Installing Valve Guide Liners
The first step for installing bronze guide liners is to assemble the parts for the boring reamer. Install the bushing, then the spring, and finally the retainer. You now have a reamer kit. Insert the reamer kit in an air/electric drill. The proper drill should not exceed 1,000 rpm under load. Next, choose the appropriate
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: October 2009
Valve Spring Clarification There are many misconceptions on the visual inspection of valve spring free heights. There is a manufacturing tolerance on this dimension. The spring can change during the heat treat processes and squareness during the coiling process. Spring dampers can also influence the free length as they are installed before the spring is
Questioning a Trip to Las Vegas?
Starting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, many thousands of people working in theautomotive industry will join together in Las Vegas as participants inthe AAPEX, SEMA, NACE and CARS shows, (and Big R Show Nov. 1-2). Combined, these five shows are the largest celebration ofeverything automotive, from hard parts, accessories and paint, to toolsand equipment and anything
Take Care of Your Tooling and It
Let’s face it, when you invest in new state-of-the-art equipment, some or most of that investment is in the tooling. That tooling needs proper care – especially if you want your new machine to perform according to the manufacturer’s specs. These newer machines don’t have a clue that your tooling is dull, bent, nicked, burred,
A Winning Pair
The Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA) and the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA) will both be holding their annual expositions at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas prior to the AAPEX and SEMA Shows. Combining the two shows – APRA’s The BIG R Show and ATRA’s Powertrain Expo – into one all-encompassing exhibit
Top 10 Tips for On the Job Safety
Are you working safely? While no one starts the day off thinking “Today I’ll ignore basic safety procedures and put myself – and my employer – at risk,” letting your guard down around equipment and heavy metallic objects (such as those in any engine building or machining facility) can result in an accident. Timberland PRO,
‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits to Return to NHRA Drag Racing
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits is making a comeback to NHRA competition forthe first time since 2003, driving his Dodge Challenger Drag Pak byMopar into the heat of NHRA Stock eliminations at the Mac Tools U.S.Nationals on Labor Day weekend. His historic first run in the Drag Pakwill be on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in A/Stock Automatic
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
Snap-on No Compromise Tour Covers Midwest
Taking only some time to refuel and grab some grub, the Snap-on NO COMPROMISE TOUR™ will continue its trek across the Midwest with tour stops scheduled in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Kansas in the coming weeks. “We are heading toward year two of the NO COMPROMISE TOUR™ and we are excited to be visiting areas
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: August 2009
Gasket Surface Cleaning Caution Cleaning gasket surfaces can be a terrible thing to do! Many of today’s cylinder heads, and various parts are made of aluminum. The use of cleaning discs can damage the surface being cleaned by actually removing some of the surface being cleaned. There are also dangers of getting fibers from the
The Top 10 Common Pricing Mistakes Most Companies Make
Price strategy is emerging as the most important resource for companies to increase their competitive advantage. The vast majority of companies have spent years achieving gains through cost cutting, outsourcing, process re-engineering and the adoption of innovative technologies. However, the incremental benefits from these important activities are diminishing, and companies need to look at other
TIG Welding Aluminum Heads
To survive in the current economic climate, you must look for opportunities to become more profitable and still maintain control of your profits. You must always look for ways to keep more of what you do “in-house” and keep as much of the revenue you generate in the business. Whenever you can control what goes
SEMA Show Education Days Designed to Help You Find Customers
According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) customers are out there just waiting for the right time to buy. Make now that time for your business. The Customer Service & Sales Solution seminar track at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas is specifically designed to help maximize every opportunity — and create some
Ten ‘Must-have’ Features of a Shop Website
Research conducted among our readership indicates that only about half of you have a shop website. For those of you who haven’t unleashed the power of the Internet as ashop tool, what are you waiting for? You already know that it’s aneasy, fast way to find the information and answers you need to help youdo
EPA Confirms Aftermarket Right to Service Heavy Duty Vehicles
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) recently announced that it had received confirmation from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that nothing in EPA’s rule requiring On-Board-Diagnostics (OBD) systems for heavy duty applications was intended to prevent aftermarket facilities from servicing heavy duty vehicles and engines. APRA had questioned EPA about certain language in
ZF and ISE Corp. Partner to Supply Electric Hybrid Drive Systems and Components to the North American Market
ZFFriedrichshafen (ZF) and ISE Corp., a manufacturer of hybrid propulsionsystems and components for heavy duty vehicles, have announced plans tocollaborate on the development and supply of a complete line ofparallel-electric hybrid drive systems and components for the NorthAmerican vehicle markets. ZF and ISE have signed an agreement that outlines plans for an intendedstrategic collaboration and
Why Buying That New Machine Is The Right Thing To Do Right Now
Why am I saying to upgrade and buy now? Well, I’ll tell you why: because if your equipment is behind the times it can’t create the tolerances that today’s engines require. So why now? After all, the market is in decline, business is off, times are really tough, right? Blah, blah, blah! Yes, the market
Snap-on Becomes Sponsor of NHRA
Snap-on, the premier-tool company in the world, will become a sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the premier drag racing series in the United States. “Our customers have really enjoyed and benefitted from the great relationship we have with our Snap-on NHRA drivers so it is just natural that we get more involved
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
Lincoln Electric Launches Welding Fume Awareness Campaign
The Lincoln Electric Company has launched its “Are You Ready?”awareness campaign, designed to educate employers, as well as thegeneral welding community, about effective fume control practices. Thecampaign is also designed to help fabricators understand both recentand upcoming Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA)regulations, including the hexavalent chromium standards going intoeffect on May 31, 2010. Thecampaign