1996 Editions Archives - Engine Builder Magazine
Reducing VOCs In The Shop

Well, here we are again, talking about how to reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in your shop. It’s surprising, in light of today’s regulatory environment, to see how many businesses still don’t even think or care about the subject…but it’s an important part of our business lives. In some states it seems that VOCs are

Shot Blasting Equipment Maintenance: Simple Does Not Mean Maintenance-Free

The technology of hurling steel or glass shot at more than 100 mph is pretty simple. But in the world of shot blasting machines, simple does not mean maintenance-free. The essence of these machines, no matter what their design, is that clean core parts come at the price of dramatic wear-down of media, as well

Diesel Dialog: The Nature Of The Diesel Aftermarket Has Become Increasingly Competitive

In recent years, the nature of the diesel aftermarket has become increasingly competitive. Many of the bread-and-butter engines that diesel shops have focused on have become so common that the factory replacement parts and reman engines available leave little profit to be made by the machine shop trying to stay competitive. One important factor in

Rebuilt Market Reviews – Clutches Market: New Rules And A Changing Field Of Players.

Anybody who’s in the clutch rebuilding business today knows that it’s an entirely different ball game, one with new rules and a changing field of players. A proliferation of new passenger car and light truck clutches in recent years, plus an influx of low-cost new clutches from offshore manufacturers, has driven the cost of new

Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electrical Market

Though the overall demand for rebuilt alternators and starters continues to be relatively soft, particularly in the Midwest and Northeastern parts of the United States, sales, in general, have been up in the South. Weather seems to play a major role in driving the demand for electrical products. Cold winters are hard on starters and

Rebuilt Market Reviews – Brakes Market: Rebuilders And Suppliers Chant The Same Mantra

When it comes to current trends in the brake rebuilding market, rebuilders and suppliers chant the same mantra – “price” and “quality.” Both are the primary forces driving parts and equipment suppliers’ and rebuilders’ business. Consumers demand the best performing materials, but of course, at the lowest possible price. Unfortunately, say many rebuilders and their

Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electronics Market

If flexibility and the ability to quickly diversify are the marks of a successful rebuilder, then Denver, CO-based electronics rebuilding specialists, cciUPTIME, was destined for this industry. cciUPTIME remanufactures electronic control modules (ECMs) for Mercedes-Benz and other high-end import vehicles. These units include everything from on-board computers to climate control, cruise control, idle speed control,

Rebuilt Market Reviews – Cores Market: The Perfect Example Of Supply And Demand

In some businesses, the classic law of supply and demand is hard to identify. But that’s not the case in the core business. “The core market is the perfect example of supply and demand,” comments John Lathan, plant engineer at The Hastings Co., a rebuilder in King, NC. “When one company is looking for a

Rebuilt Market Reviews – Engines Market

Total engines remanufactured by all production engine remanufacturers (PERs) in 1995 increased a modest 3.5%, growing to 1.318 million units last year compared to 1.273 million units produced in 1994. Production totals are based on a U.S. and Canadian universe of 120 PERs that produced an average of 10,609 remanufactured engines annually in 1995. Survey

Cv Market Travels Fast Track: Power To The Front Wheels Is The Drive System Of The Present And Future

Although sport utility vehicles, many still with rear wheel drive, are the hot sellers right now, few will dispute that power to the front wheels is the drive system of the present and future. A market for rebuilt front wheel drive axles and CV joints will be around for a long, long time. With few

Engine Installation – A Growing Opportunity?

Engine rebuilders who are looking to expand their share of themarket may want to consider engine installations. Although somerebuilders may think installations are better left untouched,others are finding installations provide a profitable niche ina competitive market. Terry O’Donnell, manager of RPM Engines andMachines, Rohnert Park, CA, is just one of many rebuilders inthe industry who

Grinding Techniques: In Thousands Of Years, The Basics Of Grinding Haven’t Changed

Grinding is one of the oldest methods known for shaping and sharpening objects. It was first used in prehistoric times to make weapons and other tools by rubbing wood, stones, bones and eventually metal against hard, abrasive rocks. In thousands of years, the basics of grinding haven’t changed. We’re still rubbing an abrasive against metal