Tech Notes
Engine Builders: AERA members have reported an oil cooler leak on 2001-2004 GM 6.6L VIN 1 and 2 diesel engines. This engine is the Duramax™ used in many pickup models as well as some Topkick series vehicles. Minor imperfections in the engine block’s machine surface at the oil cooler interface may allow engine oil seepage
Shop Financials: Automotive Technology Isn’t All Under The Hood
Like our cars, many of us take our computer systems and networks for granted. Once they are installed and working, we tend to forget about scheduled maintenance and security. Since most of the services that our companies require are on the Internet, we are forced to get access to stay current with technology. When on
PERAs Core Corner: Ford Balance Shaft Information For Gearheads
This month’s column is going to be information about balance shaft gears and changes that have occurred in some Ford engines. But I thought before we got to that I would give a little history on balance shafts and their purpose. The basic concept behind balance shafts has been recognized for nearly a century. Contrary
All About The Alloys – Valve Seat Selection For High Performance Applications
We can’t make any sweeping generalizations about what kind of seats work best in a performance engine application because “performance” covers a lot of territory, everything from hot street engines with stainless steel valves to top fuel drag racing and NASCAR engines with titanium valves. Seat requirements vary depending on the application, what kind of
Shop Management Software
Reality TV puts ordinary people into difficult, often dangerous situations with the sole purpose of providing entertainment to millions of people. Except for the “entertainment” and “millions of people” part of the equation, that also sounds like just another business day. How often do you as a machine shop owner or engine rebuilder feel that
Connecting Rod Reconditioning: More to it than you might think
The connecting rod plays a vital role in the engine. But a connecting rod is under tremendous stress, with the weight of the piston sitting on top, changing direction thousands of times per minute. This continuous stopping and changing of direction combined with the weight of the piston and speed of the engine hammer on
Final Wrap: The AERA International Expo 2005 and PERA Spring Marketing and Tech Meetings
News item: Steve Wynn, the brash Las Vegas casino developer who created the Mirage, Treasure Island and the Bellagio, opened his newest resort in Las Vegas on April 28th. The first new casino resort to open in Las Vegas in five years, the Wynn Las Vegas is apparently a beautiful property that’s different than any
Coretalk: NAPA Awards Crank Biz To Hi-Tech’s New Venture
The Hi-Tech Blueprint series crankshaft is restored to the original factory blueprint specifications. Blueprint Series crankshafts are delivered directly to NAPA stores in the U.S. on an overnight basis, including a program for Alaska and Hawaii. The company offers application coverage for more than 1,000 part numbers for auto, truck and marine. “NAPA chose this
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a revised timing cover for 2004-2005 Mack E-TechTM 12.0L diesel engines. This revision was made to strengthen the power steering pump mounting flange to help reduce breakage and cracking on certain applications. To provide strength, additional metal was added to the power steering pump
Shop Line
Have you heard of any solutions for coolant loss and an oil leak on a 1.6L Honda Civic? The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a cylinder head gasket leak on 1988-’95 1.6L Honda Civic engines. This information does not apply to the VTEC engines. You may have received complaints that oil is
Machine Maintenance: When Spring Is In The Air, Cleaning Is In The Shop
It’s that time of year again. The racing season is underway. Spring is here and hopefully your shop is getting busier. Before it gets too hectic, it’s time to do some spring cleaning in your shop. The first stop is the first place your customers will see – the front counter. Get rid of any
Washington Way, President’s Agenda Daunting, But Is It Workable?
No matter what your political persuasion, no one can accuse President Bush of backing off or slowing down now that he has been re-elected. The debris from the inaugural parade and the many inaugural balls had barely been swept away before the administration began pushing its second term agenda. Many of these programs, such as
Crankshafts:Stock and Performance
The crankshaft is the working arm of the engine. All the force generated by combustion and the downward motion of the pistons is focused on the crank throws. The leverage effect of the force exerted on the crank journals twists the shaft and converts the up-and-down reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion of
Secret to Success is No Secret, Says Incoming AERA Chairman
John DeBates doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. "I’m just a guy with a machine shop," he suggests. "I’m no superhero." And yet, when John DeBates, incoming chairman of the Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) talks, people hang on every word. Perhaps it’s because he’s just a naturally funny, engaging and friendly personality. Perhaps
Shop Line
We’ve had complaints of recurring oil leaks on some Navistar 7.3L diesel engines. Can you offer any solutions? There have been reports of engine oil leaks on 1994-2003 Navistar 7.3L diesel engines. These leaks most often occur shortly after cylinder head service has been completed. To reduce the likelihood of reccurring leaks, a new end
PERA’s Core Corner: Learn To Read The Bumps On GM Gen III Heads
Back a couple of hundred years ago, some brilliant thinkers believed that the bumps on your head could be used to diagnose your health or predict personality traits. Using the psuedo-science “Phrenology,” advocates would feel your scalp and tell you if you were a genius or a criminal (please, no amateur diagnoses based on the
The Latest in TIG Welding Techniques & Equipment
Like the swallows coming back to Capistrano, the monarch butterflies finding the same wintering site in Mexico generation after generation or the buzzards returning faithfully to Hinckley, OH, in my neck of the woods, I am back with an annual March update on TIG welding in general and welding aluminum cylinder heads and other engine
Has Hot Honing Cooled Off?
No matter how perfectly straight and round it may be when it is machined, a cylinder bore will change shape when cylinder heads are installed and when the engine reaches normal operating temperatures. During a presentation at the 2002 PRI Show, the subject of “Hot Honing” caused a tremendous stir of excitement among performance engine
Gessford Machine, 2004 Machine Shop of the Year
If you asked a roomful of people to make a list of the 20 most exciting cities in the world, you would probably find New York, London, Paris, Rome and Beijing on every list. While the exact order and final tally of cities might vary, it’s unlikely that Hastings, NE, would even be mentioned. But
Coretalk: AERA EXPO 2005 Set For Las Vegas Hilton In April
The EXPO will showcase leading edge technology with live, operating demonstrations of equipment, tools, supplies, parts and services. Exhibits will be open on Thursday, April 28, from 10:30 am-6 pm; Friday, April 29, from 10:30 am- 6:30 pm; and Saturday, April 30, from 10:30 am- 2:30 pm. EXPO will include a keynote address from NASCAR