Diagnosing Engine Noise Under The Hood Of A Ford F-150
This article is about diagnosing a mysterious engine noise in a 1989 Ford F-150 pickup equipped with the venerable 5.0L or 302 cubic-inch V8 engine following a rebuild. Most of us working in the automotive service trades are very familiar with Murphy’s Law and how it affects our shop’s cost of doing business. Murphy’s Law
Damage Control: Removing Problem Plugs on Ford Modular Engines
Ford recognized a plug removal problem on some of its 4.6L 3v, 5.4L 3V and 6.8L 3V engines and issued a tech bulletin — TSB 08-7-6 — to address the problems. This article supersedes TSB 08-1-9. Ford’s Modular engine, used in various Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products during the mid- to late-2000’s, has been known to give techs a hard
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: August 2013
Authors of Shop Solutions published in each issue of Engine Builder Magazine are awarded a prepaid $100 Visa gift card. Shop Solutions may also be submitted to [email protected]. A Better Way to Clean Oil Galleries I’ve always used the standard long handled nylon bristle brushes dipped in solvent to scrub the oil galleries in blocks,
Solutions to Common Cylinder Honing Problems
Cylinder bore quality plays a huge role in reducing friction and blowby for improved engine performance and durability. Better bore geometry also contributes to better sealing and more usable power. Below are some solutions to the most common honing problems. PROBLEM: Hone is not cutting • If stones are loading, you need to apply more
APRA Gets Social
Bill Gager, president of the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), announced that the association is increasing its presence on social media platforms. “We have come to realize that these are great tools we can use to connect more consistently with our members,” Gager said. “With a billionusers on Facebook and YouTube each month and
SEMA Opens Phase Two of SoCal Innovation Facility to Serve $31 Billion Auto Accessory Market
The SEMA Garage is a one-of-a-kind, 15,000-square-foot facility featuring high-tech labs, tools and equipment. The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the organization representing the $31 billion specialty automotive industry, opened phase two of its automotive innovation facility in Southern California, in conjunction with Collector Car Appreciation Day on June 12. Located at SEMA headquarters near
Employer Compliance: EEOC Addresses Six Priority Areas Of Claims Enforcement
In December of 2012, the EEOC laid out the details of its Strategic Enforcement Plan for fiscalyears 2013-’16 and identified six “national priorities” that focus enforcement efforts in the three general areas of hiring, pay and harassment. The six priority areas of claims enforcement are as follows: 1. Eliminating Barriers in Recruiting and Hiring. Last year, the EEOC
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: June 2013
Removing Stubborn Dowel Pins Do you ever have solid dowel pins that are worn or tapered, and the slap hammer slips off no matter how tight you make it? Add a dab of valve lapping compound to the dowel pin. It works wonders. Most of the time the pin slaps right out. Jeffrey Myers MAR
Longtime Goodson Tech Services Manager to Retire
Tapp, whose last day is June 28, 2013 has been with Goodson Tools & Supplies since April 1992. According to David Monyhan, Goodson Sales Manager, “Jim has been at the heart of many of our new products over the years. He has experience in running his own shop and teaching at a tech school, which
Don’t Overlook The Easy Dollars To Add To Your Bottom Line
As I began to review the profit and loss statements from last month, I was reminded of something I learned long ago. Financial data, although very useful, is just a snapshot of the past or history. I’ve seen so many shop owners over the years have the right tools for the job, and they attend
The Best-Kept Secrets to Dealing with Sales Objections
Here are what I’ve discovered to be the best-kept secrets when it comes to dealing with sales objections. 1. Accept the fact that the single greatest cause of sales objections is a poor sales presentation. If you don’t follow the eight steps of the sales cycle (1. Build rapport; 2. Fact-find; 3. Identify the need; 4. Identify the
Advantages of Using an Aluminum Flywheel
By Sam Logan Using aluminum sheds 10-15 lbs. from the rotating assembly of a conventional steel flywheel, but it is the effect the weight loss has on the moment of inertia – the measure of an object’s resistance to changes to its rotation – that contributes the real gains. The lower moment of inertia in
Parts Making With Your CNC
Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machining allows engine builders to achieve almost unbelievable levels of accuracy and consistency. The programmability of a digital computer not only automates the operation of the equipment but also provides a level of repeatability that can’t be matched by manual equipment. That’s why CNC has been the backbone of virtually all
Pursuing The Small Engine Market
Small engines are everywhere. They power lawn mowers, garden tillers, portable generators, all kinds of pumps, go-carts, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, forklifts, even refrigerated trailers on reefer trucks. Most of these engines are single-cylinder four-stroke air-cooled motors that range in power from 5 to 15 hp or more. Some have vertical crankshafts and some have horizontal
All-New FMe-cat.com eCatalog Brings Expanded Content to Desktops and Mobile Devices
Federal-Mogul has announced that its www.FMe-cat.com electronic catalog has been re-launched with an all-new interface and a variety of features implemented to make the e-cat faster, easier and more valuable for any user, including those who prefer to research parts and repair information via a smartphone or tablet computer, according to the company. Federal-Mogul said it expects the
Ford 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel Injector Removal and Installation
The following special tools are needed for this procedure: Removing the injectors: 1. Remove the valve cover. 2. Drain
A New ‘Finish’ in Honing
For years, engine builders have been honing cylinders with a coarse stone followed by a finishing stone. Then ring materials changed, requiring an additional very fine finishing stone to follow. Now current technology demands an added step to create an even cleaner, burr-free finish. However, even with these conventional honing techniques, peaks of folded and
Not Quite a Full Pull
In tractor pulling parlance, a “hook” is when you attempt a pull. A “full pull” is one in which you go the maximum distance of 300 feet. At Engine Builder, we’re mourning one of our own, who made the hook, but didn’t quite get the full pull. Jim Walbolt, who had been a contributor to
Green Strategies: Recycling Scrap and Precious Metals
Engine rebuilding, arguably the truest form of recycling, restores core durability and is part of the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. In fact, the very definition of the word “recycle” could be interchanged with “engine rebuilding.” Recycling means to reuse or make (a substance) available for reuse for biological activities through natural processes of
World’s Smallest V8 Engine
Gary Conley’s 30-year quest to manufacture a true production V8 engine in quarter-scale almost went up in smoke twice, once in 2001 when a foundry fire claimed all his critical molds, and later when oil smoke proved a stubborn problem during run-offs of the engine. Conley overcame the first setback with years of sheer determination.