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Category Focus: Engine Parts
Recently released products in the automotive engine parts space include variable valve timing chain kits from Cloyes, a rear differential cover from Dorman, spark plug wire and boots sleeves from DEI, and a new piston kit from Mahle.
Welcome to Auto Service World’s Category Focus, looking at recent announcements from automotive aftermarket tool makers, parts manufacturers, and distributors.
6.7L Diesel PowerPak Piston Kit
Mahle Motorsport now offers the market’s most comprehensive line of Dodge Cummins diesel performance pistons with the addition of its 6.7L Diesel PowerPak Piston Kit (part #197850313). This kit was developed for diesel drag race and pulling applications for the Dodge Cummins 6.7L.
Featuring Mahle’s exclusive M142P alloy because of its high temperature and strength and low expansion characteristics, this PowerPak kit includes German steel pins and a stainless steel Nitride ring set – 1/16″, 1/16″ and 3/16″. The pistons feature a hard anodized top ring groove for added durability and increased longevity, and GRAFAL coating for reduced drag, scuffing friction and cylinder bore wear. For this kit, Mahle also offers the choice of a thermal barrier crown coating.
The pistons are designed with a modified bowl that mimics the design used in industrial QSB applications. This design reduces erosion issues caused by high pressure, long duration or advanced injection timing. The pistons feature oversized valve pockets that are 0.200” deep allowing up to 1.500” intake and a 1.450” exhaust valve diameter. Fully radiused valve pockets reduce stress and fatigue cracking. With a 2.722” compression height the pistons allow for 0.010” deck machining while retaining the stock piston protrusion.
Spark plug protective sleeves
DEI’s new 7” Silver Protect-A-Boots sleeves protect spark plug wires and boots from excessive heat generated from the engine, exhaust manifold, and headers that can cause wires and boots to burn, harden, or crack, resulting in arcing, misfire, or even full-ignition failure. Designed to withstand direct heat up to 1200°F, they are extremely pliable, allowing for easy installation for straight or angled boots.
Made from high-temperature resistant woven glass fiber material with double-wall construction with no restricting steel ring, they are resistant to damage from chemicals, abrasions and contaminants. The new 7” size Silver Protect-A-Boots are now available in three options – 2 pack (#010510), 4 pack (#010509), or 8 pack (#010518), or in bulk (#010520).
Rear differential cover
A new rear differential cover from Dorman allows replacement of the rusted cover instead of the whole rear axle. This weld-on replacement cover is made of heavier-gauge steel than the original part for a longer service life and is finished in weld-through primer.
The new cover saves money, allowing the technician to replace the rusted original equipment cover without replacing the entire axle assembly.
It is direct replacement part, with exact fit, form, appearance, and function
It also offers greater durability. Constructed from heavier-gauge stamped steel than the original cover, it comes ready to install – pre-primed in weldable primer for a clean installation.
Variable valve timing chain kits
Cloyes Gear and Products has announced the release of timing chain kits with variable valve timing (VVT) actuators, providing professional technicians with a complete repair solution.
Designed for the replacement of worn or damaged timing chains, tensioners, sprockets, guides, and VVT actuators (also known as cam phasers), Cloyes timing chain VVT kits are the convenient solution when replacing all major components in a timing chain job.
“VVT actuators are naturally part of the timing system and it only makes sense for Cloyes to offer high-quality, aftermarket VVT system components that work with our current timing system product offerings,” said Jason Thompson, vice president of engineering and product development for Cloyes. “Our expertise in modern timing systems, combined with our manufacturing and quality standards, resulted in Cloyes developing VVT actuators that work as good as or better than OE units and will withstand abuse in the most demanding applications.”
For 3V Ford 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter applications, Cloyes has developed a uniquely designed actuator that is superior to the OE product. Testing against the OE actuator, the Cloyes units exhibited 20 percent less frictional drag and produced 10 percent more torque at the same oil pressure. Used OE actuators can hemorrhage oil to and from rotor chambers through worn rotor vanes that drag/seal along the stator ID. The Cloyes actuators use tightly toleranced, long duration rotor vanes that do not contact the stator, therefore eliminating the wear and drag of the OE and other aftermarket designed units.
“Repair is timely and can take close to 12 labor hours to complete on the 3V 5.4L Ford F-150,” said Cody Smith, technical support manager for Cloyes. “With our complete kit, as well as our continued focus on training and technical support, we are providing our customers with a solution to reduce comebacks and reduce the chance of having to do the time-consuming job a second time.”
The first two timing chain VVT kits from Cloyes provide coverage for nearly 5 million vehicles in operation. In 2019, Cloyes will complete the development of additional timing chain VVT kits for a wide range of popular applications in the North American market.
Manufacturers should consider the cost implications of ignoring the effects of corrosion on auto components. If corrosion effects are considered in the design phase and the right decisions made prior to construction, autos can be built to last and protected for as long as possible. In working with folks in the protective packaging industry, I know the importance of being pre-emptive when it comes to corrosion prevention or else you could wind up spending a lot more than you’d like.