Heavy-Duty Coolant Options
While the fundamental duty of engine coolants has not changed – they must transfer excess heat and offer freeze and boiling protection, plus corrosion and liner protection – modern coolants must transfer more heat than in the past, largely due to new emissions systems. When considering the energy consumed to power a heavy-duty diesel
Racing Rocker Arm Technology
The rocker arms play a more important role than ever these days in high performance valvetrains. The rockers are the teeter-totters that translate the upward motion of the lifters and pushrods to the downward motion that opens the valves. It seems like a relatively simple task, but it demands the utmost from the design of
Crank It Up
Whether you think diesel crankshafts are the same as or different from their smaller gasoline counterparts, you’re right. Diesel crankshafts and rotating assemblies – like their cousins in the gas engine world – turn a linear motion from combustion into a rotating motion that can move a vehicle, supply power through a generator, pump oil
Takin
Back in the old days, the late ’90s, when the economy was strong and incomes were high, people had a lot more money to put toward their favorite hobby, which for many was a souped up car that could be driven on the street but maybe also a little on the track as well. Today,
PERA to Host ‘Engine Blocks’ Webinar November 14
Reed has been in the casting repair business for 40 years. His experience began as a lead welder fusion welding diesel cylinder heads with Northwest Motor Welding. In 1973 started his first company where he began developing new metal stitching technologies and welding methods to expand upon his prior cast iron welding experience. Reed currently
National Performance Warehouse Acquires Sacramento-Based Motor Warehouse
National Performance Warehouse Companieshas announced the addition of its ninth location as a result of its acquisition of Motor Warehouse in Sacramento, Calif. This is NPW’s second acquisition in 30 days. Late last month, the company announced that it had purchased Karbelt Warehouse in Ajax, Ontario. Larry Pacey, company president and CEO, had these
Common Rail Injection History: Less Conspiracy, More Efficiency
It seems as though when customers are at the shop, the question always arises as to what common-rail really means. Then after I explain the technology to them, the reply that I get is, “Why did they have to change everything and start using computers?” If you find yourself in a similar boat and have
Diesel Motorsports: Pulling in Profits or Just Blowing Smoke?
Let’s take a look at the diesel market’s history. A dozen years ago, when the first organized event was held for diesel pickups in Muncie, IN, there were a couple of hundred trucks. And most of were lucky to hit 500 to 600 horsepower. Fast-forward to today and you will find close to 40 diesel-only
Smoothing Out The Stress
We’ve all heard (and probably used) the term “harmonic balancer.” I always get a chuckle when I hear this term used so freely by educated gear heads. Because you see, there really is no such animal as a harmonic balancer on the internal combustion engine. The correct term is “harmonic damper.” The damper is often
Maxiforce Announces New Line of Engine Parts
Maxiforce says it is the only U.S. brand offering Yanmar aftermarket engine parts, reinforcing the company’s commitment and leadership in the small diesel engine market. Maxiforce’s Yanmar range currently covers engine models 3TNE84 and 4TNE84D/T found in both Yanmar and John Deere (3015D, 4020D/T) OEM applications. “We are very excited to launch this new
Valve Seat Selection, Finishing & Materials
Over time, erosion and corrosion can eat away at the metal resulting in compression leaks, elevated valve temperatures and sometimes valve failure. If a valve seat insert doesn’t have the correct amount of interference fit in the cylinder head, it’s possible the seat may loosen up and fall out damaging the valve, head and piston.
Competing for Diesel Dollars with OEM?Dealers
About 13 years ago we – like many members of this industry – our business was struggling because our focus was only on machine work – our sales basically imploded and we needed to change. In our internal discussions, we put this dramatic change to two things: First, efficient engine design (including things like electronic
DHPS Expands
The company said this cost effective remanufacturing process is proving to be very important in helping commercial, military and governmental organizations meet their goals to “Reuse and Recycle.” In addition to increases in production line machinery and personnel, DHPS President Paul Blizzard has announced the addition of Ray Falkenrath as vice president of business development.
Common Failure Modes
For years, B&G Machine had been a diesel machine shop serving Seattle and the upper Northwest part of the U.S. To address certain market conditions in the mid- to late-’90s, we began building diesel engines. In doing so, we tried to identify the engines that would best serve a captive market – markets that would
The Business Case For Buying a CNC Machine
Like a good chef, a good machinist does a lot by feel and experience. These things can’t be learned in a few hours or even days – it takes years. When it comes to CNC machines, sometimes the sum equals more than its parts – but many times the parts generate more than its sum.
High Performance Diesel Market Includes?Growing Number of Parts
In many cases, the diesel engine is taking over the hot rod world. Instead of a small block or big block Chevy in the classic cruiser, people are looking at the Duramax diesel. The same goes for the Ford engines being replaced by the Powerstroke and the Dodge being substituted with the Cummins. The desire
Cultivating Diesel Success Using Unconventional Approaches
While most of Osborne’s customers never even come through the Liverpool, NY shop’s door, their continued patronage has pushed Syracuse Crank to record sales figures over the past few years, he says. “We were at 31 percent growth last year over the year before, and the year before last we were 26 percent higher. Our
2011 Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group Summit Shaping Up
Speakers and topics on the agenda are: • “Trucking Trends to 2020” with Deborah Lockridge, Editor of Heavy Duty Trucking and Heavy Duty Aftermarket Journal; • “Hidden Problem That Cause Lost Earnings in Your Business” with Tony Blazak of Hot Flash; • “Classification Clarification to Save You Money on Workers Compensation Premiums” with Gerry
Can Diesel Performance Help Boost Your Business?
Most people associate diesel engines with truck and tractor pulling events, not traditional motorsports. There are no diesel-powered NASCAR races or Indy cars. But diesels are making inroads in other types of racing. Diesel-powered race cars and trucks are setting land speed records at Bonneville, winning endurance races at LeMans, and running over 200 mph
Heavy-Duty Diesel: Big Opportunity, Big Challenges
One of the most sought-after status symbols in America is a pickup truck with a Cummins, Duramax or Powerstroke engine. The expectation continues that diesel automotive engines will soon find their way in larger numbers to our shores. A rebounding economy should help get trucks moving again and recapture some lost maintenance dollars. First, what