Four Tips for Running a Family Business
Since its inception over 70 years ago, Bremen Castings has been a company at the forefront of the foundry industry having won numerous awards for its safety, technology and environment-friendly manufacturing. “In an industry with strong traditional roots, it’s important to have your company stay on course and to keep up with the times,”
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: June 2012
Reducing Vibrations And Chatter Vibrations when machining with extended length setups can not only cause chatter and premature tool failure, but also reduce spindle bearing life and lead to poor surface finish, dimensional control issues and premature tool wear. Shops are often forced to reduce cutting parameters to avoid chatter, decreasing productivity. Chatter occurs when
Monomoy Capital Buys Holley Performance Group
Founded in 1903, Holley markets its products through a portfolio of iconic brands, including: Holley, Hooker Headers, Flowtech, Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS), Earl’s, and Weiand. Holley is headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and operates two manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Mississippi. It employs approximately 350 associates. Justin Hillenbrand, partner of Monomoy, said, “We are very
Good Carbs And Bad Carbs
If you still have any small thought that slapping a quick kit into anold carb will be the end of it, you are deep in denial. For thatmatter, if you think that you can grab a new carb off the shelf andmake it work right, you are equally uninformed. This is important in that when
Sunnen Receives Global Pioneer Award for International Trade Initiative
Sunnen Products Company has received the 2012 Global Pioneer Award from the St. Louis Regional International Partnership (SLRIP). The award is given annually to a St. Louis-based company that demonstrates an exemplary understanding of, and commitment to, innovation for global expansion. Matthew Sunnen Kreider, president of Sunnen Products, accepted the award at the 4th annual
Protecting Your Shop’s Reputation: Be Wary Of Threats To Your Brand Name
Unfortunately, protecting your brand has become more of a challenge in the Internet age. Complaints that were once handled in person and in private are often shared online, potentially alienating new customers and making it difficult for shop owners to resolve issues. Even worse, because of the anonymous nature of the Internet, some shop owners
How to Properly Dress Crankshaft Grinding Wheels
The grinding wheel must be dressedeach time it is placed on the machine, even though it may not have beenremoved from the wheel center. Mountthe wheel dresser on the grinder table. Bring the rotating grindingwheel up close to the diamond and start the coolant flow. Never dresswithout coolant. Frictional heat buildup can cause the diamond
Diesel Connecting Rod Reconditioning
As a result, connecting rodreconditioning is a critical part of all diesel overhauls. Uponteardown, the old connecting rods are inspected, magnafluxed, checkedfor alignment, parting surfaces re-machined, and new rod bushingsinstalled and pin-fit. At the same time, the rod bolts are measured forstretch. This is all normal, day in, day out activity at any heavy duty
Cloyes Signs Exclusive Agreement with Schaeffler
Cloyes Gear & Products, Inc. recently announced that it has signed an agreement to be the exclusive distributor of Schaeffer company’s INA original equipment timing components. This exclusive offering includes timing components for the Chrysler 2.7L, Ford 2.0L, and the GM 3.6L HFV6, as well as the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) sprockets and components used
Cooling System Confusion Can Lead to Contentious Comebacks
They may or may not have had some type of formalized education – yet, they may be well versed and very savvy but have not had the infield experience as of yet. They are not necessarily young, just new to the world of engines. For them (and even for the veterans), let me give you
Engine Bearings and Crankshafts: Best Friends Forever (BFFs)
Bearings appear to be such simple engine components. On the surface, they’re just half-circles of metal whose only purpose is to reduce friction between and support moving parts. The engine bearing has to establish and maintain a film of oil between moving and stationary parts to prevent wear to expensive engine components. They look like
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That’s why you have to choose the gaskets you install very carefully. Gaskets have to fit correctly and have the durability to maintain a long lasting seal. Applications that are unusually demanding often require specially engineered gaskets that can handle higher pressures and temperatures without failing. Advancements are constantly being made in gasket materials and
Do You Have What it Takes to be the Performance Engine Builder of the Year?
Performance engine builders are a dedicated bunch. All they care about is winning – and sometimes they employ “creative” methods to win races. With that in mind, Engine builders of all sizes and types are eligible – and encouraged – to enter the Performance Engine Builder of the Year contest. “We are excited to be
To Succeed in Business Reality, You
How are your business dreams looking today? I’m not hearing about many dreams. Maybe some nightmares, but few dreams. To be truthful, we need to look at the good signs. For one, business is picking up. There seems to be a positive attitude in many places. But how many more years like 2011 can you
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: May 2012
Why Engine Valves Break The following are some of the most common reasons why engine valves break. This information is courtesy of Basso S.A., a manufacturer of engine valves for original equipment and aftermarket customers. Break between valve head and stem: Cause: Repeated stress to valve stem Contributing Factors: - Weak springs -
Performance Icon Carroll Shelby Dies at 89
In the 1960s, Shelby raised the profile of American racing machines on the international sports-car circuit by packing powerful Ford V-8 engines into lightweight British roadsters, and by developing racing cars for Ford. His Shelby Cobras proved worthy competitors to the likes of Ferrari, Maserati and Jaguar and became prized collector’s items – today they
Solving Sealing Issues on 2.5L Subaru
Federal-Mogul has introduced two next-generation Fel-Pro PermaTorque MLS head gaskets that help eliminate sealing concerns on the full range of Subaru 2.5L SOHC and DOHC “boxer” engines dating back to the 1996 model year. The new MLS head gaskets combine Federal-Mogul’s aftermarket multi-layer-steel gasket technologies with a "LaserWeld" stopper layer design, developed in partnership with
Diagnosing Faulty Spark Plug Wires
Ignitionsystems have changed a great deal in recent years, with coil-on-plug(COP) ignition systems being the most common setup on many late modelengines. COP ignition systems have a single coil for each spark plugmounted on top of the plug. This setup eliminates the need for a sparkplug wire and the troubles it can cause. Most other
Updated Torque Specs for 1999-2003 GEN III Vortec Engines
A new exhaust manifold bolt and torque specification wasintroduced to the GM GEN III Vortec small block V8 engine beginningwith the 2004 model year. When servicing and GEN III Vortec small blockexhaust manifolds, the exhaust manifold bolts should be replaced. • Use GM p/n 11518860 Exhaust Manifold Bolt Apply a .2? wide bead of high
Cleaning Engine Parts: Can You? Should You?
Here’s the kicker – those shops who feel that proper cleaning is too difficult, too time consuming or too expensive are actually leaving money on table when it comes to their engine parts. “At one point in my career, cleaning seemed like it was really difficult,” says Dave Arce of Arce Enterprises, El Cajon, CA.