Shop Solutions: July 2008
Timing Chain Tensioner Installation Caution: 1996-’06 GM 2.4L This tensioner consists of a housing and a piston. The piston has a secondary piston or plunger contained in it and must be in the compressed position for installation. When compressed, the plunger extends approximately .070? (or 1.7mm) beyond the piston cylinder. If this is not the
Pennzoil Unveils New
Pennzoil has embarked upon a new brand strategy that makes strong claims about the oil’s ability to help keep a vehicle’s engine clean. The company’s new brand initiative is built around the theme of “Feel the Clean” and will be supported by a new advertising campaign that made its debut with new television, print and
Porsche Motorsport to Launch USAC-Sanctioned Endurance Series
Each round will feature a category for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and a class for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
2023 PPIHC Race to the Clouds Summary
Colorado Springs, Colorado — The 101st Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo has wrapped up for 2023, but the stories of feats and achievements on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain continue to be told. Drivers in six divisions stepped up to podium finishes while seven race
David Donohue Sets Time Attack 1 Qualifying Record at Pikes Peak
Colorado Springs, Colorado – It’s Race Week and the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo is gearing up. The first day of practice and qualifying took place early this morning as 66 drivers got their first look at the mountain in one of three sections. LOWER
Porsche, Deluxe Corporation Expand Female Driver Development Program
Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) has announced Deluxe Corporation has expanded the Porsche Deluxe female driver development program with two more drivers, Chloe Chambers and Madeline Stewart. Chambers and Stewart are the recipients of the program’s scholarship, which includes a full-season entry with Sabré Cook in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Additionally,
Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California Announces Closure
Auto Club Dragway, the 1/4-mile drag strip in Fontana, California, has permanently closed. The below announcement was made by officials from Auto Club Speedway, the 2-mile oval track also in Fontana, California. “After careful consideration on the best direction forward for Auto Club Speedway, the difficult decision has been made to permanently close Auto Club
Most Versatile Tool and Die Shop in Wisconsin
Metal Crafters, Inc., of Stevens Point, WI, claims to be the “most versatile tool and die shop in Wisconsin.” Joe Thorn’s business does parts design and production, metal and machinery repair of all kinds.
Cycling In New Business
Adapted from Margie Siegal’s article in Motorcycle & Powersports News Take a look around your shop. You have the equipment. You have the tools and you have the employees. But do you have all of the work your shop can take on? It may be time to add a niche to your engine building services and
NADM/DIESEL Motorsports 2014 Schedule Set
The National Association of Diesel Motorsports is in its eighth year of providing Sanctioned diesel sled pulling and drag racing events across the United States. Diesel motor sports and NADM has grown quickly with events now all over the country. Many state, regional clubs/associations and diesel promoters are putting diesel events in many different rural
Getting Social: Are You Linked In LinkedIn?
Discover why LinkedIn is more than just a social networking platform but a valuable business tool for your engine shop. Are confused by LinkedIn? Don’t know what it is? Do you believe it has a place in our industry? Do you feel it’s just too complicated for you to even hope to achieve anything by
Restoration Engine Market Update
The resto market can be a good source of extra business or a solid specialization option You might joke that the restoration engine marketplace is a “dependable” business niche. Trying to get a handle on its size, shape and character depends on with whom you talk and what they consider a vintage car to be.
Five Tips to Improving as a Leader in 2013
If you are like a shop owner friend of mine, you probably don’t think of yourself as a leader; most good leaders don’t. They just do what they do … lead, and they do it so well, that others take notice. According to author and speaker John Maxwell, the essence of leadership can be summed up
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,
Fast Lane: Regional Race Tracks
By the time you read this, most racetracks will have begun their summer schedules. Sure, NASCAR has been running since February, and I’m sure many warm-weather tracks have been operating most of the year, but the majority of tracks are just beginning their seasons.If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to make
Fast Talk: Ward’s Announces ‘Top 10 Best Engines’
The winners of “Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines” each reflect a changing environment within the automotive industry, according to the publication. Where past lists have been dominated by large-displacement engines, half of this year’s list is made up of 3.0L or smaller displacement engines. Only two of the winners are larger than 3.5L, and four
Briggs & Stratton Race Engines
Briggs & Stratton may not sound much like a racing pedigree to anyone not involved in karting, but to those in the know, it’s a name that carries great power and respect. Most engine builders are probably familiar with Briggs & Stratton engines, but not in racing applications – your lawnmower or other garden equipment
Fast Lane: Old-Time Engines Can Bring In Very Modern Profits
Perhaps one of the most often overlooked markets for many shops is the collector car and restoration market, and within this I would also include antique trucks of all sizes, antique tractors and farm machinery and antique construction equipment and machinery. We discussed a few of these markets, such as muscle cars and antique tractor
Fast Lane: Boundless Opportunities Await You in 2005
By now you have all made your New Year’s resolutions, and hopefully, at least one of those goals tions is to look for new opportunities that will help your business become even more successful. This month’s column should give you some help in keeping that resolution. The elections are finally over and the economy is
Little Engines, Big Money
For the rebuilding facility familiar with typical automotive or heavy-duty engines, the small displacement, four-cycle, air-cooled engine may seem insignificant. After all, these one-cylinder motors, which may produce just 5 hp, are found in lawn mowers, rototillers and kiddy go karts, for cryin’ out loud! Although the small four-cycle engines from Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh,