New Markets Can Ensure Survival For Your Shop
Although some automotive machine shop owners believe that – with enginelife measured in six figures – the good days are over, the shops thatcontinuously seek out new markets that parallel their talents andabilities will continue to survive. Those shops willing to invest thetime and effort to find those markets will find that the opportunitiestoday are
A Closer Look at BBC Bracket Racing Cylinder Heads
However, it proved to be just the opposite – sportsman racers loved it and it allowed local drag racing to thrive and grow. Back in its infancy, I covered weekly bracket racing in Southern California at the now defunct Irwindale and Orange County International Raceways. The action was hot and heavy with full fields of
Federal-Mogul President and CEO Extends Employment Agreement
Alapont joined Federal-Mogul in 2005 and is credited, in conjunctionwith Carl Icahn, with guiding the company to exit from difficultbankruptcy proceedings in the United States and United Kingdom. Underhis leadership, the company has implemented its strategy of sustainableglobal profitable growth, restructured its global manufacturing andengineering network to better serve its diverse customer base andcontinued to
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: February 2010
Cummins 5.9L, M251 Pump Installation Tip There is the new instruction sheet for the M251 Cummins pump (Cummins 5.9L 1989-2007), M350 & M351 Cummins pumps (Cummins 5.9L 1986-1998). The pump looks simple enough to install, however, don’t be in a hurry. If the proper procedure is not followed the gears may bind causing engine damage.
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: January 2010
Dealing With Bad Employees One of the fastest ways to lose control of your business is to let a bad employee take control of your shop and ruin the overall moral. Pay attention to your people and understand that when things change in their lives it can affect the attitude they have at work. If
Street Performance Cylinder Heads
Where I grew up in Connecticut wasn’t the hotbed of street racing like Woodward was in Detroit, but we had the Berlin Turnpike, River Road in Middletown, plus a few local small-town hotspots. It was during this period that I got my first education about the importance of cylinder heads. A local rich kid got
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
Choosing Aftermarket BBC Cylinder Heads for Street/Strip Applications
In 1958, Chevrolet released the first big block for use in its trucks and heavier passenger cars. It was called the “W” engine and it came in three engine displacements until 1965: 348 cid, 409 cid and 427 cid. After Chevy introduced its “mystery engine” to NASCAR in 1962 with a combustion chamber and canted
Ernie Silvers Selected as Candidate for the SEMA Board of Directors
The SEMA Board Select Committee has chosen Egge CEO Ernie Silvers as a candidate for the 2009 SEMA Board of Directors’ election. Silvers is part of the prestigious slate of 10 candidates for six open seats. "Put a New Face On…" is the theme of the campaign for Ernie Silvers. The central campaign piece is
Profiting From Personal Performance
Ifyou’ve been following my articles over the last year, you may bestarting to get some new ideas for finding profits in selling highperformance engines, parts and accessories. We’ve discussed various sales techniques to battle internet and catalogparts sales, or “walk-in parts,” as I like to call them. I wrote aboutstrategies and gave them creative names
Caterpillar, Navistar Announce Global Joint Venture for Commercial Trucks
As the next stepin the alliance announced in June 2008, Caterpillar Inc. and NavistarInternational have signed a definitive agreement to produceCaterpillar heavy-duty vocational trucks for sale in North America andform a 50/50 joint venture that will pursue global commercial truckopportunities outside of North America. "This joint venture leverages the complementary strengths of two greatcompanies to
Hastings Promotes Two to Director Posts
Hastings Manufacturing Co. has promoted two executives to new positionsat the nearly 100-year-old American manufacturer of piston rings. Thomas DeBlasis has been promoted to the position of director ofnational sales. DeBlasis will have responsibility for piston ring salesthroughout the United States and Canada. DeBlasis has more than 30 years in the automotive aftermarket with thelast
In Memory: Jay Steel, Winner of 2003 Machine Shop of the Year
Jay Steel, owner of Taylor Engines in Whittier, CA, and winner of the 2003 Engine Builder Machine Shop of the Year award, has died after a 13-month battle with cancer. He was 63. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Barbara.
Variable Valve Timing
With all the scientific technology computing power out there in the world today I have yet to hear an answer to the age old question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? Well the automotive industry has a similar dilemma that continues to plague its existence. Which is more desirable, large displacement and horsepower
Motorsports
After 30 years in the Sahara, this year’s route is in Argentina and Chile. Starting in Buenos Aires, the 5600 mile race will take competitors through Patagonia and the Andes mountains to the Atacama Desert, and then on to Valparaiso on the Pacific Ocean before returning to Buenos Aires. The Dakar unites more than
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: December 2008
Top 10 Machine Shop Business Tips Engine Pro recently held a series of 8 focus-group meetings in the Midwest. Each meeting consisted of 8 to 10 machine shop owners and a moderator. Three questions were asked during the meeting. “What’s working? What’s not working? What do you need most to help you ‘make it’ for
Caterpillar and Navistar to Pursue Strategic Alliance on Engine Technologies
CaterpillarInc. and Navistar International Corp. announced that they have signed aMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue global on-highway truckbusiness opportunities and cooperate on a variety of engine platforms.The two companies intend to focus on global truck opportunities,including North American severe service construction trucks, as well astechnology development for engines worldwide. "We are pleased to be
Federal-Mogul Announces Organizational Appointments
Federal-Mogul has announcedsenior leadership changes within its finance, global purchasing,corporate communications and investor relations staffs. Jeff Kaminski has been appointed senior vice president and chieffinancial officer. He will continue to serve as a corporate officer andmember of the Federal-Mogul Strategy Board (FMSB). Markus Wermers has been appointed senior vice president, globalpurchasing. He will also serve
The Shermanator 347: A 530HP Gas Stroker You Can Build
A while ago Engine Builder ran a story on the popularity and basic dos and don’ts of stroker engines ( March 2007 Engine Builder). It received such great response that we are following up with a “real world” stroker engine buildup. In this case, it is an engine combination that is so popular that it
Scratching The Niche
If you have been a reader of this magazine for any length of time, you’ll know that one thing is certain: this isn’t the same industry it was even just a few years ago. Not so long ago, a car or truck that was more than six years old would have been considered a junker,