Coretalk: Seeking Industry Growth, PERA Names Boland New Executive Director - Engine Builder Magazine

Coretalk: Seeking Industry Growth, PERA Names Boland New Executive Director

“We will help grow this industry,” said Ray Fink, PERA President, “and that means nos more business as usual. The time for change is now.”

Boland brings an extensive background in successful association restructuring and will be responsible for all business management functions of PERA in order to meet the needs of the association’s members.

“The temperament of the industry demands a new paradigm and PERA plans on leading the way,” said PERA Vice President Mark Fellanto. “We are providing the finest one stop engine remanufacturing information resource, EDS G3 (EngineDataSource.com, Gen III). This product will be superior to anything the aftermarket industry has ever seen.”

Clevite’s Shively Retires After 35 Years; Replaced By Veteran Murray

After a career spanning more than 35 years, Terry Shively, general manager of Dana Corporation’s Clevite Engine Parts, retired March 15. Shively’s Dana career included several key administrative, sales, marketing and product management positions.

His successor is no novice to the automotive aftermarket or to Clevite in particular. Lee Murray, a 31-year Dana veteran was named general manager, and will oversee all Clevite operations in North America.

In 2004, Murray was named vice-president of marketing for the Clevite Division. This marked his return to the aftermarket after six years as director of OE sales for Dana’s North American Steering & Suspension business. Prior to that assignment, Murray’s 24 years in Dana’s aftermarket division included a variety of sales and marketing positions. He is also a member of the Automotive Sales Council.

Dana Corporation has also announced the retirement of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Robert Richter.

“Bob Richter served Dana for more than 30 years in a variety of leadership roles,” said Dana Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Burns. “We appreciate that Bob will continue to be available to the company for a period of time on a consulting basis and extend our best wishes for his success in future endeavors.”

In addition, the company has named Ted Stenger chief restructuring officer for the company. Stenger will report directly to Mike Burns in this role.

“Ted brings to Dana more than 20 years of experience assisting major corporations in addressing significant financial and operational challenges,” Burns said. “Ted’s primary responsibilities will include communicating with our creditors during our reorganization, as well as many other key elements of the Chapter 11 process. He will also work closely with our senior management team as we develop our reorganization plan to emerge from Chapter 11 as a strong company and a vigorous competitor in the automotive industry.”

‘Rebuilding the 4.6L Ford’ Feature Article Available On CD-ROM

In case you missed last month’s special feature on rebuilding the Ford 4.6L engine, it has now been made available in CD-ROM format.

Ford has made a lot of changes over the 15 years this engine has been in existence, so building the right engine can be a real challenge, according to Contributing Editor Doug Anderson, Grooms Engines, Nashville, TN, who researched and wrote the article. Anderson says that if you include the front cover with the engine, there have been more than 10 short blocks and 20 long blocks to date.

The comprehensive CD-ROM includes Anderson’s latest updates and casting identification information on blocks, cranks, connecting rods, pistons, cylinder heads, cams and timing components. The CD also includes 6 comprehensive charts with casting numbers, vehicle identification and part numbers for all variations of this engine, so you can determine which engines and components were used for each specific application, year by year in the Expedition, Explorer, Mustang, Crown Vic and the F150.

To order a copy of “Rebuilding the 4.6L Ford” on CD-Rom, please email Managing Editor, Brendan Baker, at [email protected] or call (330) 670-1234 ext.228. Each CD will cost $20 plus shipping, handling and applicable sales tax.

Federal-Mogul to Give Away Restored 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu

Federal-Mogul Corporation will offer automotive aftermarket professionals the chance to win a beautifully restored and updated 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu during the second annual Federal-Mogul TEC Training Excellence Sweepstakes.

Sponsored by the Federal-Mogul Technical Education Center (TEC) in St. Louis, MO, the sweepstakes is open to any automotive technician, machinist or parts professional who attends a 2006 TEC workshop in St. Louis, an evening field seminar in the U.S. or Canada, or who enrolls via mail.

