Vacation Week

jeffsher63 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:25:42 +0000

For my US readers, a belated Happy Thanksgiving.

I had the week off from my full-time job, but was very busy. I had a dentist appointment for a routine cleaning on Monday, I took our 12 year old Springer Spaniel to the vet on Tuesday for her Rabies vaccine, I took Kevin to his yearly check up on Wednesday, chauffered Kevin around in the afternoons…

I also took our 2003 Chevy Malibu to get a new intake manifold gasket on Tuesday. I knew that when the garage called at 11am, the news probably wasn’t good. The bolts holding the rocker arms were shearing off, and the heads needed to be remachined (does that mean anything to you? it only means $$$ to me). Soooo, I had to rent a car for the week (got a good deal from Enterprise), and hopefully, the work will be done by Tuesday. I’m thinking that this will be the last GM car we get, at least the last one with a 3.1 liter engine. GM was well aware of the issues with that, but continued putting in inferior intake manifold gaskets, as well as using the Dexcool that ruined them.

My sister didn’t get the kidney on Tuesday; she didn’t cross match with the donor. The odd thing is that the Transplant Coordinator asked if she had any blood transfusions lately, as she had antibodies (which she apparently didn’t have before).

I had a white knuckle drive to work this morning; snow on Interstate 80, followed by freezing rain over Washingtonville Mountain/PA 54 (“Warshingtonville” as pronounced by the locals). No Amish buggies this morning, but they apparently already were out before me, judging by the numerous patches of horse manure in my lane.

Medically, I went off my Prilosec for the first time since May. I had never taken it prior to transplant, and want to see if I still need it. I initially was on Pepcid in the hospital, went off of it shortly after coming home, had stomach upset, and then went on Prilosec. I notice that I do have more difficulty tolerating certain foods, in that I can’t eat as much, but that’s a GOOD thing. So, I’ll see how it goes.

We didn’t do the Black Friday doorbusters this year, however, we did get 1 good deal. I need a replacement for my Ipod Nano. Nothing fancy, since I only use it on walks, and don’t use it for video or pics. I’ve been looking at a Samsung 4gb MP3 player. It’s a model that I think just came out, and was $99.99 over the summer. Wal Mart in store has it locally for $79.99, and $69.99 online. I saw that Circuit City had it Friday for $59.99, so I ordered it for instore pickup. When I got to the store, they had it for $79.99, so I saved $20 just by ordering online. I notice today that Wal Mart lowered it another $5, and has it on clearance. since it’s a Christmas gift from Jackie and Kevin, I won’t open it until Christmas, so I won’t know how good it is until then. I’ve always had good luck with Samsung, so it should be fine.

Gasket makers

kpvida — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:03:42 +0000

Prior Gaskets Inc. PGI

From PGI website.

At PGI, we make the gaskets and molded parts that enable your products to function at their peak performance and insure their quality in the marketplace.

We provide OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and rebuilding markets with quality products worldwide.

We work hard to consistently make the best products available and strive to continually improve their quality and competitiveness.

PGI has been a manufacturer in Dallas, Texas for over 54 years and manufactured its first gasket on March 6, 1957.

For many years after its founding, PGI was a division of Southwest Wheel Company of Dallas. Then, in 1977 PGI was sold to and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Brenlin Group. In 1995, PGI was spun off and became a member corporation of The Cypress Companies, Inc. group of companies.

PGI presently occupies a 25,000 square foot facility on 4 acres in Greater Dallas which has been its home since 1979.

SCE Gaskets

from SCE website.

Now the leader in hard core engine gaskets, SCE Gaskets was started in Dan Hunter’s (Ryan’s dad) garage in 1990 as a result of needs identified by the family’s involvement in racing, Following Hunter family roots (his grandfather built bootlegger cars) Ryan has been involved in racing since his teens working on everything from bracket cars to Top Fuel dragsters, eventually co-owning a drag boat operation with his brother Scott in the 80’s and early 90’s. The family tradition continues with Ryan’s sons Caleb and Aaron, Caleb drag races a big block 68’ Camaro, and Aaron races shifter karts.

