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 – 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 – 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
Perspective On Using CBN Versus Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) Cutters
In your June Shop Line you offered Jerry Lawson’s of DCM Tech, Inc., perspective on using CBN versus poly crystalline diamond (PCD) cutters. Have any other manufacturers voiced their opinions? In PERA’s May 1996 Current Concerns publication, Andy Rottler of Rottler Manufacturing made the following observations on CBN versus PCD cutters:Rottler says that due to
Letters: Test Data For Failing Rectifiers Requested
The article by Donald Yuhas, “Dissecting CS-130 Diode Failure,” in the May, 1996 issue of Automotive Rebuilder gave electrical rebuilders insights into the ways that diodes can fail. The author concluded that high “current pulse” technology is needed for successful screening-out of diodes that will likely fail in the vehicle.While I share that conclusion, the
Caliper Clinic: Rebuilders Not Only Can Improve An OE Design, But They Can Also Improve The Consumers’ Opinion
Rebuilders not only can improve an OE design, but they can also improve the consumers’ opinion about the rebuilt auto parts business, in general. Many people still believe that all rebuilt parts are sub-standard compared with original equipment parts. However, most rebuilders are continually working to improve the reputation of rebuilt parts by producing quality
Complete Circuit: The Components That Are The Cause Of Most Starter Failures
If you had to categorize the components that are the cause of most starter failures, the starter solenoid, without a doubt would be on top of the list. The starter drive may come in a close second. Some large rebuilders may opt to rebuild their starter solenoids in-house or have them built to their specifications,
Eis Brake Parts: Consists Of Five Separate Remanufacturing Facilities In The U.S. And Canada
EIS Brake Parts has come a long way since it began as a manufacturer of hydraulic brake hose couplings back in the early 1930s. Today the company, which became a division of Standard Motor Products in 1986, consists of five separate remanufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada. The facilities are located in Berlin, CT;
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
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
What Is The Recommended Surface Finish
Shop Line, Automotive Rebuilder, July 1996 Q A In the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association’s (PERA) May 1996 edition of Current Concerns, Ed Keibler of Sunnen Products Co., St. Louis, MO, says that the typical Ra finish on cast iron should be 60 to 110 Ra. On aluminum cylinder heads it is much smoother – typically
Cam Timing Chain Marks On 1976-’88
The Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) offers the following information regarding cam timing chain marks on 1976-’88 Isuzu 1.8L and 1.9L engines. Confusion may begin when reading the service manual information referencing marked plates on the cam timing chain. Apparently, some aftermarket timing chains don’t have the marked plates which indicate the correct positioning for
Turn of the Wheel: Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA) CV and Rack Clinic
Once again the Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA) CV and Rack Clinic held May 4-5 in Chicago, was a huge success.Rich Lovely of Powerline, Inc., Roebuck, SC, and chairman of the APRA clinic did a fantastic job recruiting speakers and handling the many program details. The topic on grinding did not seem as heated as
Valve Guide Repair Options
One thing you can almost always count on when rebuilding a cylinder head is worn valve guides. The guides experience a lot of wear because of the constant friction between the guide and stem. To make matters worse, positive valve seals on late model engines prevent the guides from receiving much lubrication. Side forces on
Making Power From Big Block Fords
As noted last month, the first part of a big block Ford power program is to select the appropriate components and machine them properly. Part two entails coordinating the camshaft and valvetrain with an engine’s intended use, and then bolting everything together using proven high performance techniques. According to high performance Ford specialist Norm Wizner,
Lane Parts Co.: Many Rebuilders Are In A State Of Transition
It seems that many rebuilders are in a state of transition. Whether it’s due to changing ownership, technology, products or markets, almost all machine shops and engine rebuilders are facing increasing competition in an increasingly consolidated market. Lane Parts Co., Eugene, OR, Automotive Rebuilder’s 1996 Machine Shop of the Year, is no exception. This Northwest
Machine Shop Performance: This Month We Complete Our Extensive Market Profile
Part I of last month’s profile of the machine shop market revealed that engine production in business year 1995 was almost identical to that recorded in 1994. Based on a universe of 6,000 to 8,000 full-service machine shops, custom engine rebuilders produced between 1.4 million to 1.87 million engines in 1995. Last month’s data provided