Big R Show to Look at OEM-Supplier Relationships in the New Economy
PatMuldoon, product development engineering senior manager for Chrysler’sMopar Parts Division, and Patrick Carpenter, director of OEM sales andmarketing for Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. (SRC), will team up topresent a seminar at the 2009 International BIG R Show on Monday, Nov.2, in Las Vegas. According to Carpenter, “We will address how the new economy affectsOEM’s and suppliers
The Top 10 Common Pricing Mistakes Most Companies Make
Price strategy is emerging as the most important resource for companies to increase their competitive advantage. The vast majority of companies have spent years achieving gains through cost cutting, outsourcing, process re-engineering and the adoption of innovative technologies. However, the incremental benefits from these important activities are diminishing, and companies need to look at other
Take The War Out Of Warranty Claims
While it may have been an uncomfortable topic for some, I feel I succeeded with the previous column. Of course there are always those who dispute the need for personal responsibility. Since we live in a world full of handouts and government programs, why be responsible for yourself? I have a good friend who describes
Where Will Your Next Generation Of Customers Be Coming From?
In the tough economy we are facing today, many of us are concerned with generating sufficient business to keep the doors open, often at the expense of anything else. Are you so busy worrying about today that you’re not thinking about the future? Let me try to give you an idea about having the best
SSSSSnake Bit!
In 1974, America watched 93 cars get destroyed in a 34-minute car chase. “Gone In 60 Seconds,” an independent film written, produced and directed by and starring Toby Halicki was an otherwise forgettable ’70s movie. The plot revolved around Mandrian Pace (Halicki) and his car thief cronies and 48 cars that they needed to steal
Performance Carburetors
Carburetors persist because they are relatively simple and inexpensive compared to electronic fuel injection (EFI). Most racers and hot rodders are familiar with carburetors and know something about how to install, tune and adjust a carburetor. They may not always do it right, but all they usually need is a screwdriver and a wrench. They
TIG Welding Aluminum Heads
To survive in the current economic climate, you must look for opportunities to become more profitable and still maintain control of your profits. You must always look for ways to keep more of what you do “in-house” and keep as much of the revenue you generate in the business. Whenever you can control what goes
Shop Management: What is a Shop Foreman?
A few years ago, it seemed that nearly every shop had a foreman.However, over the years I’ve noticed that the foreman position has beendissolved. Little by little, shops have gotten away from having aforeman and simply have a manager with direct control over thetechnicians. Why? Is it to “downsize” and save the costs associatedwith this
Five Ways To Break The Nose of a Crankshaft
Scat Crankshafts has determined that 99 percent of the time it is the parts that are being used in conjunction with the crank and the additional machining done to the parts that are being used with the crank that are mostly responsible for crank breakage, NOT the crank. 1. IMPROPER MACHINED CRANK GEARS • Champher
Herman Trend Alert: Small Businesses Will Likely Lead the Recovery
Previous Herman Trend Alerts have stated that most job creation occursin small- and medium-size businesses. While we have witnessed recentwidespread job losses, small business’ historic net job creation willmake it a key player in our economic recovery. Not surprisingly, manypeople who have not been able to find employment have chosen to go intobusiness for themselves.
EngINtel: Recycled Coolant
There isn’t one of us who has not been affected or knows someone who has been affected by the economic crisis, downturn, recession or whatever catch phrase is being used this week in an effort to try and keep us from focusing on one reality that we all are aware of – the cupboards are
EFI Introduction 101
EFI has become the tool that has unlocked the next level of engine performance. Nowhere is it more evident than in drag racing, where EFI has taken over where the rules permit. Take Joe Dunn’s Pat Musi-powered ’68 Camaro that just rocked the competition with a 6.38 @ 218 mph pass. Its 755 cid big-block
Ten ‘Must-have’ Features of a Shop Website
Research conducted among our readership indicates that only about half of you have a shop website. For those of you who haven’t unleashed the power of the Internet as ashop tool, what are you waiting for? You already know that it’s aneasy, fast way to find the information and answers you need to help youdo
Installing Alignment Pins in VW W8 Intake Manifolds
Engine damage from intake manifold alignment pin entering engine cylinder. The upper and lower intake manifolds, and gasket are aligned using two steel dowel pins -A- in positions shown. If care is not taken to ensure these pins are in place when removing and installing the upper intake manifold, the alignment pin(s) may fall (unnoticed)
Coolant Leak Leads to Unnecessary Pump Replacement
Affected Vehicles/Engines: 1993-2003 Dodge trucks and Jeeps, 3.9L V6, 5.2L & 5.9L V8. Condition: Acoolant leak from a source above the water pump or from an improperlyinstalled bypass tube on the water pump itself will cause coolant topool on top of the timing cover. This coolant then rolls across thefront of the pump and behind
Paul ‘Scooter’ Brothers Elected SEMA Chairman-Elect
Paul ‘Scooter’ Brothers of COMP Performance Group will serve as chairman-elect of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) beginning Aug. 1. Members of the 46-year old association voted Brothers to fill the position that was held for the past two years by Rick Rollins of Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting. Rollins begins his role as of chairman on
CFM Rules
CFM and Carburetors: Carburetors are rated by CFM (cubicfeet per minute) capacity. 4V carburetors are rated at 1.5 inches (Hg)of pressure drop (manifold vacuum) and 2V carburetors at 3 inches (Hg).Rule: For maximum performance, select a carburetor that is rated higherthan the engine CFM requirement. Use 110% to 130% higher onsingle-plane manifolds. Example: If the
Big R Show Features Training Workshops from RIT
The Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Center for Remanufacturing, Resource Recovery will be presenting four training workshops during the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s (APRA) International Big R Show in Las Vegas on October 31 – November 2, 2009. Automotive parts remanufacturing is becoming more competitive every year. Progressive remanufactures are always looking for new ways
EPA Confirms Aftermarket Right to Service Heavy Duty Vehicles
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) recently announced that it had received confirmation from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that nothing in EPA’s rule requiring On-Board-Diagnostics (OBD) systems for heavy duty applications was intended to prevent aftermarket facilities from servicing heavy duty vehicles and engines. APRA had questioned EPA about certain language in
Jasper Unveils New Corporate Website
Jasper Engines & Transmissions has unveiled its new and improved corporate Web site, www.jasperengines.com. The site features a fresh new look and feel with cutting-edgetechnology. Newly-designed flash content and streaming video add depthand entertainment to provide the user with information in order to makean informative decision about Jasper products. Newly released corporatevideos are available for