Choosing Valvetrain Components: Lifters, Pushrods, Springs & Rockers
The type of parts you ultimately choose will depend on the application (street performance, circle track, drag, marine, etc.) and any rules that restrict the type of camshaft, lifters or other valvetrain components that are allowed. But don’t overlook your customer’s budget. Affordability often limits your choices if a customer just doesn’t have the bucks
Stock Car Engines and Sanctioning Bodies: Different Groups, Different Rules
But for engine builders, keeping up with these groups, and the many sets of rules, can be quite a task. How do you stay on top of what’s legal AND competitive? We will take a closer look at a number of groups that are off NASCAR’s beaten path and see what they have for rules.
The Importance of Training
You’re gonna get it…training, thatis. You’re going to get trained one wayor the other. When it comes to business,you can do it the hard way or you can do it the easy way. Personally, I am far too lazy to work very hard, so I’ve always soughtthe easiest way to do things. Goodtraining is simply
How Do You Reuse Cummins ISX and QSX Connecting Rods?
There are two types of ISX & QSX connecting rods; “Drilled” and “Non-Drilled”. A drilledconnecting rod has an oil passage drilled up through the shank of the rod to supply lubrication tothe connection at the piston pin. A drilled rod can be used with either two piece articulated orone piece steel pistons. There is no
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
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: April 2012
Cold Air Tool Cooling For Machining We have been using cold air cooling in our shop for cast iron machining for several years. It does several things: it keeps the tool cool without the use of wet coolant, it blows away the dry chips, and it eliminates having the mess of coolant everywhere. Also, we
F-M
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 2013. Jueckstock also will join the company’s board of directors. Federal-Mogul also announced that its board has decided to modify the company’s corporate structure to create a separate and
Pricing Your Shop’s Services Without Adversely Affecting Customer Relationships
What I decided to do with this article is break the subject of pricing down into three components: Base pricing, price modification andmeasuring results. Base Pricing At Elite, we believe that in all cases, your prices need to be competitive. By “competitive,” I’m not suggesting that you need to charge the same price as
Mazda 3.0L Engine Ticking Noise from Left Bank Cylinder Head
Installers may use the table below to select the correct repairfor the applicable engine/model. Year/Model ProceedTo: 2002-’06 MPV 3.0L RepairProcedure A 2003-’08 Mazda6 3.0L RepairProcedure B 2001-’06 Tribute 3.0L RepairProcedure A (built before Jan. 17, 2006) 2006 Tribute 3.0L RepairProcedure B (built after Jan. 17, 2006) 2008 Tribute 3.0L RepairProcedure B (engine build
MAHLE Clevite Kicks Off All-Star Sweepstakes; Prize Includes VIP?Trip
The randomly selected grand prize winner will receive a VIP trip the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race in Charlotte, NC this May. “MAHLE Clevite wanted to acknowledge the dedication and talent of the thousands of engine specialists and builders as well as automotive technicians throughout the country,” said Ted Hughes, Manager – Marketing
PERA?Announces 67th Annual Convention Preliminary Schedule
The PERA Conference Planning Committee has developed an intriguing program of business and technical meetings as well as tours of Seattle-area businesses and manufacturing locations to enhance business and networking opportunities. The Mayflower Park Hotel is ideally located steps away from Seattle’s most exciting attractions, including the famous Pike Place Market, Seattle Waterfront, and Space
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