Protecting Your Shop’s Reputation: Be Wary Of Threats To Your Brand Name
Unfortunately, protecting your brand has become more of a challenge in the Internet age. Complaints that were once handled in person and in private are often shared online, potentially alienating new customers and making it difficult for shop owners to resolve issues. Even worse, because of the anonymous nature of the Internet, some shop owners
Cooling System Confusion Can Lead to Contentious Comebacks
They may or may not have had some type of formalized education – yet, they may be well versed and very savvy but have not had the infield experience as of yet. They are not necessarily young, just new to the world of engines. For them (and even for the veterans), let me give you
What
That’s why you have to choose the gaskets you install very carefully. Gaskets have to fit correctly and have the durability to maintain a long lasting seal. Applications that are unusually demanding often require specially engineered gaskets that can handle higher pressures and temperatures without failing. Advancements are constantly being made in gasket materials and
Do You Have What it Takes to be the Performance Engine Builder of the Year?
Performance engine builders are a dedicated bunch. All they care about is winning – and sometimes they employ “creative” methods to win races. With that in mind, Engine builders of all sizes and types are eligible – and encouraged – to enter the Performance Engine Builder of the Year contest. “We are excited to be
GM 8.1L Ring References
Type the word "ring" in the Google search engine and get beyond all thestuff that is being sold and you will be amazed at how many occurrencesthere are. It is mind boggling. There is even a site that monitors andarchives data relevant to planetary rings. You can’t talk about rings and not mention the Olympic
New Aftermarket Automotive Belts and Hoses Last Longer
There was a time when rubber belts and hoses were maintenance itemsthat had to be replaced every five or six years, depending on theircondition. The original equipment belts and hoses on today’s late-model vehiclesare mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a syntheticrubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant thanNeoprene. This means
Performance Icon Carroll Shelby Dies at 89
In the 1960s, Shelby raised the profile of American racing machines on the international sports-car circuit by packing powerful Ford V-8 engines into lightweight British roadsters, and by developing racing cars for Ford. His Shelby Cobras proved worthy competitors to the likes of Ferrari, Maserati and Jaguar and became prized collector’s items – today they
Audible Spark Knock Complaints on 1998-’02 GM Engines
Models affected: 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird with 5.7L Engine (VIN G – RPO LS1) 1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1999-2002 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL 2002 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT with 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L Engine (VINs V, T, Z, N, U – RPOS LR4, LM7, L59, L09, L04)
Cleaning Engine Parts: Can You? Should You?
Here’s the kicker – those shops who feel that proper cleaning is too difficult, too time consuming or too expensive are actually leaving money on table when it comes to their engine parts. “At one point in my career, cleaning seemed like it was really difficult,” says Dave Arce of Arce Enterprises, El Cajon, CA.
Grassroots Ohio Drag-Racing Duo Wins $50,000 Champion Racing Sponsorship
Grassroots drag racers Corey and Kyle Michalek of Ohio-based Michalek Brothers Racing are the winners of the $50,000 grand prize racing sponsorship in the Champion brand’s 2012 “Search for a Champion” video contest from Federal-Mogul Corporation (NASDAQ: FDML). The Michalek Brothers team, based in Columbus and Canton, OH, beat out four other racers in the
AERA President John Goodman Announces Retirement
After 9years at the helm, Engine Builders Association (AERA) President John Goodmanhas announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2012. “John became president of AERA in October of2003 rejoining an industry that he had briefly left to finish his Ph.D. inEngineering Management,” explained Jim Rickoff, associate editor of EngineProfessional and AERA’s marketing consultant. “At AERA, John
With Today’s Customer
Although you’ll find many definitions, I believe we can all agree that in the mind of your customers, value means getting the most bang for their buck. In the auto service business, there are a number of ways we can create value for our customers in both marketing and sales. Here are some recommendations you
Magnum Cautions Gasket Installers About Compression Set
Of particular concern to engine builders and installers is that the appearance of good quality and poor quality molded gaskets can be nearly identical, yet they will have vastly different levels of sealing ability. The invisible difference between premium quality gaskets and those of lesser quality is the compression set of the synthetic rubber. Compression
In Chrysler
The trouble with timing goes on and on. However when it comes to the right timing on engines, especially single and dual overhead camshaft engines, it is absolutely critical to be correct. There are very few OHC engines that are not interference, either, so you are very motivated to making certain that camshaft timing is
King Engine Bearings Technical Seminar Video Now Available
Ron Sledge, King’s performance and technical manager, presented "Race Engine Bearing Lubrication, Clearances & Tolerances" at both the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show (PRI) and International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) events. The hour long presentation is now available to view, free-of-charge at www.kingbearings.com/tech_materials.php. Sledge shared his knowledge of engine bearings and race engine
Late Model Performance Cylinder Heads
As the economy continues to come out of its slump, cylinder head manufacturers are seeing a growing demand for new cylinder heads that can deliver race-winning performance. Whether the heads are upgraded aftermarket heads for traditional small block/big block Chevy and Ford applications, or hot heads for the latest generation of Chevy LS and
How To Deliver World-Beating Customer Service
Shop owners know that the key to attracting and retaining loyal customers lies in delivering top-notch customer service, but how is that defined in everyday interactions? What does it take to teach and instill a “customer service” attitude throughout your business? In this economy you have to be much more effective to keep customer loyalty
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: February 2012
The Perfect Pilot With the increasingly smaller valve stem diameters it is getting harder than ever to get an air-floated, self-centering, single point, multi-angle pilot aligned with the guide. Here is a pretty simple way of getting you almost dead-on every time and without bending or breaking your $80 to $100 solid carbide pilot.
Recent Advancements in Racing Oils
The racing oil community has been very busy this past year. This is much more satisfying to an old “oilhead” who has seen years where there were no new racing oil developments. Racers and engine builders traditionally focus more on improvements in hard parts, because that’s what they understand best. However, recent successes in racing
Engine Options Abound In The Street Rod Market
The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) provides the best definition of what street rods are all about. “By definition a street rod is an automobile of 1948 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. In