Valeo Clutches Now Available at RockAuto

Current RockAuto Promotion

Get Car Care for Car Guys: Tips & Techniques Beyond Auto Maintenance 101 signed by author Ralph Kalal for:

• $0 with a $200 or more purchase, a $24.95 savings.
• $5 with a $130 or more purchase, a $19.95 savings.
• $10 with a $95 or more purchase, a $14.95 savings.

Put the book in your shopping cart by clicking on the Extras tab at the top of the RockAuto catalog page and then looking under Literature --> Repair Manual --> General Automotive Repair Manual. Or use the Part Number Search tab to pull up the book’s part number: SA144. These books all ship separately from parts and incur their own shipping charge. The promotion runs until October 31st or until we run out of books.

Car Care for Car Guys: Tips & Techniques Beyond Auto Maintenance 101 by RockAuto’s own Ralph Kalal was written for the true automotive enthusiast who enjoys working on their car. The book explains the purpose of parts, how they work, and gives tips on how to choose the most appropriate replacement parts. What are the real differences between semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads? Read the “Choosing the Right Brake Pads” section. Working on your first distributorless ignition system? Read “Mechanical, Electronic, and Distributorless Ignition Systems” and “Trouble-Shooting Distributorless Ignition Systems”. Curious about oxygen sensors? Read “How an Oxygen Sensor Works”.

With Car Care for Car Guys also learn when and why parts fail and how to maintain systems to get the maximum life out of parts. Learn how to properly disassemble and work on vehicle systems without inadvertently causing damage.

After wading through factory repair manuals, Car Care for Car Guys is like a breath of fresh air. It describes real-world conditions under the hood with clear text and clear photographs and describes doing repairs with readily available tools. Vehicle specific manuals are still necessary but Car Care for Car Guys will be a big help when the factory manual abruptly ends a repair with something like: “Now use tool AQ2341-872 to adjust and reassemble.”

No matter how much experience they have, every new RockAuto Customer Service person gets his or her own copy of Car Care for Car Guys.

Forum of the Month

The AstroSafari.com online community is a discussion forum based on the popular Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari vans. AstroSafari.com is a one stop resource for all Astro/Safari van related discussions, with forum topics & photos including maintenance, repairs, performance, and care.

The Astro and Safari both have popular followings due, in part, to their mid-size construction, rear wheel drive, and truck-based design. Some vans have the original 4.3L Vortec V6 engine which can easily be swapped with a small-block V8 engine, such as the Chevrolet 350. This swap is simplified because the 4.3L V6 is based on the GM small-block V8, and most of the factory drivetrain components can be reused.

AstroSafari.com has been on the web since 2002 and some say even earlier in some form or another. Known now as the "The original home for Astro & Safari vans" AstroSafari.com has a solid membership of helpful enthusiasts. Membership is free and other supportive members are available to help you get the most out of your van experience.

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 jessa@rockauto.com.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

I had just finished replacing the head gaskets on an early solid lifter 318 (1961 Dodge Dart). The plugs were out and I was using a ratchet to turn the front crank bolt to set the valve lash. When I finished the job I put the plugs back in and started the engine. To my horror a loud whirring noise came from the front of the engine. When I looked down the front of the engine there was my ratchet with the socket still firmly on the crank bolt ratcheting away. I hate to think of what would have happened if the wrench would have been set in the other direction!

John in New York

Tech Tip: “Upstream” and “Downstream” O2 Sensor Geography

Oxygen sensor terminology can be confusing. Here’s a guide to deciphering it all.

Oxygen sensors are described as “upstream” or “downstream.” An “upstream” sensor is located near the engine, typically in the exhaust manifold. A “downstream” sensor is located near the catalytic converter. Though both perform the same function – measuring the proportion of unburned fuel and oxygen in the exhaust – the differing data points allow the engine computer to determine whether all of the components in the engine management and emissions systems are properly functioning.

That means, of course, that there will always be at least two O2 sensors in any vehicle – at least those built after 1996, when the emissions regulations requiring oxygen sensors became law.

Usually, however, there are more – often as many as four.

Any car with a V engine (V-6, V-8, etc.) will have two upstream sensors, one for each cylinder bank. These are called the “bank 1” and “bank 2” sensors. Bank 1 is whichever cylinder bank has the number one cylinder. That’s the one that fires first in the firing order. (All cylinders on an in-line engine are bank 1.)

The number of downstream sensors varies between manufacturers and vehicles. One will always be located downstream of the catalytic converter, so that there is a measure of the converter’s efficiency. But many car makers use two downstream sensors, one somewhat before of the catalytic converter and the other after it.

Sensors are also described by the number of wires employed: three, four, or five. Because O2 sensors don’t function properly until they reach an operating temperature of about 600ºF., modern practice is to electrically heat the sensor so that it functions as soon as the engine starts. How that is accomplished determines whether three or four wires are used. The latest technology in O2 sensors, the “wideband” sensor, uses five wires. You must replace a sensor with one that uses the same number of wires as the original.

Sensors are either “universal” or “direct fit.” Universal sensors are designed to fit multiple vehicles using the same sensor “bulb,” the part that sticks into the exhaust. But, universal sensors do not come ready to install. The electrical connector will have to be assembled first. In contrast, a direct fit sensor is ready to install right out of the box and simply plugs into the existing wiring.

Which sensor do you replace?

A scan tool or code reader will retrieve the diagnostic trouble code set as the result of an O2 sensor malfunction. Trouble codes are specific to the sensor, so the trouble code will effectively designate the sensor which set the code.

And, of course, the best selection of oxygen sensors is at RockAuto.com. It’s under “Emissions” in the online catalog.

Ralph Kalal,
RockAuto.com

This is my 1967 Corvette Sting Ray that I have owned for 34 years. I drive it every day unless the weather is really bad. What is shown in the picture is usually the only part of the Corvette most drivers see, unless it is parked (Ha!).

I maintain the car myself and buy tune up, suspension, shocks, electrical, brake parts, and everything else I need from RockAuto. I like the convenience, wide selection of brands, and excellent value I receive from RockAuto. And did I mention the fast shipping? My experience with them has been exceptional. In addition to the Corvette parts, I also purchase parts for my Cadillac, GMC Sierra, and my sons’ cars at RockAuto. I guess I’m hooked on a good thing!

David in Washington

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