RockAuto is happy to announce the addition of Draw-Tite trailer hitches and towing accessories to our catalog!

For nearly 75 years, Draw-Tite's focus has been providing quality hitches and receivers. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) ensures a perfect fit for your vehicle, every time. All-welded construction, corrosion resistant paint (e-coating), and fatigue stress testing are just a few ways Draw-Tite ensures a maximum strength trailer hitch that can withstand the elements and look good for years to come. All Draw-Tite hitches meet and exceed V-5 and SAE J684 standards, are inspected for quality and workmanship, and are backed by a Limited Lifetime warranty.

Find Draw-Tite Trailer Hitches for everything from the 2011 Toyota Camry to the 2015 Ford F-150 to the 2018 Mazda CX-5 under the "Accessories" category for your specific vehicle in the RockAuto.com catalog. Other towing components like Trailer Hitch Ball Mounts, Trailer Hitch Balls, and Trailer Brake Controllers are under the "Accessories" category of the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab.

Ford-Rangers.com is one of the newest Ranger forums on the internet focusing on helping other Ranger and RBV (Ranger Based Vehicle) owners with repairs, modifications and drivability issues. Do not limit yourself to simply driving your Ranger. Ford-rangers.com can help you with interior mods, LEDs, drivetrain and differential repair and replacement. Let them help you with planting that 5.0 you have dreamed about under the hood!

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 marketing@rockauto.com.

Many years ago, my nephew had a 1970 Dodge Challenger with Chrysler’s innovative “Slant Six” engine. He ruined the motor by badly overheating it. My brother managed to find a freshly rebuilt engine at a junk yard. The backstory was that someone had traded it in on a V-8 because it did not have enough power. All went well during the installation of the rebuilt motor, and we had it running in no time. The trouble started when we tried to drive it up on ramps to check for leaks. It did not have enough power to get itself up on the ramps. We consulted with a friend who was a really good backyard mechanic. He started checking everything. Then he checked the compression which was uniformly low on all cylinders.

Scratching his head, he said, “We’ve got to pull the cylinder head and see what’s going on.” We removed the head and everything looked perfect, right down to the fresh hone marks on the cylinders. We studied it for a good half hour when suddenly I noticed something. None of the pistons were at top dead center (TDC)! Curious, we turned the engine over by hand while observing piston travel. TDC was nowhere near the top of the cylinders. But why?

Fortunately, our friend was a walking Chilton’s Manual. He knew the Slant Six was offered in three different sizes, all with the same bore. The 198 and 225 CID versions used the same block with different crankshafts and rod lengths. Someone had put the wrong crankshaft in it! Luckily the crank from the overheated engine was still useable. With a new set of gaskets and bearings, the little engine came back to life.

Perhaps the moral of the story is do not assume the last person did the job right.

Larry in Arizona

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 RockAuto 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!

The 2020 Corvette has a "squircle" shaped steering wheel so the gauges are easier to see, it is easier to get in and out of the drivers seat and probably for other reasons we are not aware of. What other vehicle has a squircle steering wheel?

A. 1995 Alfa Romeo 164
B. 1974 Cadillac Eldorado
C. 1960 Plymouth Fury
D. all the above

Answer below

I always enjoy seeing a hot rod build that includes a long list of OE-design parts from wildly different years, makes and models. I am impressed by the ingenuity of the builder. I also wonder if the engineers at the original car manufacturer ever guessed how popular their part or system would turn out to be. There might now be more Ford Mustang II front suspensions in hot rods than there are in roadworthy, 1974-1978 Mustang II cars.

Fuel Filter / Fuel Injection Pressure Regulator

It is especially fun to discover a part from a late-model vehicle that offers the well-designed simplicity that hot rodders crave. One such part is the Fuel Filter / Fuel Injection Pressure Regulator from the 1999-2004 Chevrolet Corvette. Swapping a modern multi-port fuel injected engine into an older car typically means you need an electric fuel pump, fuel pressure control and a way to return excess gasoline to the fuel tank. The Corvette design builds the fuel filter, pressure regulator (~55 PSI) and nipples for the fuel tank, engine and return lines into one compact unit that you install in a convenient location.

This OE-design part is especially great for hot rodders because it sounds nice to say things like, "I am running a C5 Vette fuel filter and pressure regulator!" Find other fuel system related parts you may need for an engine swap under the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab; including lengths of Fuel Line / Hose, Fuel Hose / Line Connector - Straight, and an electric Fuel Pump.

Always consult the proper authorities, experts, publications, your spouse, etc. before attempting a major project like an engine swap.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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

This is my 2019 DF Goblin by DF Kit Car. The car started life as a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The Goblin is powered by the Cobalt's 2.2L Ecotec engine and 5 speed transmission. It uses most of the front suspension from the Cobalt that is moved to the rear of the Goblin. It also uses the ECM and a thinned electrical system out of the donor Chevrolet. All of the build was done by me. The paint work was done by my brother and me.

I have used the following parts for the build of my Goblin: Brake Pads, Rotors, numerous Gaskets, Clutch Kit, Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, Cylinder Head Gasket, Cylinder Head Bolts, Ignition Coils and various sensors.

Ron in Pennsylvania (RockAuto customer for over nine years)

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, RockAuto social media or other commercial use. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please email flamur@RockAuto.com with the vehicle history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

The 2020 Corvette has a "squircle" shaped steering wheel so the gauges are easier to see, it is easier to get in and out of the drivers seat and probably for other reasons we are not aware of. What other vehicle has a squircle steering wheel?

A. 1995 Alfa Romeo 164
B. 1974 Cadillac Eldorado
Answer C. 1960 Plymouth Fury (see the steering wheel in this Hemmings article)
D. all the above

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