Choosing Aftermarket BBC Cylinder Heads for Street/Strip Applications
In 1958, Chevrolet released the first big block for use in its trucks and heavier passenger cars. It was called the “W” engine and it came in three engine displacements until 1965: 348 cid, 409 cid and 427 cid. After Chevy introduced its “mystery engine” to NASCAR in 1962 with a combustion chamber and canted
Rebuilding the CAT 3208 Diesel
Since information from Caterpillar is always held very tight within the family it was very hard to get an accurate history of how the relationship all came about, so if I’m a bit off in my timeline, forgive me. I assure you, it won’t affect the content of this article. The bottom line is, Ford
Ford to Speed Up Production of Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Ford Motor Co. is adding several new North American products in the near- andmid- term, and shifting from a primary emphasis on large trucks andSUVs to smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to recent reports. By the end of 2010,two-thirds of spending will be on cars and crossovers – up fromone-half today. A company spokesman
Still The Same Old Grind?
The market for crankshaft grinding has changed a great deal in recent years. With many passenger car and light truck engines now lasting upward of 200,000 miles, there’s much less demand for grinding crankshafts than there used to be. By the time the engine needs major work, the vehicle has often depreciated to the point
Ram Tough Rebuild
The B-series Cummins engine may potentially go down in history as the single most important engine development project, strategic market share gain and opportunity for diversification partnerships in Cummins history. The Cummins B-series is a family of four- and six-cylinder inline engines known as the “one-liter per cylinder” in both the popular 3.9L four-cylinder and
Cummins Lift Pump Leakage Due to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
Cummins has issued a caution regarding a potential lift pump fuel leak if a customer switches to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel after using Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) fuel. This information affects Cummins ISB and QSB CM550, ISC, QSC, ISL, and QSL CM554 engines. The manufacturer of these engines says that due to fuel
Choosing A Replacement Camshaft
Unless you are doing a totally stock rebuild and reusing the original camshaft, selecting a camshaft depends on what kind of engine you are building and how that engine will be used. A stock engine for a daily driver is obviously an entirely different application than an big stroker motor for a Pro Stock racer.
From ATVs to Karting to Everything In Between
While small engines are in many types of equipment and toys, there isn’t anything small about their potential for engine builders to make a profit. From karts to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to motorcycles, for many engine builders looking to add profit margins to their business or to get into a specialized area of the industry,
Scratching The Niche
If you have been a reader of this magazine for any length of time, you’ll know that one thing is certain: this isn’t the same industry it was even just a few years ago. Not so long ago, a car or truck that was more than six years old would have been considered a junker,
Riding the Powersport Wave
If you just look at the number of engines being built year after year – a steady downward trend – it may seem like there is no way to survive in this industry by building production automotive engines. However, most shops that are thriving have found something that gives them an edge. You have to
Cleaning Engine Parts – In The Real World
Regardless of what kind of engine work you do, cleaning the parts is almost always the first step in any job. Parts need to be cleaned before they are machined for a variety of reasons: it helps keep your shop equipment cleaner (which means less mess and cleanup later), it uncovers the bare metal surface
Coretalk: Maxiforce Makes List Of Top Minority-Owned Businesses In Miami
“It’s a fantastic honor to be distinguished among so many impressive minority-owned enterprises in this city,” said Santiago Morales, CEO of Maxiforce. “We have always strived to understand the needs of our customers in both the United States and around the world, and we believe these awards underscore the importance of such efforts.” Specializing in
PERA President Mark Fellanto
On the surface, you might suppose that Mark Fellanto, incoming president of the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) is a pretty simple fellow. You can set your watch by his daily routine. Even he admits that if someone was looking to do him in, he wouldn’t be hard to track down. Fellanto rarely veers from
Coretalk: House Approves Bill To Increase Ethanol Fueling Pumps At Gas Stations
At this time, only 800 gas stations have E-85 pumps installed, less than one percent of all gas stations. Automakers incur about $20 million in CAFE fines annually. Supporters hope this money could double the number of pumps available to dispense ethanol or other alternative fuel. The bill would provide grants of between $30,000 and
Coretalk: Ultimate Golden Mechanic To Win $25,000, Year’s Worth Of Fuel From BP
BP is looking for an ideal candidate who has premium auto repair skills, a charismatic personality, is active in his or her community and is environmentally conscious. Independent auto technicians over the age of 21 are eligible to enter the contest. BP will select the three best mechanics who will receive an all-expenses paid three-day/two-night
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: One of the great debates in automotive service is oil drain intervals. The correct oil change interval is the one prescribed by the engine manufacturer that can be found in a vehicle owner’s manual. Oil drain interval is determined by the engine type, drive train, vehicle type and expected use. Each OEM tests
Coretalk: Consolidated Mfg. Cuts Staff, Shifts Focus Away From Remanufacturing
During a plantwide meeting in late February, company officials told 100 workers their jobs were eliminated. The company retained 20 employees for 30 to 60 days to handle the transition, said Greg Gordon, company president. Consolidated will retain 18 employees. The company, founded in 1940 and one of the nation’s first Ford Motor Co. engine
Heavy Duty Diesel Rebuilding Opportunities
It’s certainly no secret that the engine rebuilding industry has been hurt by better quality, longer-lasting automobile engines. The same thing – but taken to an even greater extreme – can be said about the heavy duty diesel engine market. “The quality of today’s engines – both automotive and diesel – is so much better
Today’s Machining Centers Offer More Bang for the Buck
More bang for the buck. That’s what many machine shop owners say they’re looking for when considering a major equipment purchase. Because today’s machine shops are fewer in number and often smaller, it’s important for them to have as much capability as possible in every piece of equipment to maximize the return on investment, utilization