Which criteria should you follow, and which should you avoid?
Aluminium or copper radiator: which is more efficient?
Understand engine cooling, its ins and outs. Aluminium or copper radiator? How do you calculate an exchange surface? Is fouling serious?
Re-manufacture and development of made-to-measure parts for classic cars – A particular know-how
With classic cars in fashion for several years now, we are seeing many remanufactured parts appear here and there, sometimes from newly established professionals. But how do you actually remanufacture...
an original conrod (XC32/XC38 steel) is enough for a strictly original rebuild, provided it is checked seriously and the bolts are replaced. As soon as there is engine tuning — an increase in compression ratio, displacement, revs or boost pressure — the 4340-steel forged conrod becomes essential: it offers about twice the yield strength of an XC38, fresh metrology and a pre-stressing treatment (shot peening). The real risk is not breakage, but
In short: an original connecting rod (XC32/XC38 steel) is enough for a strictly original rebuild, provided it is seriously checked and the bolts are replaced. As soon as there is...
Silent blocs – their materials – hardness – roles … the tough life of a silent bloc!
Engine and suspension mounts — a part well known to mechanics enthusiasts, but how are they made? Why can a difference in hardness be crucial on a car? What materials...