Making A Big Splash In The Marine Market
The average individual that would have owned a performance car in the 1960s, and the baby boomers that did, in many cases no longer have a modern affordable toy they can tweak to their own satisfaction. Serious performance today is often available to only a few with large checking accounts or extra good credit, and
Tackling High Performance Work
Obviously, there are many questions to be answered before a shop enters or expands its activities into the high performance arena. There are moderately successful performance-oriented machine shops scattered from one end of the nation to the other. There are also a significantly smaller number of VERY successful shops. Typically, the difference between the former
Getting A “Good Seat” : The Growth In The Valve Seat Insert Market
The growth in the valve seat insert market can be traced back to the early 1970s when the switch to unleaded fuel took place. Most of the engines in use or that were in core or inventory storage had to have replacement seats inserted in the exhaust side to prevent valve seat recession that occurred when the engines were run
Forklifts
Engine rebuilders often classify themselves as an automotive (car and light truck), and/or medium duty/heavy-duty diesel or industrial rebuilder, and usually primarily stay in one market or the other. Some cross the line and do business in both markets, but most tend to stay in familiar territory where they’re comfortable. Yet rebuilding forklift engines is
Diesel Dialog: The Nature Of The Diesel Aftermarket Has Become Increasingly Competitive
In recent years, the nature of the diesel aftermarket has become increasingly competitive. Many of the bread-and-butter engines that diesel shops have focused on have become so common that the factory replacement parts and reman engines available leave little profit to be made by the machine shop trying to stay competitive. One important factor in
Reducing VOCs In The Shop
Well, here we are again, talking about how to reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in your shop. It’s surprising, in light of today’s regulatory environment, to see how many businesses still don’t even think or care about the subject…but it’s an important part of our business lives. In some states it seems that VOCs are
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electronics Market
If flexibility and the ability to quickly diversify are the marks of a successful rebuilder, then Denver, CO-based electronics rebuilding specialists, cciUPTIME, was destined for this industry. cciUPTIME remanufactures electronic control modules (ECMs) for Mercedes-Benz and other high-end import vehicles. These units include everything from on-board computers to climate control, cruise control, idle speed control,
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Clutches Market: New Rules And A Changing Field Of Players.
Anybody who’s in the clutch rebuilding business today knows that it’s an entirely different ball game, one with new rules and a changing field of players. A proliferation of new passenger car and light truck clutches in recent years, plus an influx of low-cost new clutches from offshore manufacturers, has driven the cost of new
Grinding Techniques: In Thousands Of Years, The Basics Of Grinding Haven’t Changed
Grinding is one of the oldest methods known for shaping and sharpening objects. It was first used in prehistoric times to make weapons and other tools by rubbing wood, stones, bones and eventually metal against hard, abrasive rocks. In thousands of years, the basics of grinding haven’t changed. We’re still rubbing an abrasive against metal
What Is The Recommended Surface Finish
Shop Line, Automotive Rebuilder, July 1996 Q A In the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association’s (PERA) May 1996 edition of Current Concerns, Ed Keibler of Sunnen Products Co., St. Louis, MO, says that the typical Ra finish on cast iron should be 60 to 110 Ra. On aluminum cylinder heads it is much smoother – typically
Cam Timing Chain Marks On 1976-’88
The Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) offers the following information regarding cam timing chain marks on 1976-’88 Isuzu 1.8L and 1.9L engines. Confusion may begin when reading the service manual information referencing marked plates on the cam timing chain. Apparently, some aftermarket timing chains don’t have the marked plates which indicate the correct positioning for
Valve Guide Repair Options
One thing you can almost always count on when rebuilding a cylinder head is worn valve guides. The guides experience a lot of wear because of the constant friction between the guide and stem. To make matters worse, positive valve seals on late model engines prevent the guides from receiving much lubrication. Side forces on
Lane Parts Co.: Many Rebuilders Are In A State Of Transition
It seems that many rebuilders are in a state of transition. Whether it’s due to changing ownership, technology, products or markets, almost all machine shops and engine rebuilders are facing increasing competition in an increasingly consolidated market. Lane Parts Co., Eugene, OR, Automotive Rebuilder’s 1996 Machine Shop of the Year, is no exception. This Northwest