Using clever design, CNC technology, dynamometer testing and “real world” thrashing, SCE has developed unique, patented and durable sealing solutions for race engines. Innovations include the invention of embossed copper exhaust gaskets (Pro Copper Exhaust), the first self sealing copper head gasket (Titan) and the first and only integral combustion seal in a copper head gasket (ICS Titan).

A closely held corporation, SCE can react quickly to customer and industry requirements with the highest quality materials, in house design, tooling and production. None of our products are made in China! SCE Gaskets are manufactured in our facility in Lancaster, California.

The company boasts a customer list of the most renowned engine builders and race teams in professional motorsports, as well as being the exclusive gasket supplier for several OEM racing and development programs.
Over the years customer input has helped us create new gasket offerings for professional engine builders and performance enthusiasts, we appreciate your business and comments. Please contact us at 1-661-728-9200 or e-mail us at rhunter@scegaskets.com.

BESTgasket Company

from best gasket compay web site
Manufacturing vintage automotive gaskets is what we do…sealing history! 95% of our products are manufactured in the USA by BESTgasket. Even though we have been making gaskets for 60 years, perhaps you have never heard of us until now. Advertising has never been their strength; providing the best gaskets for your vintage ride, is!
BESTgasket was founded in the 1940s by Jack Best, making and selling a full product line of automotive gaskets regionally on the West Coast. In the 1980s, the company began focusing primarily on gaskets for the vintage market. BESTgasket was purchased by Craig Weaver and Armin Brown in 1996. At that time, BESTgasket was known as the low price leader in the industry. Not satisfied, the present owners have charted a new course emphasizing quality. BESTgasket’s products are now second to none, while maintaining our pricing advantage.

BESTgasket manufactures HIGH-QUALITY gaskets throughout our entire product line, but here we want to bring special attention to our HEAD GASKETS and REAR MAIN SEALS.

ABOUT THEIR HEAD GASKETS

The head gasket is the most critical of all engine gaskets, and therefore demands much of our attention.

They make two styles of premium-quality head gaskets:

1) Copper (suffix of “C”) – consists of two outer sheets of a generously thick .010″ copper and a low-density graphite “filler” sheet. This high-quality graphite sheet is superior to asbestos, which was used in the old days, and far superior to the non-asbestos materials found in other maufacturers’ modern copper head gaskets. Excellent torque retention is achieved by using superior materials.Our copper gaskets are definitely “old-school,” but with a modern flair for better performance. They are such works of art, we almost hate to sell them!
2) GraphTite™ (suffix of “G”) – consists of Kevlar reinforced graphite facing material mechanically bonded to both sides of a perforated steel core. This modern engineered, high-performance material is rated to a temperature of 1400 degrees-F. Steel fire rings are installed in the combustion chamber areas of the gasket.
GraphTite™ head gaskets have superb sealing characteristics, excellent torque retention, and hold up to the punishment dished out by high-performance engines – high quality all the way. This gasket might be overkill for cruiser engines, but so what . . extra performance never hurts!
Install GraphTite™ head gaskets using whatever sealant methods have proven to work well for you over the years. Some engine builders use a spray-on sealant like Copper Coat. Others prefer no spray-on sealant, but use a thin bead of silicone sealant around each water and oil hole.
Note: For lower volume applications where tooling costs are prohibitive, BESTgasket may also use head gaskets from other manufacturers or NOS head gaskets for the really old engines.

ABOUT THEIR REAR MAIN SEALS
Ever since the big gasket manufacturers discontinued using asbestos in the 1990s, rope rear main seals have been a huge problem to the vintage car enthusiast. The non-asbestos rope seals available from the big boys are next to impossible to trim and do a poor job of sealing. BESTgasket has two solutions to this problem.
Rubber replacements of rope seals
GraphTite™ rope seals

BESTgasket has developed rubber replacement seals for the following engines where only rope seals have previously been available:
Buick st-8 40-50 series, 1934-53Buick V8 364-401-425, 1957-66 *Cadillac V8 331-365, 1949-58EChevrolet V8 265-283, 1955-58Chrysler V8 392, 1957-58 *Ford V8 312, 1956-57 Oldsmobile V8 301-324, 1949-56Oldsmobile V8 371-394, 1957-58 *Oldsmobile V8 394, 1959-64 *

* included in their Engine Rebuilding Sets, others are only sold separately

GraphTite™ rope seals are miles ahead of any other rope seal out there.This marvelous material is easy to trim. . . and it seals!! To ensure exact trimming, each kit includes installation instructions, a special knife, and a few other trimming aids.Our customers have reported great success with GraphTite™ rope seals, finally solving those aggravating rear main seal leaks. No hype here. . . just results.

