Always Ask For the ADD-ON Sale

I was talking about selling parts with a friend of mine the other day and we both agreed that one of the best ways to improve your bottom line was to let the customer know the other items he can get from you to complete the install. It's very hard to get countermen to "lean" on a customer a little bit, but if it's not done you can end up with an irate buyer.

Another Engine Building Tip

I really didn't start this blog as a "how to" guide on engine building. Over the years I have found that each engine builder has his own set of guidelines that he follows and he is usually NOT receptive to anything "new" or different. As a parts man, the worst thing I can do is get an engine builder to try something new, because if the engine fails for any reason it will be because he tried that new item; whether it was involved or not!

Today I received an email asking about head gasket thickness to change effective compression ratio. NetGaskets has head gaskets available in more sizes than anybody and at reasonable prices.
If you need a thicker gasket to reduce your CR a small amount or a thinner one to make it higher NetGaskets is the place to go!

Determine your compression ratio or see how changing the gasket thickness will affect your CR
Send a comment if you liked this post!

And how do YOU file fit rings?

I was talking to my friend Ray Akerly, the ring guru and namesake of Akerly & Childs Rings, about some of our experiences over the years. I was telling Ray about the first engine I built. I had been selling high performance add-ons for a few years and finally had an opportunity to build an engine when the 260 in my 63.5 Falcon Futura Sprint took a crap. I was getting water in the oil, as I explained to my wife, and I NEEDED to replace the engine.

Car Club Hosting Car Show

Last week I went to the eye doctor for my annual check up and he said," Dave, it's time to upgrade those glasses."
I looked over some of the frames he had on display with prices ranging from $300.00 and up and decided I would "shop around," before making a choice.
While I was in BJ's, picking up my monthly supply of paper towels, I stopped by the optical department to look over the frames they had available and there is where I met Norman Goodman. Norm seemed like the typical optician until I mentioned that I was in the automotive high performance business and then his eyes came alive as we spoke about his current Corvette. Norm is in a car club and they are having a car show on October 30th. Norm would like all you car enthusiasts to show up and have a good time so I included a copy of the flyer with this post.

If you go be sure to look Norm up and tell him Big Dave sent you!
Maroone Chevrolet Halloween Car Show
Let me know if you are going! I expect to be there with Bill Devine and his turbocharged Corvette.

Talking About Holley Carbs

I was working with one of the Holley techs at the NHRA Sports Nationals years ago when it was still being held at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky. We were offering free tech advice and a quick carburetor "go thru" for racers who were having carb problems.
The third guy of the morning brought up his 800 cfm double pumper and drawled, "she just won't idle at a steady rpm."

Selling Holley Carburetors

Over the years I have sold thousands of Holley Carburetors. Inevitably some would be returned as "alleged" defectives. Usually this meant that the customer didn't know how to properly install the thing. I got used to explaining the proper installation procedure every time I received the call.
need racing and tuning tips?  CLICK HERE
"Did you check for vaccuum leaks?"
That eliminated about 40% of the problems.
"Did you set the fuel bowl level?"
That eliminated another 40%.
"Did you install a new in-line fuel filter?"
That eliminated most of the rest.
But on one particularly hot summer day I received a call about an "alleged" defective carburetor that perplexed me for a few seconds until I realized the significance of the callers question.

Racers: Are you always looking for that little edge?

I stumbled across a little website that has a ton of info available for racers. There are a bunch of technical items including Air Flow, Reading Spark Plugs, Engine Building, Head Porting and Cheating. There is plenty of information on Getting and Maintaining Sponsors and Sponsorship Programs. And there are all sorts of Driving Tips. Things that will make you a better driver, better owner and better builder.
I think we all are looking for any tips that will give us a little edge and this information might be just what you need.
You can CLICK HERE to get it!
Good Luck and Happy Motoring!
Dave

as always, please send your comments.

Circa 1980 ish.
When he came into the store he looked normal. But looks can be deceiving. He was young, maybe 17, and he wanted his car to have a little more sound. Ford Maverick six cylinder.
"What you need," I said, "is a Thrush Muffler! It'll make that engine really sing!"

He bought it and he was another satisfied customer.
One week later he returned. I could see the outline of our sales slip in his white shirt pocket.
"Excuse me, sir" He stammered, "I don't know if you remember me?"
But I did.

Hastings Rings Offers Napier 2nd Rings

Hastings Rings now offers Napier hook-design 2nd rings made of premium ductile iron, just like the top rings, making them stronger, more durable with better scraping ability, especially for high horsepower applications including supercharged engines.
Get yours from ProPower Performance Parts or ModMax Racing
954-491-6988

Do you know someone who wakes up in a new world everyday?

I get an email or phone call every once in awhile that defies description.
"Propower, can I help you?" I answered.
He said "This might seem like a stupid question...(usually when I hear that it is followed by a stupid question) ....I just got a set of piston rings...and I was kinda checkin' 'em out while I was eatin' breakfast....and I kinda got some egg on the top ring....will it hurt the performance?"

Starting today August 26th 2010

Well,
Today is the day! I've been putting this off long enough and I've finally decided that I can't wait any longer. So here goes......

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Dave, "Big Dave." I got that nickname about 40 years ago and like good glue it just sticks. I know a lot of people in the high performance industry and they only know  me as "Big Dave."

I've had a long career selling High Performance parts and accessories. Started out working in a retail auto parts store that had a few high performance items but mostly auto parts. I was just a kid and didn't know the difference between a muffler and a spark plug. But I learned. The owner liked my "attitude" and promoted me to staore manager and that's when I got my first glimpse of racing parts. I loved talking to the customers about Hurst shifters, Offenhauser manifolds and Carter AFB (D-series) carbs. I loved it more when they plunked down their cash and asked me to order a Crane cam or Mallory distributor. You older guys out there know what I mean. Back in the days when finding a place that could talk about high performance parts was rare.