Engine Professional Podcast

In this episode of the Engine Professional Podcast, Steve and Chuck discuss the addition of a new team member, Andy Kennedy, and upcoming regional conferences. They then dive into the topic of parts cleaning, focusing on the challenges and best practices for cleaning cast iron and aluminum parts. They discuss different cleaning methods such as thermal cleaning, hot tanks with caustic chemicals, and soaking and touch on the importance of regular cleaning and the factors to consider when determining how often to clean or dump the cleaning solution. In this conversation, Steve and Chuck discuss the challenges of disposing of cleaning chemicals properly and the importance of checking with local officials for regulations.

In this episode, Steve and Chuck discuss the difference between dry and wet sleeves, as well as replacement cylinder liners. A recap of the PRI and HDAW shows – including who won the 2023 EREF Engine Giveaway!

Steve and Chuck discuss all the happenings at PRI involving AERA. Starting with EPIC – the Engine Professional Industry Conference on Wednesday, December 6; the EREF Engine Giveaway; as well as the VIP Party on Friday evening. You will not want to miss all that is happening at PRI this year for AERA!

Steve and Chuck continue from their last episode on engine assembly to engine testing. Now that the engine is assembled, they discuss what the next steps are for testing the engine to make sure that there are no leaks and everything is running smoothly. They also recap recent industry events, as well as announce the retirement of one of AERA’s long-tenured employees.

Steve and Chuck provide some important tips to consider when assembling an engine. Recap of the Liberty regional conference as well as a preview of the CWT conference where attendees get a chance to win an engine balancing machine!

It has been a while as AERA has been very busy with travel and trade shows, but the guys are back! Steve and Chuck discuss the SEMA and PRI shows as well as the 100-year celebration at the Engine Professional VIP Party during PRI. Engine Warranty is the topic of discussion this month and the importance of educating your customers on the warranty and getting all the information you can if there is a comeback. In our history segment: the first diesel trip in the US was an 800-mile trip from Indianapolis to New York on just $1.38 of fuel in January of 1930.

Steve and Chuck, along with special guest Dan Begle from MAHLE, discuss engine analysis. Dan tells us about when he worked in the NASCAR world doing engine analysis, documenting his findings, and why this is important. They also answer tech questions received on the AERA techline that deal with surface finish for head gaskets and gasket thickness. For the history segment this month, they take a look at when the Small Block Chevy came to life and how big was it!

In this episode, Steve and Chuck introduce a new segment of the podcast called “Ask The Tech” where they take questions received on the AERA techline and explain the answers. This episode is on compression ratio, understanding what it is and how a machining process can change the compression ratio. Our history segment covers an invention that we all probably like in our vehicles – the cruise control!

Steve and Chuck introduce you to AERA’s newest technical specialist, Fernando Curello. Fernando comes from the manufacturing side of our industry but has a vast knowledge of engine building – and he speaks Spanish. Junior Johnson makes our history segment for the month of June with his moonshine and NASCAR history.

Steve and Chuck interview Paul Kelly from Maxiforce Engine Parts, who supplies diesel engine parts, about the opportunities that are out there for machine shops in the small-bore diesel engine market. Paul enlightens everyone about how one engine can be used in several different pieces of equipment from one manufacturer. Also, this month’s history segment pertains to the Indianapolis 500 and how one of our longtime associate members participated in the Indianapolis 500 in the early years.

Chuck Lynch and Dave Hagen interview Jeff Harmening from the American Petroleum Institute (API). Jeff explains licensing of engine oils, proper storage and handling, engine oil specifications, diesel engine oils, and what should engine builders expect with new engine oils. Steve and Chuck also discuss the Ford Flathead V8 engine during the history segment of the podcast. They also let you know about the upcoming AERA Regional Tech & Skills Conferences.

Chuck and guest co-host Dave Hagen, AERA’s Senior Technician (filling in for Steve for this episode), discuss how parts can become magnetized and how to demagnetize those parts. February is the month of NASCAR as the Daytona 500 kicks off the 2022 season, so they also cover the formation of NASCAR. Plus, one little nugget about the 2021 Ford Bronco Engine!

Steve and Chuck discuss the importance of inspecting and checking your incoming parts before you start to assemble that engine. Making sure that that the parts you ordered are correct by taking measurements and comparing is a vital step in making sure that engine runs and last. Also discussed is the finishing of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which was completed in December of 1909. Take a listen and learn a little history as well as checking and inspecting parts coming into the machine shop!

Steve and Chuck discuss the AERA Engine Machinist Online Training and Certification Program with AERA’s Rob Munro and special guest Dave Capitolo, who is an instructor from De Anza College. Dave goes into detail about how he uses the program in his classroom to help teach engine rebuilding. The group discusses the program and how it can benefit you moving forward when looking for job placement in the engine machining/building industry. Steve and Chuck also discuss the BOSS 302 and everything happening at the upcoming PRI Show for AERA!

Steve and Chuck take a deep dive into why you should use a torque plate when honing the cylinder block and its importance. Also, do you know which car manufacturer and model just hit the 50 million mark in sales? They will inform you as well as which engine hit the 2 million production mark in 1955. Take a listen and subscribe to the Engine Professional podcast!

Steve and Chuck talk with Randy Neal from CWT Industries about the importance of balancing engine components. Randy goes into detail about balancing and why it is so important. Take a listen and subscribe to the Engine Professional Podcast!

Steve and Chuck talk with Lake Speed Jr from Total Seal Piston Rings about Tribology and what it is, piston rings and bore sealing. But before the discussion with Lake, they take a step back in time to enlighten the listeners on some history for July when the first Ford vehicle sold back in 1903!

Steve and Chuck discuss important precautions that should be looked at during engine break in. Making sure your engine is broken in correctly and properly will help make that newly rebuilt engine last longer.

Steve and Chuck interview Norris Marshall of Blueprint Engines in Nebraska about the importance of engine blueprinting. Norris shares how he got started in the business as well as some key points when blueprinting an engine.