RockAuto.com RockAuto January Newsletter :: Early Edition
RockAuto January Newsletter :: Early Edition

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Another Happy Customer!

I was in great need of a heater hose for my Mustang. It is an odd shape that I could not find anywhere,so I
checked into RockAuto. Well guess what, they had it! And at a super low price
with fast shipping also.

Looking forward to doing business with RockAuto in
the future.

Larry in Canada

 

Upcoming Events
If you would like your event featured here, email us with details.

Alternative Car Care Anniversary Show
1/8/2011
Hudson, FL
e-mail

Eagle Raceway - End of Year Banquet
1/8/2011
Bennington, NE
e-mail

Cars for Hope
1/8/2011
Mesa, AZ
e-mail

Red Hill Hot Rod Show & Shine
1/9/2011
Victoria, AU
website

Renegade Corvette Club-5th Annual Open Car & Truck Show
1/9/2011
Hollywood, FL
e-mail

Midwest Speed Expo
1/9/2011
Springfield, IL
website

11th Annual Street Fair, Car & Bike Show
1/15/2011
Casa Grande, AZ
e-mail

Rogers Winte Burnout Charity Car Show
1/15/2011
Mokena, IL
website

Winter Rod & Speed Show 2011
1/15/2011
Salem, OR
e-mail

Jan's Beef O'Brady's Cruiz-In
1/16/2011
New Port Richey, FL
e-mail

141 Speedway-End of the Year Banquet
1/22/2011
Manitowoc, WI
website

4th Annual Mopars on the Border IV Car Show
1/28/2011
Mission, TX
e-mail

CJ Speedway-End of the Year Banquet
1/29/2011
Wapello, IA
e-mail

Madison International Speedway-End of the Year Banquet
1/29/2011
Evansville, WI
e-mail

Texas Raceway-End of the Year Banquet
1/29/2011
Kennedale, TX
e-mail

Magnolia Drag Strip-End of the Year Banquet
1/30/2011
Canton, OH
e-mail

Centerville Super Speedway-End of The Year Banquet
1/31/2011
Centerville, AR
e-mail

Farmington Dragway-End of the Year Banquet
1/31/2011
Mocksville, NC
e-mail

Luxemburg Speedway-End of the Year Banquet
1/31/2011
Denmark, WI
e-mail

Moler Raceway Park-End of the Year Banquet
1/31/2011
Williamsburg, OH
e-mail

Rhino Cruising Car & Bike Show
1/31/2011
Queen Creek, AZ
e-mail

Wilkesboro Raceway Park-End of the Year Banquet
1/31/2011
Wilkesboro, NC
e-mail

 

Lisle Automotive Tools

Lisle Automotive Tools

Lisle tools have been added to the “Extras” section of the RockAuto catalog. With more than 400 automotive specialty tools to choose from, you’ll surely find a tool to make your next job quick and easy! Here are some must-haves:Specialty tools are listed there under clutch, exhaust, etc

Lisle part Speedy Brake Pad Spreader # 24300

Changing brake pads? Check out Lisle part # 24300. This “Speedy Brake Pad Spreader” makes brake pad replacement an easy job. Squeeze the handle and the fast acting plunger compresses disc brake pistons in seconds.

Lisle Pulley Puller/Installer part # 38850

Replacing a power steering, alternator, or air pump pulley? Lisle’s “Pulley Puller/Installer”, part # 38850 will remove and install pulleys on most GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Special adapters are included for GM 3.1 and Quad 4 engines. This tool works on traditional V-shaped pulleys and serpentine belt system pulleys.

Lisle hose removal pliers part # 47900

Removing a fuel or vacuum hose? For easy removal of 5/32" to 1/2" hoses, invest in Lisle’s hose removal pliers, part # 47900. The pliers’ sharpened jaw digs into the hose to grip it. Squeeze and the hose is easily pushed off by the silver jaw.

 

To find the tool for your next project, click on the “Extras” tab found at the top of the RockAuto catalog. All job specific tools are listed in the system they relate to under clutch, exhaust, etc.

 

 

Forum of the Month

GoldwingDocs.com

GoldwingDocs.com is one of the largest web sites dedicated to Honda Goldwing motorcycles, from the 1970's era GL1000 to the current GL1800. The totally free site has the Internet's largest collection of Goldwing "how to" DIY articles, helping you do all your own repairs and maintenance. A large forum of friendly users are always there to help you with any problems you might have, or just to engage in a friendly chat. A massive database of Goldwing-related classified ads is online, as well as the most popular feature - a monthly contest to win free Goldwing-related prizes! If you own a Goldwing, if you're thinking about buying one, or even if you're just a fan - come check us out and say hello!

 

If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact cynthia@rockauto.com.

 

 

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Ouch!

It was 1987, and my youngest brother and I were planning a road trip from our parents' house near Toronto to my friend's house in Maryland. We were going to be driving my 1982 Datsun 200SX - my very first car.

