The Evolution of Diesel Piston Designs
Traditionally, diesel engines are known for their long life, fuel economy and efficiency in getting large loads from place to place. Diesel engines are equal to gasoline engines in horsepower per cubic inch, and they have double the torque of gasoline engines and can achieve up to 40 percent better fuel economy, making them ideal
Cleaning Up In The Shop
In fact, it can be very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of what’s wrong with an engine until it’s clean. You may be able to recognize some failed parts, you can often see large cracks or obvious damage, but you’re really only assuming you know what caused a failure if you can’t see for
A View From The Summit
Though they have no moving parts, weigh virtually nothing and rarely, if ever, are seen by the motoring public, the engine bearing may be one of the most important yet least understood parts under the hood. In this spirit, we invited participants from the leading bearing manufacturers to participate in a roundtable discussion on pre-determined
Focus on Niche Markets to Gain a Competitive Edge
From SEMA eNews How are you supposed to compete with an Internet-only competitoroffering the same products online at a lower price among a sea of otherwebsites offering the same product? The quick answer: find your nicheand drive your business around it. Customers are often looking for an expert to answer the burningquestions that cannot be
Federal-Mogul Launches Next-Generation Electronic Catalog
Federal-Mogul Corporation has launched a dynamic, next-generation electronic catalog – available at www.fme-cat.com– to help aftermarket distributors, auto parts stores, professionalautomotive repair technicians and consumers find high quality parts forany of millions of passenger and commercial vehicles as well asperformance, marine, agricultural/industrial and small-engineapplications. Available 24/7, the interactive new eCatalog features a user-friendlyinterface, expanded functionality
Isuzu Crank Identification Knowledge Pays Off In Real World Situation
Back in January of 2007 I did an article about the differences ofthe 1992-2004 3.2L Isuzu components and in particular the differentcrankshafts.I also remarked that the 3.5L crankshaft is identical in appearance anddimensions and that only the stroke is what made it different. One part of that article worth discussing again is the method ofidentifying
Team MSD Takes Division 4 of
Team MSD of Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Ctr., Choctaw, OK, took first place with a time of 60 minutes and 15 seconds. The 8 teams were made up of invited auto technology classes from local high schools. Each team consists of five students and the instructor/coach. The individual schools set standards and guidelines for
Opinions And Outlook From An Industry Veteran
The following interview with Comp Cam’s Paul "Scooter" Brothers recently appeared on CPGNation.com. We have posted an excerpt of the story below. To view the original posting, please visit http://www.cpgnation.com/forum/scooter-brothers-opinions-outlooks-industry-veteran-3245.html. With Scooter Brothers’ outstanding automotive aftermarket credentials, we thought it would be fascinating to get his take on some current topics. So wespoke with Brothers
LKQ Offers Nationwide Heavy Truck Parts Core Solution
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq:LKQX) now offers a nationwide rebuilable core solution for heavy trucks and equipment. LKQ’s Heavy Truck Division is a network of seven locations in the U.S. and Canada specializing in new, used and rebuilt heavy truck parts. “LKQ has had a nationwide auto parts network for several years,” says Lenny Damron, Senior Vice
Joe Gibbs Racing Oil Raises The Bar On Technical Support
Less than 900 lubrication professionals worldwide hold this prestigious certification, and now each Joe Gibbs Driven Oil customer will have access to a trained and certified lubrication professional. After a lifetime in the racing business, Mr. Speed has completed 9 accredited lubrication classes and passed the rigorous CLS exam. The real world knowledge garnered by
New Camshaft Microfinishing and DLC Application Services for U.S. Market
Bekaert Diamond-Like Coatings recently installed a high energy centrifugal barrel micro-polishing machine for camshaft polishing. The machine will enable Bekaert to give camshafts the ideal pre-coating treatment, to ensure optimal smoothness of the surface before applying the black DLC coatings. Additionally, Bekaert will also service customers who are not looking to apply DLC coatings, but
Team Edelbrock Wins Division 7
With a blistering time of 36 minutes and 18 seconds, Team Edelbrock – North Orange County ROP from Anaheim CA took first place at the Division 7” Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge” Championship Hosted by Edelbrock’s 5th annual ”Rev’ved up 4 Kidz” charity car show Sunday April 25th, 2010 at Vic’s Garage – Edelbrock’s
Respect Between Shops and Stores Strengthens Both
I have been lucky enough to make sales calls on hundreds of machine shops over the past 30-plus years. Some are still here today and sadly, some are not. In that time I have met a few machine shop owners who were hard working and quite successful. They put in their years, formed an exit
Bolt-on Horsepower: Choosing An Induction System
The induction system feeds the engine air and fuel. So to increase the torque and horsepower output of an engine, the induction system has to provide more air and fuel. That usually means adding an aftermarket performance intake manifold with taller, larger and/or longer runners to increase air flow into the cylinder head ports, bolting
When Does One-Thousandth Of An Inch Equal A Mile?
Now this statement has both good and bad advice in it. Good, because we all know high quality tools cost money, and bad because, as engine builders, who are you going to borrow tools from? The guy next door? Probably not. You need to have your own tools and tooling to control your quality in
Chrysler 3.3L/3.8L Labor Costing Study
First introduced as a family back in 1990, these engines have been upgraded and improved to provide good torque for the necessary applications, reasonable fuel economy and a reputation for durability and appropriate performance. Both have iron blocks and aluminum heads and since 2001 have been used nearly exclusively in Chrysler’s FWD?lineup, powering the Dodge
MAHLE Clevite Inc. Introduces Phase II of its Launchpad Electronic Catalog
MAHLE Clevite Inc. announces the second phase of its electronic catalog – Launchpad.Phase II introduces an all-new look for Launchpad and includes theaddition of search options for piston rings and filters, as well asadditional search options for light vehicle and heavy-duty applications. Launchpad is the first Web-based catalog of its kind to include anelectronic
APRA to Host MEGA Clinic
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) will be bringing four divisions together during the upcoming “MEGA Clinic” on June 3-5, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Springfield, MS. The program will contain seminars for remanufacturers and suppliers involved in HD Transmissions, Volume Transmissions, HD Brakes and Electrical. Along with cutting edge seminars, the group will
Not Those Jeeps Again! The Facts About 4.0L Cylinder Heads
Back in the April 2003 issue of Engine Builder information was provided about the proliferation that occurred on the engine blocksof 4.0L Jeeps starting in 1996 and continuing though the present.Sound familiar? Well, you may remember the reference made to Popeye andhis "Jeep" friends. The 4.0L came on the scene in 1987 and is still