Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/409537
60 | Overdrive | November 2014 Custom Rigs PRo tiPs Bruce Mallinson is the owner of Pittsburgh Power, an engine performance shop in Saxonburg, Pa. Check out our website for ALL our products www.talladegafi berglass.com $1,100 PER PAIR Check out our website for ALL our products PER PAIR Check out our website for ALL our products New $250 20 IN. BUMPER $400 $400 $400 $400 877-595-3074 • Fuel Tank Light Panel .............. $250 • T-Bar Rear Bumper .................. $450 • Front Bumper: 20" .................. $400 • Front Bumper: 22" .................. $475 • Cowl & Sleeper Panels ............. $200+ • Low Cut Single Hump Fenders.. $600 • Stock Front Fenders ................ $450 • Half Fenders: Low Cut ............. $600 • Half Fenders: Regular .............. $550 • Flat Top Conversions ............... $825+ • Battery Box Covers ................. $350 • Pete 359/379 Roof Caps.......... $600 • Fenders • Bumpers • Visors • Battery & Tool Box Covers Ask about our 6 months same as cash offer! Ask about our 6 months same as cash offer! same as cash offer! FENDERS $725 PER PAIR 877-595-3074 877-595-3074 • • • • • • • • Flat Top Conversions • • Battery Box Covers Battery Box Covers • • Pete 359/379 Roof Caps Pete 359/379 Roof Caps $725 $725 PER PAIR PER PAIR PER PAIR PER PAIR PER PAIR $450 TalladegaFiberglass_OVD0313_PG.indd 1 7/23/13 9:46 PM Text INFO to 205-289-3555 or visit www.ovdinfo.com I have talked about liner protrusion many times since I started writing. But most owner- operators who get their engines built by other shops never ask where the mechanic set the liner protrusion. Liner protrusion refers to how far the cylinder liner protrudes above the spacer plate on the top of the block. If the liner does not protrude enough, the head gasket can, and will, fail. Proper protrusion, or even a little "extra" protrusion, forms a better seal and helps the head gasket withstand the forces put on it under nor- mal and severe working conditions. We recently had a phone call from a truck owner who had blown his head gasket shortly after an in-chassis rebuild by a dealership. He asked us, "Why did it blow?" We did not build the engine, so we asked him where the liner protrusion was set. He didn't know, so he called the dealership and asked. They told him it was "none of his business," adding that it didn't matter and he couldn't change it anyway. None of his business? This is major! It's what holds the head gasket, and it is very much his busi- ness: It's his engine and his livelihood. And, yes, it can be changed. You just have to spend the money for the upper counterbore cut- ter for every engine that needs the work. It's expensive, but so is pulling a head every year to replace the head gasket – especially when they aren't under warranty. Cutting the counter- bore is the first step in building an engine that will last, and it's critical. Ask the shop that's work- ing on your engine if they have the cutting tool and know the right spec. If they don't, find another shop to build your engine. Liner protrusion and why it's critical