Part Find Articles

FLYWHEELS

The flywheel of a motor vehicles engine usually lies within the bell housing of the gearbox. The flywheel is attached to the crankshaft and this is where all your engine power and torque of the motor is transferred through the gearbox, propeller shaft and differential, finally to the wheels of the vehicle. The clutch assembly is attached to the flywheel and together they rotate, spinning at tremendous speeds.

Each vehicles engine has a specific job for its application. For example a trucks would require bigger more robust clutchs and flywheel combinations, while racing cars would require lighter and smaller flywheel and clutch assemblies. The general rule of thumb is that the heavier the flywheel the more torque an engine can develop through its rev range and the lighter the flywheel the quicker and more efficiently an engine is allowed to build up speed, thus producing more power at higher RPM, allowing the engine to rev faster through the graph depicted by means of dynamometer testing print outs. These high revving engines ultimately produce less torque but more power which is translated into kilowatts at the higher end of the range.

Generally, to achieve a good balance of torque versus kilowatts, an engines stroke is the key in this department. The longer the stroke of an engine the more torque can be achieved and the shorter the stroke of an engine the faster the crankshaft will rotate resulting in more killowatts produced. An engine required to rotate quickly, designed to attain high RPM, would in essence require a lighter flywheel. Custom made flywheels are available at a fraction of the price of a new one from the dealerships or agents. Standard production flywheels can also can be skimmed down in weght for achieving faster, higher revving engine speeds. Modifying crankshaft counter weights is also another way of increasing RPM. By cutting down on counter weight or ‘knife edging’ the counter weights of a crank will allow the crank to spin faster. Knife edging a crankshaft will also enable the counterweights to glide through the oil / air turbulence mixture created by all the rapidly moving components within the engine also referred to as ‘windage’. When any of the above components are adjusted, end to end dynamic balancing is required. When considering all these ideas, drastic improvements can be achieved in the quest for power by modifying the basic components providing a balance is maintained between torque and RPM.

Whatever your application may require, always bear in mind that the manufacturers have calculated the best overall configurations for best performance and fuel economy.

For modifications and conversions and for CUSTOM made Flywheels, Engine to Gearbox Adaptor Plate and Bell Housing Conversions.

For more information and a Free quote CLICK HERE “Flywheels / Adaptors / Specialist Engineering” or Call Centre : 0861 7777 22

Gearbox and Diff

All gearboxes and differentials have various gear ratios. By changing a diffs crown wheel and pinion size, you would be changing your final drive, just as if you changed the size of your rear wheels diameters. The bigger the crown wheel and pinion or the more teeth they have, would shorten the ratio, and the less teeth on the gears would lengthen the final drive ratio. A diffs ratio can be determined by a simple calculation. Make a mark at TDC (top dead centre) on the propshaft and mark the position of one of the diffs sideshafts. For each 360 degree revolution made by the propshaft, count the turns made on the sideshaft in relation to the amount of degrees it moves. For example, if the sideshaft moves 3 full turns and the propshaft has rotated a full 360 degrees, then the ratio would be referred to as a 3,0:1 ratio. This determines the gear ratio of the differential.

‘Final drive’ is a term usually used to ascertain the final gearbox and diff combination ratio of a particular gear selected within the gearbox. Most 5 speed gearboxes have a 4^th gear that is usually a 1:1 ratio, meaning that the speed of the engines crankshaft or amount of rotations calculated by RPM (revolutions per minute), transferred through the gearboxes 4^th gear would in turn transfer the same amount of rotations through the propeller shaft to the diff. Each vehicles differential would have a standard ratio and when calculated together with a specific gearboxes gear selected, is what would determine the ‘final drive’ ratio.

All gearboxes and differentials have an assortment of ratios for various applications. If a vehicle needed more power or more top speed, then a diff gear change would be your easiest and most affordable way of altering the final drive of a vehicle. Wheel and tyre sizes are another way of changing the final drive in smaller increments in relation to the 360 degree full turn of a wheel.

Trucks and pulling vehicles for example require a shorter, more powerful final drive ratio while luxury cars require a longer and more fuel efficient ratio of gears. The ratios for Gearbox and Diff are endless and with a few simple calculations a good balance can be achieved.

If you are looking for a specific ratio more than often the entire diff can be purchased from your local auto scrap yard or used auto parts supplier at a fraction of the cost of a new unit from the vehicle manufacturers dealership. This may require some machining and fitment by a professional, but the best results can be achieved without burning a hole in your pocket.

For more information and a Free quote CLICK HERE “Gearboxes / Diff / Specialist Engineering” Call Centre : 0861 7777 22

4x4

Four Wheel Drive and 4 x 4 Sport Utlity Vehicles and off road trucks are becoming more and more popular with car and truck enthusiasts that are leaving the tar and heading for the great outdoors where driving conditions vary greatly and driving skills and vehicles are put to the test in often harsh and punishing conditions that the driver and vehicles must endure.