Cometic head gaskets

All cometic head gaskets are 4 layer MLS (multi layer steel). Cometic uses stainless steel for increased strength, it’s ablity to rebound and corrision resistance. The outer layers of the gasket are embossed and coated on both sides with a flouroelastomer rubber based material designed to meet the demans of a variety of harsh sealing enviroments, load conditions, and surface finishes. This coating is also heat resistant to 482 degrees F. The shim layers of the head gakset is also stainless steel but is left uncoated and can be varied for a varied thickness. Cometic MLS gaskets are ideal for aluminum or iron surfaces will seal better than any other gasket PERIOD!

Cometic Multi-Layer Steel Head Gasket (DSM)

Ford Mustang Fel Pro Engine Gasket Set

The Photo above shows a ford gasket (Fel-Pro complete engine gasket set) for 1986 to 1993 5.0L 302w.

Fel-Pro gasket kit sets include premium-quality head gaskets, intake gaskets, exhaust gaskets, valve-cover gaskets, oil-pan gaskets, valve-stem seals, and all accessory gaskets. everything you need for a complete engine rebuild. Includes 1 piece rear main seal.

ITM engine components, Inc.

from ITM web site

ITM Engine Components, Inc. is a worldwide distributor and importer of internal
engine components for import vehicles. This includes Asian and European vehicles as
well as Domestic applications based on import platforms. Our components primarily
are for passenger vehicles and light trucks but some engines do also carry over into the
industrial market.

ITM’s parent company is Folks Enterprise LTD. which is located in Taipei, Taiwan.
Folks Ent. is a large part of why ITM can bring high quality parts to the US at such
low aftermarket prices. Folks Ent. communicates directly with the far east factories
that ITM purchases from to make sure that ITM’s specifications are met before the
parts are ever loaded for shipping. Heavy communication between the factory, Folks
Ent, and ITM, is a very thorough process to make sure ITM is providing the best
possible component to the automotive aftermarket. The components we distribute
meet or exceed OEM specifications for quality. Many of these components are
manufactured by the same factories that are contracted by the original auto maker.
All have ISO processes in place.

Hondata heatshield gasket

The Heatshield is a replacement intake manifold gasket made from special high temperature plastic, designed to insulate the intake manifold from the cylinder head.

Hondata have developed a special high temperature insulating gasket which replaces the stock intake gasket. This and bypassing several heat sources significantly reduces the transfer of heat from the head to the intake and incoming air giving you up to 5% more power.

Turbocharged cars often use an aluminum intercooler to cool the air compressed by the turbo. The intake manifold is also made of aluminum but because it is heated by the head from combustion and coolant, works in reverse to an intercooler by heating the intake air by as much as 50° C.

Fact: For every 3.3 °C (5° F) rise in intake temperature, air density drops 1%. The hotter the air, the less fuel the computer injects to compensate for reduced oxygen. HondaLogger datalogging software has enabled us to measure intake air temperature under varied driving conditions.

Around town, testing has shown an average drop of around 10 degrees C which is good for around 3 percent power increase. Remember though that 3 percent power increase is difficult to feel. You’d feel a greater change in performance getting rid of that passenger. In certain conditions a 30° C drop has been measured.

The Honda manifold is heated in up to 5 places. From the head, the interior heating takeoff hose, the cold idle valve, the idle control valve and the throttle body heater. The Heatshield gasket kit contains an insulating gasket, and installation instructions. A race version only version with the thermostat bypass blocked is also available.

intake-manifold-gasket « WordPress.com Tag Feed