Understanding the New ILSAC GF-7 Motor Oil Category
Q&A with Pennzoil and API By Sean Nguyen and Bill O’Ryan The automotive industry is advancing once again with the introduction of the ILSAC GF-7 motor oil category, officially licensed on March 31, 2025. This new standard improves engine protection, …
Engine Failure Mystery
One engine, 15 photos, and the unexpected culprit behind a devastating failure By Steve Scott They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what you’re about to see isn’t quite what you would expect from a freshly rebuilt …
Diesel Engine Diagnosis, Part 2
Looking for better clues By Francisco Aristizabal All diesel engines need an unrestricted, constant supply of clean air to run properly and efficiently. As combustion occurs, exhaust gas forces drive a turbocharger; therefore, air intake / exhaust gas system must …
Leave No Stone Unturned
Strategies for overcoming the engine machinist shortage By Rob Munro It’s no secret that finding good people to train as engine builders right now is not an easy task. The automotive industry is facing a significant challenge: a shortage of …
To Grind Or Not To Grind
By Chuck Lynch The engine rebuilding industry has long been a great example of being conscientious recyclers. We kind of pioneered the Green Movements as we have always tried to save as many resources as possible to repair and reuse …
Decoding Crankshaft Failures
What went wrong? By Jim Dettore (As previously published in Gas Compression Magazine) Delve into the intricacies of problem discovery as we traverse the landscapes of innovation and craftsmanship to encounter the enigmatic failures of gas compression components — those …
LS Cam Bearing Challenges
By Mike Mavrigian Replacing cam bearings in a factory LS block can be easy, or it can turn into a can of worms. Granted, this article likely will not answer all questions or address every possible issue, but we’ll make …
Camshaft Grinding
By Andy Kennedy In 1941, Jack Engle built one of the first known cam grinders. He used a bench top lathe, a tool post grinder and a homemade rocking table to make the grinder. Today, cam grinders are more advanced …
Seven Easily Avoidable Engine Rebuild Mistakes
By Charles Navarro and Jake Raby Even when using the best quality engine parts, you cannot always guarantee success. It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or professional, we see easily avoidable mistakes on an almost daily basis in …
Vacuum Gauge Testing… Electronically?
By Chris Hamann Years ago, the vacuum gauge was standard in the diagnostic process. We were taught how to identify engines that had mechanical issues by analyzing the gauge’s needle. We also used a vacuum gauge to adjust the carburetor’s …
Looking Fresh
Moving forward with AERA’s Online and Hands-on Training Programs By Rob Munro Engine technology is changing at lightning speeds and so is the training needed to stay ahead. As the preeminent technical resource and industry voice for internal combustion engine …
Diesel Engine Diagnosis, Part 1
Looking for better clues By Francisco Aristizabal Engine diagnostics procedures are often the greatest challenge when trying to solve a diesel engine failure. When hard parts are involved, i.e., head, block, etc., sometimes some symptoms can be misleading, and cause …
The Missing Step in Rebuilding a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine
By Steve Scott Great job, you have tightened the last bolts and fittings on your freshly rebuilt engine. It is filled with coolant and oil and ready to run, but if you miss the next step, you may be very …
Prosis Pro is Bursting with New Engines
By Rob Munro Rolling into 2025, AERA’s Prosis Pro Engine Specification Software is now loaded with over 15,000 engines. As the leader in supplying technical engine specifications and information, our plan is to add 1,000 new engine listings to Prosis …