When entering into the realm of the off road trails one must take many factors into consideration such as ones ability to drive safely without mishaps or accidents as well as having the necessary skills for driving and being able to perform a variety of emergency breakdown repairs off the beaten track.

A 4 x 4 off-road driving course is a must for any enthusiast as it will give one more confidence as well as making the whole off road experience safer and more pleasurable.

Once you have attained the required level of driving competence it is of vital importance to have your vehicle serviced according to the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule. Also always check your vehicles fluid levels and as well as being aware of any recalls, bulletins and investigations for the make of your vehicle. It is also of great importance that you keep a fully comprehensive spare parts replacement kit with you as well as having important off road emergency equipment and accessories and tips on how best to make use of the aforementioned. Any 4x4 vehicle and used 4x4 dealer will give you the best advice on the above as well as for which 4x4 would be the most suitable for you.

The best 4x4 used spare parts are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) from reputable spare parts dealers which can be found throughout South Africa. Looking4spares FREE parts locator service connects you to reliable spare parts suppliers. Call 0861 7777 22 to submit your request by phone or go to the HOME page for further information as well as access to an auotomotive directory containing over 2000 automotive service providers.

The Part Find Safe Trade Account facility gives you protection when ordering your 4x4 spares from suppliers that are often far from where you need them, ensuring you receive the correct parts before you have paid a supplier in advance. Only when you receive the parts and have signed for the correct spares in good order, will payment be released to the supplier.

For more information and a Free quote CLICK HERE “4X4 Vehicles / Equipment / Spares” or Call Centre : 0861 7777 22

Scrapyards

The term Scrapyard is often misconstrued in todays society as it is associated with the disposal of the waste and detritus of our modern industrialized society. This is a misnomer and what appears unsightly to ones eye and unsavoury to the mind is an inaccurate portrayal due to negative publicity in the media, especially in film scenes.

What one fails to realize is the importance and benefit to society as a whole these scrapyards provide in terms of recycling perfectly good and useable spare car parts. Scrapyards do not profit from old and rusted car relics but mainly from recent late model accident damaged vehicles that have been written off due to the high cost of refurbishment. These spare car parts are often sold at a fraction of the price of new car parts sold through auto dealerships.

The purchase of perfectly good used auto spares from scrapyards is of great benefit to all as it contributes not only to the green recycling movement the world is currently undergoing but also has a huge impact in reducing global warming that is of dire consequence to the entire planet.

One has to take into consideration that when purchasing your used spares from a scrapyard or used auto parts supplier that they are the correct parts. Make sure that you buy OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for the best deal as these are preferable to buying new pirate spare parts that have suspect longevity and could even lead to the failure or breakage of other parts of your vehicle.

The most efficient method of obtaining used spare parts from Scrapyards and Used Spares suppliers is by utilizing the Looking 4 Spares Free Parts Locator Services which connects you to over 200 scrapyards and spare parts dealers with one telephone call or you can fill in the parts request form online on the website Home page.

For more information and a Free quote CLICK HERE “Scrapyards / Motor Spares / Used Auto Parts” or Call-Centre : 0861 7777 22

Insurance

Insuring your car is one of the most important decisions you will have to make. This is due to the wide range of factors one has to take into account when insuring ones vehicle. These factors comprise of the age, sex and often the driving history of the applicant as insurance companies take all the aforementioned into consideration to determine the risk factor and associated insurance premiums that will be levied.

When you purchase your new vehicle you must always make sure your car is insured before you leave the showroom floor. If the vehicle is financed you will have to take out insurance before taking delivery of your new or used vehicle.

Various factors are taken into account when insurance companies determine the premiums payable. The most important factors are the age of the insured and the type of insurance required. Under 25’s are considered high risk and business usage falls into the same category. It is very important to take out the correct insurance otherwise your claim will be repudiated if you are not insured for the correct usage as there is a major difference between using your vehicle simply to commute to work and back than continuous use for business purposes. This is due to the fact that business use is much more frequent and falls into the higher risk category.

When insuring you must also take into account accessories as well as regular driver status and alarms and tracking devices which will either increase or reduce your insurance premiums. Accessories that are not factory fitted such as mag wheels and tow bars and various other extras will have to be specified otherwise they will not be covered. This also applies to the contents left in the vehicle while unattended such as laptops, cd’s etc. Always familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions (including small print) of your insurance policy so as to know the extent of your coverage.

Insurance companies might stipulate a vehicle inspection before validating your policy. This will take place at one of the insurance companies approved inspection centres and make sure you keep a copy of the inspection certificate

The insurer will often specify approved towing companies in the case of a motor vehicle accident or breakdown of which you must strictly adhere to. Make sure that you get your towing and recovery receipt with the panelbeaters name and address. When involved in an accident get all the details of the parties involved and report it to a police station within 24 hours.

For more information and a Free quote CLICK HERE “Insurance Quotes / Panelbeaters / Towing” or Call Centre : 0861 7777 22

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