Customer Service: Good, Bad or Ugly, It
Normally in this space, we talk about high performance and ways you can expand into the performance market in an effort to continue your company’s success. Well, I’m going to change gears just a little bit and talk about customer service. I originally intended to cover another subject, but recent experiences have led to me
What Are The Benefits Of Using API CJ-4 Motor Oil?
It has been about three years since API CJ-4 diesel engine oil was introduced. In the past when a new API category diesel engine oil was introduced, the previous category was typically discontinued. Today both API CJ-4 and the previous category API CI-4 PLUS diesel engine oils are available. However, there are many benefits to
SuperFlow Acquires Zoom Technology
In an agreement reached with ZOOM CEO Chris Hansen, SuperFlow will take over all manufacturing, sales/marketing and administrative operations for the Zoom Technology product line, effective immediately. Hansen will also relocate from ZOOM’s New Jersey facility to Des Moines, Iowa to assist in the transition, and to support ZOOM’s existing product line and customer base.
Egge Announces Del Austin as New Sales Director
Egge Machine and Speed Shop is proud to introduce Del Austin as its new Sales Director. Del has many years of automotive aftermarket industry experience at the Jobber, WD, and Manufacturer levels. He has owned and operated both Jobber stores and Machine Shops, and is a hands-on enthusiast. Del has a collection of both pre-war
Legislative Vehicle for Cash for Clunkers Remains Uncertain
Following a May 5 meeting at the White House to discuss the status of climate change legislation, House Democrats announced an agreement on a "Cash for Clunkers" bill. The agreed-upon proposal would provide vouchers to Americans for one year to encourage the purchase of about one million cars and trucks and the destruction of a
Crankshaft Balancing
The first step in understanding crankshaft balancing is to understand the purpose of the counterweights. The counterweights are designed to offset the weight of the rod and pistons. You have the weight of the crankshaft and the pistons and rods. At any point in the assembly’s rotation, the sum of all of the forces are
Executive Interview with Bill Skok, President of Elgin Industries
BillSkok is president of Elgin Industries, a leading global manufacturer oforiginal equipment and replacement engine and chassis products for theautomotive and commercial vehicle markets. Skok joined the company,founded in 1919 by his grandfather, Martin Skok Sr., as governmentsales administrator in 1985 and became vice president of OEM sales in1988. He was named president of the
Selecting Cranks, Rods and Bearings For Your Next Build
Racing engines are made for one thing – speed. But speed is a wide target. It is in the sum of parts that are bolted together to make up the package that speed is delivered to your customer. Engine builders know that one of the biggest areas where races are won and lost is in
Caterpillar, Navistar Announce Global Joint Venture for Commercial Trucks
As the next stepin the alliance announced in June 2008, Caterpillar Inc. and NavistarInternational have signed a definitive agreement to produceCaterpillar heavy-duty vocational trucks for sale in North America andform a 50/50 joint venture that will pursue global commercial truckopportunities outside of North America. "This joint venture leverages the complementary strengths of two greatcompanies to
The Truth About Valve Springs
Valve springs are one of the most critical and most overlooked components in your engine.Proper selection of the valve spring begins with identifying theapplication and selecting all of the valve train components to achievethe engine builders’ goals. Thespring is selected to complement the system and must be matched withthe entire valve train in order for
Chrysler “A” Block Lifter Bank Angles
The latest version of Chrysler’s “A” engine block features a differentlifter bore angle. This block is commonly called the “R” block. Theangle of the lifter bore is changed to help straighten out thepushrod angle. The standard lifter angle on the “A” engine is 57degrees from vertical. This points the lifter away from the center ofthe
Executive Interview with Vic Edelbrock Jr., President and CEO of the Edelbrock Corp.
From aftermarketNews.com There have been plenty of media reports detailing the struggle in the auto industry today due to the tough economic climate. We haven’t heard much, however, about how this situation is impacting niche suppliers and the performance sector. What are you seeing out there right now?
APRA Announces 21st European Symposium
At the International APRA European Symposium, remanufacturers have the opportunity to engage in vital dialogues on issues that affect their industry. By attending the seminars and the reception they can take advantage of some of the industry’s best networking opportunities to better understand the future of these markets. They will recognize opportunities to improve their
PERA Spring Technical Conference Wrap Up
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) recently held its Spring Technical Meeting at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. Approximately 56 attendees representing 11 production engine remanufacturers (PERs), and 23 manufacturers and other suppliers attended the event. Presentations on Alternative Fuels, Understanding Zinc in Engine Oils and a Comprehensive View of Synthetic
Las Vegas Hotel Discounts Negotiated for AAPEX and SEMA Show
Exhibitorsand buyers will benefit from substantially discounted hotel room rates,the lowest in six years, at nearly all Las Vegas hotels for AutomotiveAftermarket Industry Week 2009, slated for November in Las Vegas.Organizers of the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) and theSEMA Show have negotiated rates that are from 25 to 45 percent lowerthan last year. To
Crane Cams To Be Purchased By Scorpion Performance, Holds Job Fair
Scorpion Performance, Inc., a high performance valvetrain parts manufacturer, recently announced that it is in the process of buyingCrane Cams, which closed its doors in February and was scheduled for a liquidation sale in April. Crane Cams has been in business 56 years and is one of the best-known brands in the industry. Scorpion Performance
Crane Cams’ Auction Company Says Sale Not Done
LiquiTec Industries Inc., which has been engaged to liquidate the assets of Crane Cams Inc. of Daytona Beach, Fla., one of the largest manufacturers of camshafts and valve train components for the performance industry, says that the deal to sell the company to Scorpion Performance is in serious negotiations but not yet a done deal.
Small Block Chevy and Ford Performance Cylinder Heads
Over the years, the SB Chevy V8 evolved and grew in displacement from 265 to 283 to 302 to 327 to 350 to finally 400 cubic inches. Aftermarket blocks and stroker cranks have allowed even more displacement, with some “small blocks” now having as many cubic inches as a big block Chevy (427 and 454
E-Commerce: Is A Web Presence Right For Your Business Model?
E-commerce is one of those things that sounds too good to be true. To start with, you can do business from virtually any geographic location that has daily UPS or FedEx service, which means you can live just about anywhere you want. The mantra of location, location, location for a retail store just doesn’t apply.
Give Yourself A Lift
I thought it was time to supply a new photo for these articles. Yes, I have become a little older and maybe a little wiser but you can make your own decision about that. According to my wife I’m just older. So anyway the updated photo was way past due. This month I am going