The street-ready Chevelle Malibu being offered in the 2006 sweepstakes features a fully updated engine, four-speed transmission, power steering and restored body and interior. Technicians attending 2006 TEC workshops in St. Louis will help complete a broad range of technology updates on the vehicle including the addition of new Sealed Power internal engine components and Fel-Pro gaskets among other updates utilizing Federal-Mogul products.

For more information regarding Federal-Mogul TEC workshops, field clinics and the TEC Training Excellence Sweepstakes, contact the 24-hour toll-free fax-back information line at (888) 771-6005, or visit www.federal-mogul.com/training.

Famed Auto Writer Mitch Schneider Joins Babcox Publications

Mitch Schneider, nationally recognized automotive service professional, author and lecturer, has joined Babcox Publications as a senior contributing editor.

Beginning in July, Schneider’s popular commentary will appear monthly in Babcox’s Tech Group publications, including Brake & Front End, ImportCar and Underhood Service. In addition
to frequent exclusives on aftermarketNews.com and Autocare-pronews.com, another column written specifically for store professionals will appear regularly in Counterman magazine.

“We are thrilled to have Mitch on the Babcox team,” said Bill Babcox, president and CEO. “We think he will be a great asset to our organization and will add a new dimension to our publications.”
Schneider has 40 years of experience in the automotive service industry. He’s an ASE-certified master automotive repair technician and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. A longtime contributor to several automotive industry publications, Schneider has developed a strong industry following for his lively and frank writing style. He has won several awards for excellence in journalism.

“I’m very excited about this move. Everything about this feels right,” said Schneider. “The magazines Babcox produces are excellent. I’ve been reading them for years. I’ve always been impressed with Babcox’s agility, how it responds to conditions in the marketplace. As a service dealer, as a professional in the industry, that means a lot. Since I started writing, my goal has always been to leave the aftermarket a little better than how I found it. I believe we not only have a responsibility to report what goes on in the industry but also to move it forward.”
Schneider will write for Babcox from his home in California, where he continues to run his business, Schneider’s Automotive Repair, Inc., located in Simi Valley.

Delco Remy Subsidiary Signs Agreement with General Engine Products

Franklin Power Products Inc., a Delco Remy International company located in Franklin, IN, has signed an agreement with General Engine Products (GEP), a wholly owned subsidiary of AM General, to remanufacture 6.5L V8 diesel engines and distribute new GEP 6.5 L “drop-in” engines.

The agreement will make Franklin Power Products the sole factory-authorized remanufacturer, and GEP will provide the technical assistance and components. The new 6.5L and remanufactured 6.5L V8 diesel engines fit a variety of applications in North America, including pickup trucks, school buses and commercial delivery vehicles.

The engines are currently available through Powrbilt, a Delco Remy International company based in Mansfield, TX. Franklin Power also plans to offer the engines through its existing distribution channels.

White House Bill Signing Ceremony Marks New Anti-Counterfeiting Law

AAIA joined Congressional and industry leaders at the White House March 16, as President Bush signed into law the “Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act” (H.R. 32).

The act enhances criminal sanctions against trademark counterfeiters. It closes a loophole in current criminal law, which currently does not criminally prohibit trafficking in the counterfeit labels and packaging that are used with counterfeit goods. It also requires the disposal of counterfeit goods and marks to ensure that trademark thieves do not profit from their sale.

“Our association and industry congratulate and thank bill sponsors, Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-MI, and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-PA, for marshalling strong bi-partisan support to pass legislation so vital to protecting American consumers, businesses and workers from the dangers of product piracy,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “We also salute President Bush for his commitment to enact tougher penalties and for his administration’s comprehensive Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) campaign.”

“Our laws now become a greater deterrent to trademark theft, by making the potential costs of getting caught much higher than the potential profits of product piracy,” said Lee Kadrich, AAIA vice president, government affairs and trade. “This new act also arms U.S. trade negotiators to win equivalent statutory protections from the many trade partners seeking free trade agreements with the United States.”