Before we went, I decided it would be a good idea to change the oil and check all the fluids in the car. My 14-year-old brother had never changed the oil in a car before, so I figured it would be a good time to teach him how. I had him undo the drain bolt and drain the oil, then fit the filter wrench onto the oil filter and remove it, all under my instruction.

After the oil had drained, he put the drain bolt back in, and I double-checked its tightness - just in case! He also screwed the new oil filter in place while I opened the case of new oil. I had him fill the engine, and showed him how to check the level on the dipstick. We were ready to roll!

Seven and a half hours of driving later, we were in Maryland - and the oil light illuminated on the dash. I opened the window, and heard the engine making a not-very-healthy noise. A gas station was just ahead, so I pulled in. Upon checking the dipstick - it was dry, showing not a drop of oil! Looking at the underside of the car, it was absolutely dripping with oil.

In my brother's oil-change instruction, I had forgotten to tell him about one crucial step: to lubricate the rubber seal on the new filter with some fresh oil before installing it. As a result, the seal had bound up and folded over when the filter was tightened in place, leaving a small gap for oil to spray out!

I replaced the filter with a new one, and poured another five quarts of oil into the engine, apologized to the gas station attendant for the oily mess we left behind, and we went on our way. The Datsun seemed unaffected by the lack of lubrication, and ran great from that day on.

Scott in Ohio

 

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for awhile!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and shirt size (large or extra large) and we will mail you a RockAuto "Do it yourself?" t-shirt if we publish your story (see the t-shirts under Extras in the catalog). The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

 

 

Automotive Trivia

Automotive Trivia

What is the primary difference in design between a "hot" spark plug and a "cold" spark plug?

A. The gap between electrodes. A "hot" spark plug has a larger gap than a "cold" plug.
B. The length of the insulator surrounding the center electrode. A long insulator means the tip of the "hot" spark plug stays hotter. The short insulator on a "cold" plug means less heat is retained at the tip and more heat is dissipated through the body of the plug.
C. A "hot" plug has one or both electrodes made of an advanced conductor such as platinum or iridium. A "cold" plug has conventional copper and steel electrodes.

Answer below

 

 

Anniversary Gift

RockAuto

The Tempo's ignition coil was about 1/3 vaporized away

My wife and I celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this year. Platinum is the official “modern” 20th wedding anniversary gift. To start the year off right, I picked out a set of Bosch platinum spark plugs for my wife’s Ford Tempo.

RockAuto has a large selection of spark plugs even for a sedate Tempo. I had a choice of plugs with copper, platinum, double platinum or iridium electrodes by manufacturers including ACDelco, Autolite, Bosch, Champion, Denso, Motorcraft and NGK.

The spark plug is at the end of the line where the flame meets the gasoline. But I made sure to also look back up the circuit at the less glamorous parts of the ignition system. On my wife’s Ford that means the spark plug wires, rotor, distributor cap, and ignition coil. If one of those ignition parts is worn out then it may not matter what the spark plug electrodes are made of.

The terminal on the Tempo’s ignition coil was about 1/3 vaporized away. Not a proper way to deliver sufficient electrical current to a set of new platinum plugs! I gave my wife a new Standard Motor Products ignition coil with a copper alloy terminal. (Copper is actually the “traditional” 7th wedding anniversary gift!)

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com


 

 

Brian's 1967 Chevelle Malibu
Brian's 1967 Chevelle Malibu

After dreaming of owning a classic muscle car since I was a kid, finally three years ago at 40 years old, I was able to find a “Diamond in the Rough” 1967 Chevelle Malibu. A great car that I would be able to drive on curvy roads, but mainly take to local car shows. The interior and paint/body were pretty much good to go with only minor things needing replacement. The car did not have to be completely disassembled, but the drive train and suspension really needed work to make this a nice and safe driver.

The Malibu started out with a tired 283 engine, a Powerglide two speed transmission, and a GM 10 bolt rear end. This all needed to be replaced to put the muscle in the “muscle car” and do well on the freeway, so I swapped in a built 327 with 365hp, a 200 4R overdrive transmission, and a 12 bolt rear end with a posi-traction unit. Both front and rear suspensions have been completely restored and improved upon with modern shocks, and a larger front sway bar to improve handling.

RockAuto has helped me find the right parts from day one, and it’s a long list that have made this car a joy to drive knowing it’s safe and solid with all the new parts. Power Steering pump, Power Steering lines, Rear Coil Springs, Brake Drums and Shoes, Tie Rod Ends, Ball Joints, Bushings, and so much more than I can even remember.

Brian in California

 

 

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to feature you & your car or truck in our monthly newsletter. Please e-mail flamur@rockauto.com with details.

 

 

Automotive Trivia Answer

Automotive Trivia

What is the primary difference in design between a "hot" spark plug and a "cold" spark plug?

Answer: B The length of the insulator surrounding the center electrode. A long insulator means the tip of the "hot" spark plug stays hotter. The short insulator on a "cold" plug means less heat is retained at the tip and more heat is dissipated through the body of the plug.

(source: http://www.boschautoparts.com/Technical%20Resources/Spark%20Plugs/PlugHeatRange.pdf )

Back up to trivia question

 

 

 

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