Engine Part Coatings: Is Beauty Only Skin Deep?
Outside of the engine building community, people think of coatings and think of something dipped in chocolate and rolled in candy. For us it’s a little different, especially with engine coatings – even though it may be candy to your engine parts business. So let’s just clear this up right now: there is no caramel,
Cummins B Series Engine Rebuilds
The Cummins B Series engine was developed by Cummins for use in a variety of industrial applications such as aircraft tugs, wood chippers, drill rigs, material handling equipment, etc. The B Series engine was developed as an American alternative to Perkins, Deutz and other industrial engines in the 70-150 HP range. Unlike those industrial engines
Selecting Cranks, Rods and Bearings For Your Next Build
Racing engines are made for one thing – speed. But speed is a wide target. It is in the sum of parts that are bolted together to make up the package that speed is delivered to your customer. Engine builders know that one of the biggest areas where races are won and lost is in
Give Yourself A Lift
I thought it was time to supply a new photo for these articles. Yes, I have become a little older and maybe a little wiser but you can make your own decision about that. According to my wife I’m just older. So anyway the updated photo was way past due. This month I am going
Herman Trend Alert: 2009 Workforce/Workplace Forecast
Each year at this time, The Herman Group issues its annual forecast.This year, once more, we offer you our full forecast for the comingyear: 1. Certain Skill Sets Continue to be in Short Supply. In spite of the global economic slowdown and massive layoffs, certainskill sets are in short supply. All but the most short-sightedemployers
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
10 Benefits Valued Most by Employees
Asyou work harder, smarter and faster to overcome the effects of theeconomic downturn, you need all hands on deck. Everyone at your shopneeds to be working together toward a common goal — providing thehighest quality repairs and top-notch customer service so that yourshop traffic continues to increase and profits follow along anupward path. Thisunified front
Oil Pumps
It’s 6,000 rpm – do you know what your oil pressure is? That’s a question every engine builder should know the answer to if they’re building an engine that’s going to survive. Maintaining adequate oil pressure and volume is absolutely essential for engine durability. The problem is the output of many stock oil pumps, particularly
Economic Downturn Fuels Theft in Aftermarket
Unfortunately, bad economic times often translate into an increase in theft, robbery and fraud. When dishonest and desperate people need money, your customers’ vehicles are attractive targets. Thieves cruise automotive business lots looking for vehicle with aftermarket stereo systems, wheels and other add-ons that can be removed quickly and sold on the street for a
The View From 37,000 Feet
I had just settled into my seat in what I thought was the “back” ofthe plane on my way to my second industry event in less than twomonths. They were boarding by groups from the back of the plane forwardand my group was called early, so I thought being in the back was apretty safe
10 Ideas to Improve Employee Retention
In research we’ve conducted on this subject, wefound that roughly one-third of shop owners are looking to hire a“qualified” technician. Once you find that coveted technician, you wantto have the right features in your shop to make him or her say, “Yes, Iwant to come work for you.” Now the new hire is an employee,
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
Congressman Introduces 20 Percent Remanufacturing Tax Credit Bill
On March 31st Congressman Phil English (R-PA) introduced the Remanufacturing Tax Credit bill (HR 5659) with 5 co-sponsors: · Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) · Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) · Rep. Pete Sessions (T-TX) · Rep. James Walsh (R-NY) · Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) encourages you and your employees to
Buick 3800 VIN K Rear Seal Holder
The rear seal holder for the 1995 and up Buick 3800 VIN K also functions as the cover for the coolant passages and oil galleries on the back of the block. This can cause problems, because the coolant passages are pretty close to the oil passages, and the original covers (c/n 24503969) tend to corrode
Oil Drain Intervals
One of the great debates in automotive service is oil drain intervals. The correct oil change interval is the one prescribed by the engine manufacturer that can be found in a vehicle owner’s manual. Oil drain interval is determined by the engine type, drive train, vehicle type and expected use. Each OEM tests its own
Off Road Racing Engine Market
It had been a long week in Las Vegas, manning the booth and getting the scoop on the performance market at the SEMA Show. I was tired and ready to catch a plane back home, but I had one last assignment before I left: Go into the desert and cover an off-road race. I woke
Horsepower – Building In and Bolting On
I consider myself blessed that for the last 35 years I’ve had the opportunity to hang around with some of the nation’s best engine builders and racers, and had the rare opportunity to pick their brains about engine building tips and tricks. Most of these concepts are pretty well known in the engine building community
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: One of the great debates in automotive service is oil drain intervals. The correct oil change interval is the one prescribed by the engine manufacturer that can be found in a vehicle owner’s manual. Oil drain interval is determined by the engine type, drive train, vehicle type and expected use. Each OEM tests
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: Because some automakers have extended the length of oil drain intervals in their new vehicles it is important to understand how to determine the correct oil change interval. Looking in a vehicle owner’s manual will provide you with the oil drain interval that is prescribed by the engine manufacturer. Oil drain interval is
Dialing in on Today’s Engine Bearing Trends
Durability is less of a concern today because the aftermarket and OEMs demand bearings that can last 150,000 miles even under severe stress from a neglectful vehicle owner. In performance applications there are a number of materials that will do the job well. Each material has its advantages in terms of resistance to corrosion, rate