Differentiate Your Business From Your Competition and You Can Dominate Your Market
For the rest of us, competition from businesses that supply similar products and services is part of our daily business lives. The more popular the product or service, the more competition there is. Sometimes this is geographically dictated; where I live in the desert southwest, there are literally hundreds of swimming pool builders and air
Magnum Gaskets Expands Production Capability With New Florida Facility
Due to the success of its recently introduced, premium-quality aftermarket gasket line, Magnum Gaskets says it is doubling its design, manufacturing and packaging space by relocating to a new facility in Pinellas Park, Fla. For nearly 20 years, Magnum’s parent company, Modern Silicone Technologies Inc. (MSI), has been manufacturing valve cover, oil pan and manifold
Proper Oil Recycling Techniques are Good for Business, Environment
In the city, most things are in close proximity, whether it’s the grocery store, cleaners, restaurants or even a gas station or oil changefacility. Get out into the country, though, and no matter what you wantyou are going to have to drive a bit to get there. Similarly, practices are a bit different in the
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
7 Common Small Business Tax Misperceptions
The old legal saying that "ignorance of the lawis no excuse" is perhaps most often applied in tax settings and it is safeto assume that a tax auditor presenting an assessment of additional taxes,penalties and interest will not look kindly on an "I didn’t know I wasrequired to do that" claim. On the flip side,
Well there is a “rat poison” for engines that is used regularly and daily in nearly any installation shop and by DIYers. SURFACE CONDITIONING DISCS, often referred to as cookies within the shop environment, were originally designed for use in the auto body shop, I believe. Here is where the problem lies when using them
Fuel Injected Engine Camshafts
To create a vacuum signal, that stands a reasonable chance at working in an application without having to re-flash the ECM computer, a camshaft needs to be: A) Short duration, 220-222 degrees @ .050? maximum. B) Wide lobe separation/centers, 112 to 114 degrees minimum. Do not attempt to install a camshaft with a 108 lobe
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
Alapont to Retire From Federal-Mogul, Jueckstock Elected Successor
Alapont will remain with the company in a consulting role to assist with the transition and will also remain on the company’s board of directors through the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders. Rainer Jueckstock, currently senior vice president of the company’s powertrain energy business unit, has been elected CEO effective April 1. Jueckstock
Camshaft and Lash Adjuster Design Change for Ford 5.4L-3V Engine
Do not use 2005 MY parts when servicing a 2004 MY engine, or 2004 MY parts when servicing a 2005 MY engine. If parts are intermixed during a service repair, the engine may exhibit noises on affected cylinders and engine damage may result. ACTION Order and install parts for the correct model year engine. The
iATN Introduces Two New Public-Facing Websites
The Auto Repair Shop Finder, accessible from the “For Vehicle Owners” tab on the main iATN public website, features a geo-locator that can use a user’s physical location to find the nearest iATN member business, or consumers can input an address, city or zip code to easily locate a facility. “The main public site is
House Approves Washington State Bill to Exempt Restoration, Custom Shops from Written Estimate
A SEMA-supported bill S.B. 6005 to exempt restoration and custom shops from the requirement that they provide written estimates for the repair of any vehicle that qualifies for a “horseless carriage” or “collector vehicle” license plate, or is a “parts car,” “street rod” or “custom vehicle” was recently passed by the Washington State House of
Levers and Gears: Anatomy of a Dial Indicator
Mechanical dial indicators (comparators) are characterized by a sensitive contact, a measuring system that transfers and magnifies the mechanical motion, and a means of indicating the measurement. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has the responsibility of preparing standards which encompass the inspection and the means of measuring various dimensional characteristics, as well
Cylinder Head Oil Gallery Cup Plug Service for Chrysler 2.7L Engine
Note: You must determine which cup plug is leaking before performingthis procedure. If necessary, perform an engine oil leak dye test. Each cylinder head on a 2.7L engine has 6 external oil gallery cupplugs. It is not necessary to remove the original cup plug to install anew cup plug. The cup plug bore is deep
Dodge V6, V8 Spark Knock, Oil Consumption from Intake Gasket Oil Leak
SYMPTOM/CONDITION: An engine intake manifold plenum pan gasket oil leak may occur on some Dodge V6 and V8-style engines. The oil leak is internal to the engine sono external oil leakage will be present. Two symptoms of this oil leak condition may be present. Customers may complain that the vehicle experiences an engine spark knock
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.
Toyota V8 UZ Engine Timing Belt Issues
When I first started researching this article, I called and stopped by several shops that do work on Toyota vehicles. I asked if any of them had any V8 models coming in for timing belts so I could get some pictures of the process. Either a blank stare, or a question like: “What Toyota V8?”
Cummins Injector Leak Diagnosis Can Be Tricky
Certainly, there’s some common repairs needed on specific engines that are easy to do but doesn’t mean that it makes everything else easy to diagnose. Owners often think that because diesel engines are now electronic the technician should be able to hook up a scan tool and immediately see what is going on. The good
Toyota V8?UZ Engine Timing Belt Issues
I asked if any of them had any V8 models coming in for timing belts so I could get some pictures of the process. Either a blank stare, or a question like: “What Toyota V8?” was the general response. The idea that there was a Toyota V8 needing a timing belt replacement seems to be
Crate Engine Opportunities
To many engine builders, saying the words “crate engine” can leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The perception is, thanks to the wide assortment of ready-to-run packaged engines available from the OEMs, custom engine builders have difficulty competing. In an attempt to reduce the high cost of racing, many sanctioning bodies and racetracks began