Understanding Alternator Current Output
The amount of electronic and electrical equipment in today’s cars has increased exponentially over the past decade and we can look forward to even more in the near future. The demands for electrical power are increasing and, consequently, greater output currents are needed from the alternator. In this article, we will examine what determines the
The Nitty Gritty On Small Parts Cleaning: Many Ways To Clean Small Engine Parts
Tom Nichols, CEO and president of AutomotiveMachine & Supply, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, said availabilityis most often the key to why his shop cleans and reuses smallparts. Nichols said each day his shop cleans and reuses many smallparts, including valve locks, shims, springs, retainers, rockerarm assemblies, cam bore caps, nuts, bolts, etc. "Becausewe only
Performance Marine Engines – Meeting Customer Expectations
Life is a series of compromises. Human relations almost alwaysinvolves compromises of some sort. You want Chinese for dinner,she wants Italian; something has to give. Even if you go yourseparate ways, it’s a compromise and a decision to not dine together. Believe it or not, it’s the same with machinery. Any exercisein design is a
Building Horsepower Through Dyno Testing
Pick up a copy of any racing-oriented automotive publication andas you thumb through its pages you’ll notice a smorgasbord ofads from engine builders. Most of them will have an assortmentof horsepower figures large enough to rival the national debt. Of course, all the numbers are suspect because, in most cases,they were obtained on the advertisers’
1997 Shop Kinks
Machine shops and custom engine rebuilders are, and always havebeen, a resourceful group. Our industry was founded on the principalof bringing component parts from a condition of disrepair to onethat offers equivalent performance to that of a new part. Rebuilt engines offer cost savings and performance benefits thatcan not be found with any other products,
Valvetrains: Better Materials & Design
Pushrods would seem to be an endangered species these days, atleast as far as most new engine designs are concerned. The onlybrand new engines built in recent years with a pushrod valvetrainhave been Chrysler’s 8.0L V10 for the Viper and Dodge Ram, andGeneral Motors new "LS1" 5.7L small block V8. All therest have either been
Niche Market Opportunities
In today’s highly competitive market, it makes sense to constantlybe on the lookout for new opportunities. Information on the marketsdescribed in this article may provide some new business prospectsfor those shops not already involved with them. However, rebuildersshould constantly be prospecting for other niche markets for theirexisting products or services. There are potentially many products
Extending Hd Clutch Life: Proper Analysis Is Critical For Evaluation Of Manufacturing Process Control
Proper analysis of failed clutch componentsis critical for evaluation of manufacturing process control, productlife expectancy and warranty analysis. Rebuilt products whichare application and installer sensitive are easily blamed forfailures which may actually be the result of an installation error,poor maintenance procedures, or an improper application identification. In the evaluation of failed heavy duty clutches,the majority
Ford’s 4G Alternator: IAR Series & The New 4G
When one considers the Ford IAR series of alternators,then examines the new 4G alternator, it seems that Ford went overboardto correct all the problems with the IAR series. The IAR series was designed for rapid assemblyand disassembly with plenty of snap-on connectors and mountinghardware. With this design approach came problems, particularlywith the burnt out B-S-S
Rebuilding The Chrysler Engine Family
Much of the information used to write thisarticle was provided by Bruce Chapman, president, and the employeesof Ontario Reman, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. Ontario Reman isan authorized Chrysler engine rebuilder selling remanufacturedengines and small parts to Canadian Chrysler dealers. We thankthem! Chrysler introduced a whole new family of 60degree V6 engines beginning with the 3.3L OHV
Power Steering Pumps and Gearboxes
In today’s increasingly competitive marketplacethe quest for additional profits is of paramount importance notonly for continued growth and success, but for the survival ofthe company itself. This is particularly true for undercarriagespecialists such as CV axle and rack-and-pinion rebuilders. Niche market diversification can accomplisheconomic and strategic objectives that will not only improve the"profitable" cash flow
Power Investments, Inc.: Building An Empire In The Rebuilding Industry
Mike Jarvis, 53, president of Power Investments,Inc., is quietly building an empire in the rebuilding industry.If you want proof, just take a look at his frequent flyer miles(he’s averaged about 2,500 business miles per week over the pastfour years), and the fact that company growth has averaged between12-18% per year, mostly through acquisitions, since 1983.
Machine Shop Market Profile Part II
Based on information provided in part one ofour annual Machine Shop Market Profile which appeared in lastmonthís issue, the machine shop market produced between1.31 million and 1.7 million rebuilt engines in 1996. These figuresrepresent a decline of about 7% from the previous production year. Part one of our annual Machine Shop Market Review featured detailson
Ensuring Bearing Life: Crankshaft Bearings Are Always Replaced When Rebuilding An Engine
Crankshaft bearings are always replaced when rebuilding an engine because they’re a wear component. Heat, pressure, chemical attack, abrasion and loss of lubrication can all contribute to deterioration of the bearings. Consequently, when an engine is rebuilt new bearings are always installed. “Reading” the old bearings can reveal a great deal about conditions that may
7CleanCsts.doc
So it’s important to remember when deciding on a specific approach to cleaning to strive for cleaning effectiveness, while at the same time, staying in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. In order for a machine shop to have a positive return on investment, cleaning systems and
Machine Shop Market Profile
As is generally already known, the machineshop/custom engine rebuilder market struggled in 1996 to keeppace with production numbers generated in 1995. Many shop ownerstold us that demand was flat for machine shop services and/orrebuilt engines during 1996. Verification of these shop owners’ commentswas generated in our annual survey of the membership of the AutomotiveEngine Rebuilders
Performance Small Block: Chevy Engines
Small block Chevy engines long ago became mainstays in both thetraditional and high performance marketplace. So many of themhave been rebuilt over the years, and so much has been writtenabout the rebuilding process, it would appear that nothing moreneed be said. But the small block engine has changed over the years and so haveconsumer preferences
Shot Blasting Equipment Maintenance: Simple Does Not Mean Maintenance-Free
The technology of hurling steel or glass shot at more than 100 mph is pretty simple. But in the world of shot blasting machines, simple does not mean maintenance-free. The essence of these machines, no matter what their design, is that clean core parts come at the price of dramatic wear-down of media, as well
Perspective On Using CBN Versus Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) Cutters
In your June Shop Line you offered Jerry Lawson’s of DCM Tech, Inc., perspective on using CBN versus poly crystalline diamond (PCD) cutters. Have any other manufacturers voiced their opinions? In PERA’s May 1996 Current Concerns publication, Andy Rottler of Rottler Manufacturing made the following observations on CBN versus PCD cutters:Rottler says that due to
Letters: Test Data For Failing Rectifiers Requested
The article by Donald Yuhas, “Dissecting CS-130 Diode Failure,” in the May, 1996 issue of Automotive Rebuilder gave electrical rebuilders insights into the ways that diodes can fail. The author concluded that high “current pulse” technology is needed for successful screening-out of diodes that will likely fail in the vehicle.While I share that conclusion, the