Program Manager - PROformance Powertrain Products
PERA’S Core Corner: No Tricks: Eliminating The Low Oil Pressure Gremlin

Since this is the month of screams and fright, of ghouls, goblins and gremlins (no, not the “classic” AMC car from the ’70s – although that was scary enough) I am taking the opportunity to try and help eliminate one of them. This month’s Core Corner is more about being helpful or informative rather than

PERA’S Core Corner: Sometimes Engineering Changes Actually Make Sense

As much fun as it is to play detective, research obscure facts and unravel engineering messes myself, sometimes I totally enjoy running across things that just plain make sense. Often, many of these things are after-the-fact thoughts, but that is why hindsight is always 20/20. For those in the engineering world, these would be running

Rebuilding the International 6.9/7.3L Powerstroke Engine

One solution to that problem is the diesel engine with more torque, horse power and better fuel economy. This applies not only to heavy duty applications but small displacement turbocharged inter-cooled diesels as well. The diesel engine will play just as important part of the future of the automotive industry as the Hybrid. If you

PERA’s Core Corner: It’s Time To Say Goodbye To An Old Friend

by Roy Berndt I have a La-Z-Boy recliner that I probably should have retired ten years ago. Yet even today, it’s one of the most comfortable chairs that I have ever sat in. Because I hate the thought of giving it up, my next move will be to put it in the garage, where I

PERA’S Core Corner: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words; Real Money, Too

After attending the 2006 PERA Spring Tech Program in Dallas, TX, at the end of March, I came back with information that must be shared with everyone. Imagine being able to have something that will provide you a thousand times the return every time that you use it? Do you think that you could get

PERA’s Core Corner: Updating Your Understanding Of Chrysler’s NGC

Last November’s Core Corner, titled “Understanding Chrysler’s Next Generation Controllers” (November 2005 Engine Builder, page 24) did not include any images of the different cam gears since all you needed to know for identification was that “NGC” was stamped on the gears in question. REPLACEMENT CHART Note: SBEC means Single Board Engine Controller (passenger car

PERA’s Core Corner, Fighting Truth Decay About Cavitation Damage

It’s amazing how something that may be damaging or corrosive in one circumstance can be of great value in another, like using extremely dangerous explosives to put out an oil well fire. This month we are going to talk about a similar action yet on a much smaller scale, microscopic actually, and it’s called “cavitation.”

PERA’s Core Corner: Back To the Basics On Engine Bearings

Have you ever heard the phrase “old wives’ tales?” My father used it all the time whenever something didn’t seem to make sense to him for the moment. For instance, most everyone knows this one: hang a horseshoe over your door for good luck. Now most of the world will do so with the open

PERA’s Core Corner: Getting A Leg Up On The Ford Duratec Cover-Up

No matter how much the engine remanufacturing and building industry changes, one thing will always remain the same. Identifying what type of engine on which you’re working will be an important – and challenging – part of the process. Today the front cover has become such an integral part of application identification that it has

Rebuilding the Ford 3.0L

This engine came out of the Cleveland Engine Plant #2 (CEP2), originally opened in 1955 to manufacture the 361 cid truck engine. By 1985, this facility was down to 400 employees and on the verge of closing. Then in 1988, plant renovation was begun (with the 3.0L Duratec engine family on the drawing board) at

PERA Core Corner: The Latest Update On The Great Ford 4.6L Cover Up

Back in August of 2004 I provided you with information on the front covers on the 4.6L Ford SOHC V8 engines. The data here is an update to that information with an updated chart to rapidly identify the covers. If you are using the older chart it is time to discard it and use the

PERA’S Core Corner: Looking For Leakers In Ford’s Duratec 3.0L Engines

Living in a home that was built in 1910 is a bit like living in a piece of history, and the character that goes along with it is truly fulfilling. Yet a home this old does bring its own challenges, so during the past month or so I have been replacing the remaining cast iron