ATK Performance Engines and Steve Schmidt Racing Announce Partnership

ATK Performance Engines and Steve Schmidt Racing Engines have announced a new marketing partnership to distribute high performance engines worldwide. ATK Performance engines are designed and custom built to meet the demands of everyday street use with the additional horsepower and torque required to satisfy the most discriminating enthusiast. Steve Schmidt Racing is known for its expertise in building custom engines to fit the customer’s specific needs. The company will be helping ATK to design a range of performance engines.

Former Peterson President, Edward R. ‘Sam’ Brown Jr. Dies

Past Peterson Machine Tool President Sam Brown Jr., of Panama City Beach, FL, passed away recently. He was 80.

As president of Peterson, Brown had become an icon in the industry. He retired from Peterson in the mid 1990’s. In 1942 Brown joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in World War II, and during his time in the Navy, he played in the Navy Band. Sam had been a resident of Panama City Beach, FL for 10 years, moving there from Kansas City, KS.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Eleanor Brown of Panama City Beach; son, Chip Brown of Louisburg, KS.; daughter, Michelle Brown of Topeka, KS; two grandchildren, Shayne Brown and Christina Brown; two great-grandchildren, Alexis and Dakota Vold; brother, Lorin Brown and wife Jean; sister, Willie Prostov; and numerous nieces and nephews. The memorial service was held March 13. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Lung Association, 4300 Bayou Blvd., Suite 2, Pensacola, FL 32503.

Detroit Diesel and Freightliner Say Testing of ’07 Engines on Track

Engine maker Detroit Diesel Corp. and truck maker Freightliner LLC say their joint tests of new truck engines are on track to meet looming 2007 federal emissions standards, according to published reports. DDC will reportedly launch three new engines next year: the heavy- duty Series 60 and MBE 4000, and the medium-duty MBE 900. The engines’ readiness for Environmental Protection Agency standards next year is rooted in the testing program, which began last August. The joint testing program is comprised of various components, including test cell dynamometers, reliability testing, durability testing, and an extensive customer demonstration program. In total, across all three engines, more than 24 million test miles will be accumulated before launch in 2007, according to sources. Daimler-Chrysler owns both DDC and Freightliner.

News In Brief

  • Effective June 4, 2006. National Crankshaft Company’s (NCC) warehouse located in Anaheim, CA, will join with Engine & Performance Warehouse, Inc.’s (EPWI) eleven warehouses located in Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Dallas, Oakland (CA), Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio, Portland (OR), Tacoma and Anchorage. EPWI specializes in serving the engine parts needs of machine shops and jobber stores throughout the central plains and western United States.

  • The CD-ROM based 2005/2006 Aftermarket eFactbook, released by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), provides aftermarket professionals with an electronic pool of rich and complete data at their fingertips at all times. The CD-ROM allows charts and tables to be printed or copied and pasted into Excel, PowerPoint and other software packages, whether in the office or on the road. Created in direct response from AAIA members to allow the ability to use Factbook information electronically, the eFactbook contains identical content to the award-winning Aftermarket Factbook. The Aftermarket eFactbook is available to AAIA members for $199 and $299 to non-members. To order by phone, call 301-654-6664, or order online at www.aftermarket.org. Discounts are available for multiple copies.

  • Goodson Shop Supplies has moved from its Dallas, TX, location to a new location in Richardson, TX. The new, expanded location is a larger more modern facility. The company hosted an open house at the facility on Saturday, April 1. 2006 for the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) Spring Technical Seminar. Joe Mondello of Mondello Technical School, Domingo Gonzales of Pan American Automotive and Jim Tapp of Goodson presented tech talks on Cylinder Head Performance Techniques, Cylinder Head Disassembly & Assembly, Cylinder Head Welding and more. Engine builders can request catalogs via the Goodson Web site at www.goodson.com or by telephone: 800-533-8010 or 507-452-1830.

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Automotive Specialty-Equipment Retail Sales Reach New High

Despite what occurred throughout 2020, the specialty-equipment industry showed resilience with industry retail sales climbing from $46.2 billion to a new high of $47.89 billion in the U.S., according to the new 2021 SEMA Market Report. Related Articles – Future of Engine Building: Converting the Masses – Future of Engine Building: The Road Ahead for

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Melling, Dura-Bond Consolidate Sales and Marketing Efforts

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