Shell Ecobox Efficiently Delivers Oil To Engines; Significantly Reduces Plastic Waste
Through its design, Ecobox can help owners and operators of oil change facilities more efficiently store, manage and deliver oil to their customers’ vehicles. The bag containing the oil in the Ecobox carton is designed to help improve speed and ease of use compared to bottles, as it drains quickly, leaves minimal residual oil behind
Federal-Mogul Launches Next-Generation Electronic Catalog
Federal-Mogul Corporation has launched a dynamic, next-generation electronic catalog – available at www.fme-cat.com– to help aftermarket distributors, auto parts stores, professionalautomotive repair technicians and consumers find high quality parts forany of millions of passenger and commercial vehicles as well asperformance, marine, agricultural/industrial and small-engineapplications. Available 24/7, the interactive new eCatalog features a user-friendlyinterface, expanded functionality
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: April 2010
Employee Education Without ASE Machinists Certifications Back in January in this column we talked about dealing with bad employees. This month I would like to express how important it is to keep yourself and your employees up to speed with our industry. Keep in mind that ASE will no longer be offering its Machinist certifications
ASE Discontinues Engine Machinist Certification Test
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)announced recently that, effective December 31, 2010, it will no longer offer the Engine Machinist (M-Series) test as part of its certification program. The last opportunity totake the Engine Machinist test willbe the 2010 Fall testing administration in November, which will extendASE certification credentials in the affected areas
Caburetors and Electronic Fuel Injection Systems
These days just about everyone is looking to new technology to solve their problems. In some cases it makes sense: others, not so much. Take the trusty old carburetor for example: it has been around since the beginning of time (automotive time anyway), and many have predicted its demise, but somehow it keeps coming back
The Way You Want It or The Way They Want It
Facebook, Twitter, Instant message, e-mail, e-Newsletter, Website, Print, Phone, Fax. There are many ways to communicate with an audience these days.Depending on the month, day or year, some are more popular than others.But popular does not always mean efficient. Some of these options aremore cost efficient than others, but cost efficient also does notalways equate
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: January 2010
Dealing With Bad Employees One of the fastest ways to lose control of your business is to let a bad employee take control of your shop and ruin the overall moral. Pay attention to your people and understand that when things change in their lives it can affect the attitude they have at work. If
International Lubricants, Inc., Unveils New Website
LUBEGARD by International Lubricants, Inc. (ILI) unveiled its completely new and upgraded website, featuring a new and improved look, easier navigation, current and relevant product information and downloads, and an online store. “Due to constant demand from end users around the world, we made it easier than ever for any type of user, whether it’s
Diesel Enthusiasm Often Tempered By Fear of the Unknown
Most automotive guys understand the principles of an internal combustion engine. Whether it is gasoline or diesel these are fuel, fire, and compression! Without one of these ingredients, the internal combustion engine will not function. So what is it about diesel engine rebuilding that makes automotive guys so nervous? This basically comes down to what
Balance of Power
Everyone is looking for balance in their lives – balance between work and family, between responsibility and recreation, between give and take. Too much of one at the expense of the other can lead to dire consequences. The same thing can be said about the engines you rebuild. Balance between the crankshaft and its related
Turbocharging’s Not Just A Lot of Hot Air
With the uncertainty of fuel prices and the concern that gasoline couldagain top $4 a gallon across the nation, Americans have been shiftingtheir vehicle-buying behaviors toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. While gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have been getting much of theattention as the next step in fuel-sipping vehicles, turbocharging —which is used by roughly half of new
Ohio Technical College Celebrates 40 Years of Automotive Training
Alot has changed in the world of automotive technology since 1969, withV8 muscle cars making way for high-tech hybrids and the days ofdo-it-yourself repairs being replaced by professional technicianservice. The same holds true for leading automotive school OhioTechnical College, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary as apremier provider of hands-on technical training. This milestone
Free Brochures from Engine Repower Council to Help Shops Promote Fall Car Care Month
The Engine Repower Council (ERC) supports Fall Car Care Month and thinks it is a great opportunity for vehicle service technicians to educate consumers about remanufactured/rebuilt engines. To help in this effort, the Engine Repower Council is offering free consumer informational brochures to help service technicians communicate the advantages and benefits of engine repowering to
Manage, Lead, Train or Educate?
Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of management material that was written by Peter Drucker, who is generally recognized as “the father of modern management.” His style leans toward understanding relationships within management teams and bringing out the best in people to produce excellent results. This leads me to ask, if you were to evaluate
Shop Management: What is a Shop Foreman?
A few years ago, it seemed that nearly every shop had a foreman.However, over the years I’ve noticed that the foreman position has beendissolved. Little by little, shops have gotten away from having aforeman and simply have a manager with direct control over thetechnicians. Why? Is it to “downsize” and save the costs associatedwith this
Engine Blocks & Cylinder Sleeves
In our February 2009 issue, Technical Editor Larry Carley provided a comprehensive overview of the changes in engine blocks over the years. Thanks in part to natural attrition (after all, many of the most popular engines were actually designed and built more than 50 years ago) and the high price for scrap metal in the
Federal-Mogul Expands Fel-Pro Gaskets Line
Federal-Mogul’sFel-Pro gaskets product line has been expanded to increase the brand’scoverage of late-model domestic and foreign-nameplate vehicles. TheFel-Pro brand’s focus on providing 100 percent sealing coverage forpopular late-model and older applications helps engine rebuilders andrepair shops capture and service larger shares of the automotive andlight-truck sealing markets. The expanded Fel-Pro product line – which now
Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 Resumes Production; First Site to Build EcoBoost Engines
FordMotor Co. is resuming production at its storied Cleveland Engine PlantNo. 1, which becomes the first manufacturing site to build Ford’s newfuel-efficient EcoBoost engines. The plant, idled since 2007, is ramping up pre-production of 3.5-literEcoBoost V-6 engines that will be optional on the 2010 Lincoln MKS,Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and come standard on the
Association of Diesel Specialists Announces 2009 International Convention and Tradeshow
The 2009 ADS International Convention and Tradeshow is set for Wednesday, August 5 to Sunday, August 10, 2009 at the spectacular new Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is the cornerstone of National Harbor. This full-service luxury hotel is designed to offer guests a complete
Hastings Manufacturing Launches Multi Warehouse e-Ring Center
HastingsManufacturing Company, LLC, a nearly 100-year-old American manufacturerof piston rings, has announced the opening of a secure customerextranet, or “e-Ring Center,” that integrates their national network ofcommercial warehouses. The e-Ring Center provides real-time content onproduct availability, order history, and the ability to place ordersonline. The benefits of the Hastings’ e-Ring Center to theircustomers are three-fold.