Look no further than RockAuto for durable and affordable differential parts from USA Standard Gear. You will find the most complete selection of Ring & Pinion Sets manufactured from high strength steel for maximum wear resistance and designed for easy set up. USA Standard Gear is the choice for installers when high quality is essential and price is a factor. USA’s complete line of differential parts includes Ring & Pinions, front and rear Axle Shafts, Bearing & Installation Kits, Spider Gear Kits and more. Their exceptional Spartan Locker provides greater traction without accelerated tire wear or hard steering.

USA Standard Gear is offering RockAuto customers an exclusive rebate through May 19th. The rebate covers USA’s line of Positraction Differentials, Spartan Lockers, Ring & Pinion Sets, Differential Bearing Installation Kits, front and rear Axle Shafts, and Spider Gear Kits. Find the complete selection under the “Drivetrain” category for your specific vehicle.

See USA Standard Gear rebate details and learn about other current manufacturer rebates on RockAuto’s Promotions and Rebates page. While shopping, watch for the yellow "Promotion/Rebate" next to the part names to help you save even more on RockAuto’s reliably low prices!

NICOclub.com is a vast website for Nissan and Infiniti enthusiasts, offering accurate Nissan repair and troubleshooting information, friendly forums, Nissan and Infiniti news and events, and a true sense of community.

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 megant@rockauto.com.

I was 19 and had a 1977 Camaro I picked up for $500. One weekend, I decided the car needed a radio, so I installed one along with some speakers. I cruised around all evening with the stereo cranked, having a great time! I picked up my girlfriend and her friend from work and went to visit a friend of mine. When we decided to head home later that night, I started up the Camaro and all of a sudden, smoke started pouring from the engine compartment! Everyone bolted out, and I ran around screaming at my girlfriend to, "get a fire extinguisher!" I grabbed the garden hose from my friend's front lawn and found out the hose was too short when I landed on my back while running towards my burning Camaro! By now the smoke had stopped, so I lifted the hood to see the power wire for the radio I attached to the positive terminal of the battery had melted. All the commotion woke my buddy's parents (and most of the neighborhood as well). I was really embarrassed! Needless to say, everyone was pretty shaken up, so the whole car was silent, especially without a radio!

That experience taught me the importance of installing the proper fuse and selecting the correct gauge wire for the application. My girlfriend became my wife, and she loves to make fun of me for it almost two decades later!

Mike in California

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 a while!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts 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!

Through the early 1970s, what was a consistent difference between sister Dodge and Plymouth models such as the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda?

A. The Dodge version typically had a longer wheelbase and body than the Plymouth.
B. The highest output V8 engines were typically reserved for the Dodge version of the car. Six cylinder motors were only available in the Plymouth.
C. The rear window of the Dodge version was concave while the Plymouth window was at least slightly convex (as viewed from outside the car).

Answer below

RockAuto carries turbochargers for the 1980s era Mercedes five cylinder diesel. This month, I met hot rodders working to get more performance from that old Mercedes engine by installing the larger turbocharger RockAuto carries for the 5.9L Cummins diesel found in newer Dodge trucks. (Disclaimer: RockAuto does not endorse warranty-voiding turbo swaps, especially if your great-aunt does not even know you "borrowed" her Mercedes!)

Seeing this fun project underway made me think about how challenging it will be to tune the car to retain some semblance of OE Mercedes drivability. There may be significant turbo lag if less exhaust from a smaller engine takes longer to spool up the larger turbo. I also wondered about the longevity of the new turbo. What does a turbo need to stay happy? The answers to that question are increasingly important to more of us. Already more than 20% of engines in new cars and trucks have turbochargers, and that percentage is expected to increase to 80% as carmakers continue to seek better fuel economy from smaller engines.

Turbos need lots of clean air. A dirty engine air filter may lead to a damaged turbocharger. Engine computers can adjust air/fuel mixtures, but they typically have less ability to adjust the speed of a turbo. When the exhaust gas side of the turbo spins, then the clean air side of the turbo spins. A turbo wastegate can bypass exhaust gas to slow the turbo and reduce turbo air pressure (boost), but a clogged air filter causes excessive vacuum rather than excessive boost. If the spinning turbo vanes cannot suck in clean air, then the resulting excess vacuum may suck oil from around the turbo's bearing seals. Oil residue or any contaminants will shorten the life of turbos spinning at tens or hundreds of thousands of rpm.

Using the oil recommended by the engine manufacturer is crucial for many systems on modern cars. Clean engine oil with the right viscosity is necessary to operate everything from timing chain tensioners to variable valve timing solenoids. The right oil is necessary to cool and lubricate the bearings in a turbo. To prevent clogging the oil passages in the new turbo, the hot rodders will have to make sure the crankcase in the old Mercedes motor is as clean as possible and use an oil that is recommended for both the Mercedes and Cummins engines. Something else to avoid is overfilling the engine oil or a blocked oil return line. Either of these may prevent oil from continuously flowing through the turbo.

Diesel enthusiasts love the old Mercedes five cylinder because it is not finicky about used French fry oil in the fuel tank or other indignities. Hopefully, that Mercedes turbo hot rodding project will provide years of diesel torque fun!

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.

I would like to introduce you to my 1973 Chevrolet Blazer Cheyenne, 5.7L V8 4x4.

The Blazer was imported into the Netherlands in 2002. I bought it in early 2015. Overall it was mechanically and cosmetically in good shape, but it did require some attention. That included repairing some rust spots and replacing broken or worn parts. I did this all myself with help from RockAuto! Though some parts for the truck are available in the Netherlands, due to your great prices, shipping and service, I preferred to order everything from RockAuto! That included a water pump, power steering pump, belts, gaskets and many other smaller items. You help me to keep this beautiful monster on (and off) the road!

Kind Regards,
Tom in the Netherlands

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to give you the opportunity to have your car or truck possibly featured in one (or occasionally more) of our publications such as the monthly newsletter, collector magnets or RockAuto social media. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please email flamur@rockauto.com with your vehicle's history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

Through the early 1970s, what was a consistent difference between sister Dodge and Plymouth models such as the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda?

Answer: A. The Dodge version typically had a longer wheelbase and body than the Plymouth.
B. The highest output V8 engines were typically reserved for the Dodge version of the car. Six cylinder motors were only available in the Plymouth.
C. The rear window of the Dodge version was concave while the Plymouth window was at least slightly convex (as viewed from outside the car).

Back up to trivia question