Respect Between Shops and Stores Strengthens Both
I have been lucky enough to make sales calls on hundreds of machine shops over the past 30-plus years. Some are still here today and sadly, some are not. In that time I have met a few machine shop owners who were hard working and quite successful. They put in their years, formed an exit
Chrysler 3.3L/3.8L Labor Costing Study
First introduced as a family back in 1990, these engines have been upgraded and improved to provide good torque for the necessary applications, reasonable fuel economy and a reputation for durability and appropriate performance. Both have iron blocks and aluminum heads and since 2001 have been used nearly exclusively in Chrysler’s FWD?lineup, powering the Dodge
APRA to Host MEGA Clinic
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) will be bringing four divisions together during the upcoming “MEGA Clinic” on June 3-5, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Springfield, MS. The program will contain seminars for remanufacturers and suppliers involved in HD Transmissions, Volume Transmissions, HD Brakes and Electrical. Along with cutting edge seminars, the group will
MAHLE Clevite Inc. Introduces a New eLearning Course on Victor Reinz Gaskets
MAHLE Clevite Inc. recently added a new course on Victor Reinz gaskets to its eLearning™ curriculum. The new course covers the features and benefits of Victor Reinz gaskets and offers automotive and engine-rebuilding professionals the necessary tools to master sealing solutions. The course also will be available in French and Spanish in the near future.
A Chip Off The Old Block: Aftermarket Blocks Are More Versatile Than Ever
It’s the same economic principle many body shops use on their rodding customers. You can expend good time, money and effort trying to resurrect an old hulk towards the customer’s ultimate goals or you can cut to the chase by starting with an accurate reproduction. In engine building, the same holds true but with a
High Tech Cleaning Options
Yet while machining tolerances and performance expectations have changed dramatically over the past few decades, when it comes to getting parts clean, many of those high-tech shops struggle with the same technology they used 30 years ago. The simple fact is, times have changed for parts cleaning, and so have the methods. Engine builders have
The More Things Change…
One of the things we editorial-types like best is hearing from you, our readers. Obviously, we can’t talk with each one of you in person during the week, so it’s always a treat when someone comes up to me at a trade show or business convention and lets me know they appreciate receiving Engine Builder
Building a Late Model Hemi Stroker
What is the purpose of stroking a motor? The answer is simple: to obtain more cubic inches. And in today’s economic times, it’s always best to achieve “more” with less – as in less money. The key word to many stroker enthusiasts today is “budget”. However, the word “budget” has a way of being interpreted
AERA to hold Don Gross Regional Conference
AERA is doing its part to make gaining knowledge and networking opportunities easier by holding a series of regional conferences instead of a larger, national one. Along with the outlined technical programs, AERA is inviting leading manufacturers of engine building/rebuilding tools, supplies, services, parts and machinery to attend this conference. These suppliers will have table-top
HDRG Names ArvinMeritor Commercial Vehicle Remanufacturing the 2010 Heavy Duty Remanufacturer of the Year
At the 2010 Reman Summit in Las Vegas on January 18, 2010, the Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group of the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) awarded ArvinMeritor its prestigious “Mike Hill Heavy Duty Remanufacturer of the Year Award.” The award is given to a company or individual who has demonstrated innovative ways to create and grow
A Closer Look at Today
The location of the wrist pins must match the stroke of the crankshaft, the length of the connecting rods and the deck height of the block. The compression ratio needs to be right for the application, and the configuration of the piston dome and valve reliefs have to be compatible with the combustion chambers in
Balance of Power
Everyone is looking for balance in their lives – balance between work and family, between responsibility and recreation, between give and take. Too much of one at the expense of the other can lead to dire consequences. The same thing can be said about the engines you rebuild. Balance between the crankshaft and its related
Cleaning: Different Methods for Different Needs
Back in the late 1800s, the director of the U.S. Patent Office was said to remark “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” Charles Duell, U.S. Patent Commissioner in 1899 reportedly told the President of the United States that there was no more innovation and, therefore, no more need for the patent office. Except
Valve and Guide Material, Selection Update
Today’s engines are being designed with more valves per cylinder with smaller valves to reduce valve train weight and increase intake volume. Cylinder heads typically require valve guide and seat work to restore compression and oil control if you are rebuilding the heads. For the valve to seat properly and to gain the most power
Performance Rocker Arm & Shaft Systems – Time-Tested Technology Provides Proven Performance
The SB Chevy ball and stud stamped steel rocker arms were a revolutionary departure from the shaft mounted rocker arm systems of that era because they allowed it to outrev its competitors. More revs means more airflow and more power. It wasn’t until 1962 that Ford finally dumped their old Y-block 312 rocker shaft engine
TDM Sales Named as Sales Representative For Texas and Oklahoma
Tiffin Parts LLC, a business unit of Pettibone LLC, which is an affiliate of The Heico Companies, has announced that TDM Sales will be their assigned sales representative in Texas and Oklahoma for the Construction, Forestry and Engine Parts markets. Mark D. Knight, President of Tiffin Parts, stated that “After redesigning our Web site
LPG Cylinder Head Conversions
The recent move to clean up inner city exhaust emissions has resulted in renewed interest in the use of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) as a motor fuel. Tax incentives are being offered to encourage fleet operators to convert to gaseous fuels and more vehicles are being offered by the OEMs that are already converted. What
Valve Seat Selection and Machining
When rebuilding a cylinder head for a stock automotive application, a performance engine, or a heavy-duty diesel, what kind of replacement seats should you use if the original valve seats need to be replaced? Should you install new seats that are the same as the original seats, or should you use a different type of
SSSSSnake Bit!
In 1974, America watched 93 cars get destroyed in a 34-minute car chase. “Gone In 60 Seconds,” an independent film written, produced and directed by and starring Toby Halicki was an otherwise forgettable ’70s movie. The plot revolved around Mandrian Pace (Halicki) and his car thief cronies and 48 cars that they needed to steal
Performance Carburetors
Carburetors persist because they are relatively simple and inexpensive compared to electronic fuel injection (EFI). Most racers and hot rodders are familiar with carburetors and know something about how to install, tune and adjust a carburetor. They may not always do it right, but all they usually need is a screwdriver and a wrench. They