Short of getting a motor out of an old car, finding a set of mechanics tools, and donating a few days of clothes to the grease monster, the Haynes engine kits are still the best way to get hands on experience with how an engine works. Having personally rebuilt several engines, I have to say that the accuracy and detail is astounding, giving the builder the opportunity to discover what all the moving parts do in an engine. These models bridge the gap between mechanics books that talk about race cars and engines and actually working on one yourself. You'll develop a deeper appreciation all of an engine's components that work together to produce rotating force.
