Supreme Court Decides Not To Consider Industry Group’s Challenge Regarding EPA’s E15 Waivers
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers says the Supreme Court’s decision leaves consumers at risk. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) expressed disappointment after learning that the Supreme Court has decided not to consider the association’s challenge of EPA’s E15 waivers. “The Supreme Court’s decision denies the petitioners their day in court and will have negative
World’s Smallest V8 Engine
Gary Conley’s 30-year quest to manufacture a true production V8 engine in quarter-scale almost went up in smoke twice, once in 2001 when a foundry fire claimed all his critical molds, and later when oil smoke proved a stubborn problem during run-offs of the engine. Conley overcame the first setback with years of sheer determination.
Restoration Engine Market Update
The resto market can be a good source of extra business or a solid specialization option You might joke that the restoration engine marketplace is a “dependable” business niche. Trying to get a handle on its size, shape and character depends on with whom you talk and what they consider a vintage car to be.
Petition Denied For EPA?Case Regarding Use of E15 Ethanol Blended Fuel
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) recently issued a response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, for its decision to deny petitions to rehear a case on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to allow gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol – called "E15" – to be sold into the
Automotive-Powered Inboard Hydroplanes
They’re fast, have power aplenty, can turn on a dime, and throw a huge column of water behind them. They’re called Inboard Hydroplanes and are one of the most exciting motorsports shows on water with their automotive powerplants. The Inboard Hydroplane The looks of these boats spell speed with fighter aircraft aerodynamics on both the
SEMA Says Court’s Ethanol Decision Jeopardizes Historic Vehicles, Specialty Parts
According to a report from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA),the court found that the groups bringing the lawsuit, which included trade associations representing manufacturers of cars, boats and power equipment, along with the petroleum and food industries, lacked standingto bring the lawsuit. SEMA says it opposes E15 based on scientific evidence that it
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: September 2011
Editors note: The first two Shop Solutions are responses to Larry Carley’s article “Cleaning Heads and Blocks” in the July 2011 issue of Engine Builder. Cleaning Vintage Mercedes Parts I enjoyed the July 2011 article “Cleaning Heads and Blocks” and wish to include a tech tip about the use of caustic cleaning on vintage Mercedes
House Blocks Sale of E15
The amendment to H.R. 1, the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act 201, was introduced by Oklahoma first district Congressman John Sullivan and was passed by a House vote of 286 to 135. Sullivan said the amendment prevents consumer confusion at the pump and protects the engines of vehicles and outdoor power equipment. “My amendment ensures
Not every shop is closing and, in fact, there are even new, state-of-the-art shops opening, as evidenced by GJM’s grand opening last month. Earlier this year, Gregg Jacobson and Mark Garrett launched a new machine shop in Southern California about 40 minutes outside of L.A., in the San Fernando Valley. Both Jacobson and Garrett saw
Today’s Niche Market Engine Opportunities
As we reported in our 2009 Machine Shop Market Profile, the total number of engines built is down, however, savvy engine builders know that finding the right niche markets can make the difference between success and failure of their business. With OEMs making engines that last well into the 200,000-mile range it’s no wonder rebuilders
Performance Marine – Is It the Last Engine Frontier?
It is said to be one of the last great open frontiers. Many experts say that it’s just about the last place on Earth where there are no rules to confine speed or size. It’s a place that has lured men with adventure and danger for centuries and now may be calling you, the engine
Big R Show to Look at OEM-Supplier Relationships in the New Economy
PatMuldoon, product development engineering senior manager for Chrysler’sMopar Parts Division, and Patrick Carpenter, director of OEM sales andmarketing for Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. (SRC), will team up topresent a seminar at the 2009 International BIG R Show on Monday, Nov.2, in Las Vegas. According to Carpenter, “We will address how the new economy affectsOEM’s and suppliers
Valve Seats & Machining Guide
Engine cooling doesn’t only happen at at the radiator. The valves (particularly the exhaust valves) take a lot of heat from the combustion chamber and the valve seats have the responsibility of helping to cool them off. The seats draw heat away from the valves and conduct it into the cylinder head, providing most of
Building a Hemi 528 Stroker Engine
The Hemi has made a comeback in recent years in various Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, most notably in the Charger and Challenger. But for hardcore Hemi fans, the real deal goes back to the first-generation 331/354/392 mills that culminated in the “Elephant Motor,” the 426 Street Hemi of the Sixties and Seventies. Even though the
Balance of Power (and Profit)
One of the keys to a smooth running, long lasting engine is proper balance of the reciprocating and rotating parts. When a crankshaft is out of balance, the uneven distribution of weight can generate centripetal forces that shake the engine with increasing intensity as engine rpm goes up. Centripetal force (which many people mistakenly call
Shop Solutions: April 2008
Charging For Expert Advice Bench racers wasting your time? Our shop labor rate is $80 per hour. I sell my advice for 1/2 price! When a guy wants me to engineer a motor by selecting parts combinations and machining specs to achieve a specific level of performance, I charge him for my time. I explain
Coretalk: Performance Marine Industry Expo To Launch In Las Vegas
The theme of the show is “Experience the Power, the Passion and the Performance.” Consumers will be able to see boats in action at Lake Mead, performance test new boats and test boats they purchased at the show. Performance Marine Industry Expo is the result of ConvExx, producer of the internationally acclaimed SEMA show, teaming
Marine Motors: Challenges & Opportunities
On the popular British automotive television program “Top Gear,” the hosts were interested in discovering how hard it could possibly be to build a vehicle that was capable of both being driven on the road and sailed in water. Various types of such vehicles have been dreamed about, designed and even occasionally produced over the
Marine Engine Building, Is It For You?
Engine builders who do passenger car and light truck engines, diesel engines and performance engines, are often looking for new market niches where they can expand their business and add new customers. For some, marine engine building may seem like a tempting niche. The marine engine market is relatively healthy, though highly competitive. Some rebuilders
Marine Engines: Setting a Course for Profits
There are hundreds of thousands of motorboats cruising the waterways and coasts of America. It’s easy to think the market for rebuilding engines for all those crafts might be a niche ripe for the picking. Some rebuilders estimate the size of the marine engine market to be fairly small, perhaps less than 130,000 engines per