Profiting From Personal Performance
Ifyou’ve been following my articles over the last year, you may bestarting to get some new ideas for finding profits in selling highperformance engines, parts and accessories. We’ve discussed various sales techniques to battle internet and catalogparts sales, or “walk-in parts,” as I like to call them. I wrote aboutstrategies and gave them creative names
Executive Interview with Bill Skok, President of Elgin Industries
BillSkok is president of Elgin Industries, a leading global manufacturer oforiginal equipment and replacement engine and chassis products for theautomotive and commercial vehicle markets. Skok joined the company,founded in 1919 by his grandfather, Martin Skok Sr., as governmentsales administrator in 1985 and became vice president of OEM sales in1988. He was named president of the
PERA Spring Technical Conference Wrap Up
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) recently held its Spring Technical Meeting at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. Approximately 56 attendees representing 11 production engine remanufacturers (PERs), and 23 manufacturers and other suppliers attended the event. Presentations on Alternative Fuels, Understanding Zinc in Engine Oils and a Comprehensive View of Synthetic
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
Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, people have known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubic dollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes – bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get the performance they want
Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, peoplehave known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubicdollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes –bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get theperformance they want from the available components.
PERA Spring Tech Meeting Preliminary Schedule
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) has announced its preliminary program for the upcomping Spring Tech Meeting to be held at Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. In addition to an impressive line up of speakers, Richard Childress Racing has agreed to let PERA tour their shop. Hendrick Motor Sports will also host
2009 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week Education Program Announced
The Heavy Duty AftermarketWeek (HDAW) ’09 Education Committee has defined six education programsbased upon the event theme, "Maximizing Opportunities in ChallengingTimes." HDAW will be held Monday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 19, atthe Rosen Centre Hotel and Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,Fla. Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week is an all-industry, independentdistributor focused, all-inclusive, business to
Cylinder Head Cleaning
Being an engine builder is like being a chef. As a master of culinary arts you may prepare the most exquisite meals anyone has ever tasted, but a great dining experience can be easily ruined if the vegetables are not thoroughly cleaned. For more and more engine builders, aqueous cleaning systems are the new standard
Stovebolt Chevy Engine Sealing
Machine shop staff tend to forget their capabilities. They get into a groove that works and then resist change. This not only precludes improvement, but fails to address problems with new solutions that actually work. Case in point: Leaking rear main seals on vintage engines with rope seals. The Stovebolt Chevys (inline sixes – 235
Executive Interview with Michael Tate, General Manager, MAHLE Clevite Inc.
From aftermarketNews.com In September, Michael Tate joined MAHLE Clevite as general manager. He brings 26 years of aftermarket experience to MAHLE Clevite, most recently with SPX Service Solutions. In addition to SPX, Tate held a variety of sales management positions with such companies as Parker Automotive, Dorman Products and Phillips & Temro Industries. As GM
Hey, It
Wherever two or more shall gather… Somebody is bound to be too hot or too cold! It seems to be a fact of life, people can never agree about the temperature inside. This one says it’s too hot, while that one says it’s too cold. One thing we can all agree on is that we
Coretalk: Performance Marine Industry Expo To Launch In Las Vegas
The theme of the show is “Experience the Power, the Passion and the Performance.” Consumers will be able to see boats in action at Lake Mead, performance test new boats and test boats they purchased at the show. Performance Marine Industry Expo is the result of ConvExx, producer of the internationally acclaimed SEMA show, teaming
Coretalk: Key Industry Speakers Slated For PERA’s Chicago Convention
Yastrow and Som will discuss “Current Issues in Employment-Related U.S. Immigration Law: I-9 Compliance, Visa Updates.” In addition to addressing hot topics and compliance tips, they will provide answers to your specific questions.Bob McKenna, President/CEO of Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and Past President of NAPA, will be speaking on “Motor Vehicle Parts Suppliers
Cleaning Engine Parts – In The Real World
Regardless of what kind of engine work you do, cleaning the parts is almost always the first step in any job. Parts need to be cleaned before they are machined for a variety of reasons: it helps keep your shop equipment cleaner (which means less mess and cleanup later), it uncovers the bare metal surface
Coretalk: Pro Motor Engine Team Sets Clevite Showdown Record To Win Finals
>Borem and Hoffman, who had an engine-build time of 16 minutes and 25 seconds, with no penalties, went head-to-head with Hendrick Motorsports’ Kevin Webber and Scott Vester, who finished second with a build time of 17 minutes and 47 seconds with no penalties. For their efforts (the third fastest build time overall), Webber and Vester
Honing Stones & Equipment
The finish on the cylinder walls is critical for proper piston ringlubrication and sealing. The bore geometry is also important, and mustbe round, cylindrical and straight for optimum sealing and minimumblowby. The equipment used to hone cylinders has changed in recent years as thedemand for better surface finishes, faster cycle times and lowerproduction costs have
From Block Work to Manufacturing – CNC Machines Wear Many Hats
From a shop owner’s perspective, a good employee is one who’s never late, is extremely productive and never asks for a raise. Enter the perfect employee: the multi-purpose computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine center can do the work of several employees and never complain about it. There is no doubt that today’s machine shops must
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: Everyone who works with cars or trucks is familiar with the terms Torque and Horsepower. But do you understand the difference between the two and can you explain it to your customer? It’s important to have a sound understanding of both and the ability to comprehend what defines each measurement of output. By
Blasting Equipment & Media
In today’s society, finding “the next big thing” seems to be all the rage. We no longer want to do things the same way and seem to keep asking “what’s the latest and greatest?” High technology and computerization have made many tedious everyday tasks a breeze, from communication to entertaining to operating your business. But