November 2014 Shop Solutions
One of the main problems with blocks that need to be align-bored is the lack of squish between the main cap and the block. What I am referring to is the interference fit between the cap and main register that holds the cap in alignment, and is the reason a light tap is needed to seat the cap. If the caps do not fit tight, the crank will not be held as solidly as it was intended, and also results in inconsistent bearing clearances.
Must Have Shop Tools & Measuring Equipment
You can’t do quality work in an automotive machine shop if you don’t have the right tools and measuring equipment. “Must have” tools and equipment include those that are necessary for engine disassembly, for inspecting and measuring engine components, and for engine assembly.
ExxonMobil SAE 0W-20 Viscosity Motor Oil
With automotive manufacturers recommending lower viscosity motor oils, ExxonMobil added SAE 0W-20 viscosity to its Mobil 1 Extended Performance product line. Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 provides outstanding levels of performance, cleaning power and engine protection for up to 15,000 miles between oil changes.
Shop Solutions August 2014
Cleaning Bucket Style Hydraulic Lifters Unlike their flat tappet cousins, bucket style hydraulic lifters can often be reused if inspected, validated and cleaned. The problem is taking them apart. I developed this hammer tool to separate the plunger from the body. Insert the bucket (upside down) and secure with the cover plate. Next, a few good blows
Preventing Flat Tappet Cam Failures
Flat tappet cams, with either solid or hydraulic lifters, are commonly used in many street and performance engines. It’s a simple design that works well, provided there’s adequate lubrication between the lifters and cam lobes to prevent wear that can wipe out a cam and/or lifters. The problem is today’s motor oils contain much less
Green Strategies: Using Less to Do More
There are several memes associated with “going green.” For some, an image of a person donning a tie-dye shirt while holding up a peace sign may come to mind. For shop owner Stan White, that person’s in clean business attire. “A nicely dressed woman comes to my shop with a smile on her face,” said
Tips to Keep the Shop Clean from Top to Bottom
To help engine and performance shops improve cleanliness and productivity, Cintas Corporation offers 10 tips for maintaining a clean shop environment. 1. Plan daily floor maintenance. Shop floor cleanliness is increasingly important as many technicians take customers into the service area to discuss their vehicle’s condition. To keep floors in the teardown/rebuilding area clean, develop
A Fitting Solution to Lasting Longer
Since 2000, Abradable Powder Coatings have been used in auto production to coat supercharger rotors. These “clearance coatings” can also be used to safely minimize piston clearances, minimize piston rock and slap and promote better ring sealing and increase power. When clearance coatings are used, leak down lasts longer, too. For the last eight years,
Subaru Outback Head Gasket Repair
Head gasket failure has been something Subaru has struggled with to some extent since the 1980s. There are many thoughts as to why head gasket failure on Subaru has continued. As a shop owner who specializes in the repair of Japanese vehicles, I thought I’d share some tips on Subarus. Head gasket failure has been
Phaser-Style Variable Valve Timing System Controls and Operation
By Matt Dixon, assistant professor, Southern Illinois University Vehicles with variable valve timing (VVT) have become commonplace over the last decade. Even more commonplace are engines that use a phaser to manipulate camshaft position and, hence, valve timing. (See Figure 1.) The phaser style of VVT is the focus of this article. Figure 2: The
Hydraulic Lash Adjuster Noise on 1990-93 Mazda 1.6L DOHC
This condition may be caused by restricted oil flow throughthe hydraulic lash adjusters (HLAs). The noise is common after cold engine starts or when returning to idleafter highway driving speeds. To correct the noise condition, HLAs havebeen modified to increase oil circulation. If a customer complains ofHLA noise and the engine is within specified range,
Fire Prevention: How To Keep Your Shop in Business
In each of these cases, there was extensive damage to the buildings, inventory and equipment. Business was disrupted, customers inconvenienced and profits lost forever. According to statistics, some of these companies will never recover. They will either never reopen or will be out of business within five years. It is a fact that many businesses
Dry Sump Oiling Systems
Dry sump oil systems are used on all kinds of racing applications from NASCAR, circle track, road course and Formula One racing to ProStock drag racing. Dry sump oil systems are even found in some current production applications such as the LS9, LS7 and LS3 engines in late model Corvette ZR1, ZO6 and Grand Sport
Getting Your Bearings
Engine bearings have a tough job to do for such a small component. They must support big loads on a thin film of oil (between .0001-.0004? thick) between themselves and the crankshaft journals to prevent metal-to-metal contact. One of the biggest causes of bearing failures is dirt and debris that enters into the oil pan
Understanding and Profiting From the Caterpillar C7
I believe society naturally directs the outcome of its environment: if someone manages a quality independent automotive repair shop, they will always be looking for ways to increase their education and specialty tools as technology changes. In order to take care of their customers when the warranty runs out and they no longer visit the
It’s All About The Choices
When I had difficulty coming up with ideas worthy of the space between the covers of this magazine it took only a couple of phone calls from customers before the light bulb came on: I realized I needed to examine the past to address the present. After two or three calls from customers relating their
Keeping Valve Jobs Profitable
Okay, so head work accounts for a large percentage of your business. But is it as profitable as it should be or could be? Do you have a good handle on cylinder head related costs (parts, labor and cleaning)? Are the employees who are doing the head work competent and productive? Is your valve guide
Tips and Tricks For Quickly and Accurately Detecting Cracks
Dry Method Magnetic Particle Inspection When "Magnafluxing" a casting, never blast with media prior to testing.Blast media peens the surface and can move metal, possibly closing thevery cracks or flaws that you are trying to identify. When very coarsewire brushes are used roughly, they can also mask these areas. Usuallythe casting itself, without cleaning, is
What You Can
To put things in perspective, .0015? isequal to 32 micron. These particles are small enough to get into that space justahead of the cam lobe and lifter contact area. Small particles can get in betweenthe roller and the axle on a roller lifter. Even worse, hard particles canscore the bore of the plunger in hydraulic
2012 Machine Shop Market Profile – Part 1
Because of the years of continuous data we’ve collected, we believe the information in this study is the most reliable data available for tracking trends in the production of engines, cylinder heads and crankshafts, as well as specific business data. While it isn’t always a rosy one, the picture that develops from our survey gives