Avoid Do-Overs
For those of you who have your own children or you are exposed to them on a regular basis, you know that at some point in time you are going to hear the phrase "Do Over!" What is a D.O.? It usually occurs after you have a complete and utter meltdown; a screw up; a
PERA’s Core Corner
During our research of the General Motors Gen III engine family we continued to run up against a stumbling block of exterior identification between the 4.8L and 5.3L engines. It seemed that no matter who we spoke with, be it core suppliers, wrecking yards, engineers or rebuilders, when asked how they differentiated between the 4.8L
Align Yourself
The crankshaft main bores are the foundation of every engine block. The alignment of the main bores is important because their position establishes the centerline of the crankshaft and how the crank aligns with the cylinders, deck surfaces and camshaft. Misalignment in the main bores can cause binding and premature main bearing wear. Misalignment occurs
Increased crankshaft journal dimensions for 1995-2002 Kia 1.8L VIN 5 engines.
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information on increased crankshaft journal dimensions for 1995-2002 Kia 1.8L VIN 5 engines. The main journal diameter for the crankshaft of this engine was increased beginning with the 1998 model year. Mazda manufactured these engines prior to 1998 while Kia manufactured all subsequent engines. Use caution
Valve lifter failure is experienced on Mack MIDR 06.02.12 or MIDR 06.02.26 diesel engines valve lifter failure is experienced on Mack MIDR 06.02.12 or MIDR 06.02.26 diesel engine valve lifter failure is experienced on Mack MIDR 06.02.12 or MIDR 06.02.26 d
If a lifter failed in a 2001 Mack truck, how concerned should I be about the rest of the components? If valve lifter failure is experienced on Mack MIDR 06.02.12 or MIDR 06.02.26 diesel engines with original style lifters, the AERA Technical Committee recommends that all 12 lifters and pushrods be replaced with improved components.
Incoming AERA Chairman Mike Schaefer, Southern Illinois Crankshaft
Ask Mike Schaefer, incoming chairman of the Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) what the association means to him and he’ll have an immediate and impactful answer: "Without AERA, we wouldn’t have survived." When he opened the doors to Southern Illinois Crankshaft, Red Bud, IL, in November of 1985, and bought his first crank grinder, the salesman
Are there really two different GM cranks carrying the same casting number?
A. According to the AERA Technical Committee, the answer, regarding crankshafts for the GM 2.2L VIN 4 engines built from 1996-
Repairing a Rod Journal on a Callies Aftermarket Forging
During more than 30 years in my small but comfortable shop, I have repaired thousands of crankshafts by welding. One thing I have learned in that time is that when a customer brings a crank to be repaired, you must take note of exactly what type of crankshaft you will be working on. Many of
Seizing an Opportunity – Ed Davis, Waterhouse Motors
Ed Davis’ first love was motorcycles. Beginning with motocross and taking up cross country racing later on, the Tacoma, WA, native found he had a natural ability and excelled at the two-wheeled sport. During high school and vocational industrial machinist training, Davis hoped to try the professional circuit before age got ahead of him. But,
A Kubota diesel engine for rebuild
Engine Builders: If you are considering a Kubota diesel engine for rebuild, the following specifications regarding compression pressures will be helpful. For your installer customers, this information will be useful in engine diagnosis. To obtain an accurate value of cranking compression, the engine should be operated until normal operating temperature is reached. If an engine
Engine Crack Detection Technology
It doesn’t matter if you’re rebuilding a high mileage engine and reusing salvaged components or using brand new parts right out of the box – any highly stressed component or casting that has to withstand high loads, temperatures and/or pressures should always be inspected to make sure it is free from cracks or other defects
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,
Ford 4.0L V6 Engine
The original 2.6L engine was replaced by the 2.8L, which was upgraded to the 2.9L and then finally bored and stroked to make it into the 4.0L that was used in the Rangers, Aerostars and Explorers starting in 1990. It was replaced by a SOHC engine from this same family at the end of model
Automotive Rebuilder Interview with Brad Hartmann, Hartmann Bros., Inc.
Brad Hartmann is president of Hartmann Bros. Inc., a heavy duty rebuilding operation located in Abilene, TX. He is the incoming chairman of AERA’s Vanguard committee, the group providing leadership opportunities to AERA members under the age of 40. Hartmann, 31, has been with the company since high school in the 1980s, beginning full-time employment
Toyota 3SGTE Engine
First of all, one needs to realize that Toyota, like GM, Ford, etc., has engine “families”. However, rather than calling them names such as “big block” or “small block,” Toyota assigns them a letter code. The engine family code is the first letter (not the first numeral). The codes are as follows: A-series: 1.5L, 1.6L
Machine Shop Market Profile
In Part I of our annual profile of the custom engine rebuilder/machine shop market (see June, 1999 issue, page 54) we provided details on the average number of engines, cylinder heads and crankshafts produced monthly by the typical machine shop during production year 1998. Also included in Part I
1999 Machine Shop Of The Year Award Winner: Metric Automotive Engineering Ltd
Each year, the staff at Automotive Rebuilder magazine recognizes one machine shop that displays business practices that go above and beyond the norm. This year, along with input from the Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA), we have selected Metric Automotive Engineering (Pty) Ltd., from Germiston South, Republic of South Africa. Metric was chosen from numerous entries
Rebuilding Toyota 3.0L V6 Engine
In 1988 Toyota introduced its first V6. Most of the information that follows applies to the 3.0L version used in Toyota’s truck applications. The 3.4L is still fairly new to the aftermarket at this point. 3VZ-E – 3.0L SOHC V6 – ’88-’95 The 3VZ-E was also introduced for the 1988 model year on Toyota 4×4
Jobber Rebuilt Small Parts Report
Most rebuilders will tell you that the markethas never been more competitive than it is today. Many will alsotell you that the past 12-18 months have been difficult in termsof maintaining their sales levels of rebuilt units. However, although total units sold may be downindustry wide, according to a recent survey of 1,000 jobbers acrossthe
Crankshaft Polishing: Make Sure The Journals On The Crankshaft Are Properly Polished
Today’s high output, close tolerance enginesare more dependent than ever on quality remanufacturing procedures,durable parts and precise machining. One of the best ways to assurelong bearing life in today’s engines is to make sure the journalson the crankshaft are properly polished. The oil film between the journals on the crankshaftand the loaded portion of the