RockAuto is excited to announce the addition of INA Engine (Valve Train...), Electrical (Alternator...), Cooling System (Water Pump...) and Belt Drive (Tensioner...) parts to our catalog.

INA, founded in 1946 in Germany, is part of the Schaeffler Group (includes LuK clutches, FAG bearings and more). INA's extensive manufacturing operations in South Carolina first opened in 1964. Today, almost every passenger vehicle contains original equipment INA parts. INA parts meet the highest quality assurance standards, and all its plants comply with strict European guidelines for environmental protection (EMAS).

RockAuto's most extensive selection of INA parts covers timing systems and front end auxiliary drives (Oil Pump Chain...). INA makes both individual parts (Timing Chain, Timing Belt Tensioner...) and complete Timing Sets and kits that include everything you need for a successful repair, including water pumps for some applications.

You can find INA parts for your specific car or truck in a wide range of categories in the RockAuto.com catalog, from "Belt Drive" to "Cooling System" to "Electrical" to “Engine”, all at the reliably low prices you expect from RockAuto.com.

GMTNation.com was started in 2011 by a group of GMT360/370 platform (TrailBlazer, Envoy, Bravada, Rainier, Ascender and 9-7x) enthusiasts. They wanted the forums to evolve into a place for all GM Trucks, since they had other GMTs as well. It is a true community of real enthusiasts that help each other with maintaining, repairing and modifying their trucks. Everyone on the site strives to keep it family friendly so that it is a place to just hang out and discuss topics that they have in common.

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.

Back in the 70s, I drove all over New Mexico for work in a 1966 Ford Galaxy. While driving, I found that the car was less and less able to climb the hills. As I arrived home one Friday night after a long and tiring week, I determined a compression check would be a good idea. I discovered some cylinders with almost no compression so I decided to do a valve job. I had never done one before, but since I had to be back on the road Sunday night, I started disassembling the engine.

Around midnight, I got down to removing the cylinder heads...but I just could not get them off the block. I tried everything including (I hate to admit) putting a bumper jack between them to pry them loose. After a frustrating time and extremely exhausted, I decided to stop and get some sleep.

Somewhat rested the next morning, I went into the garage and stood there for a while looking at the engine. And with a fresh pair of eyes and clearer head I noticed something...the bottom head bolts...that I had failed to remove. Obviously the heads easily came off the block without several bolts securing them. The repair went smoothly after that and the old Ford never ran better. The moral to the story--when confronted with a problem sometimes it is better to stop, stand back, take a deep breath, study the situation and then proceed before damaging something.

Larry in Oregon

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 "Iron Duke" 2.5L four cylinder was installed in countless GM, AMC and Postal Service (LLV) vehicles from the mid '70s to the mid '90s. What part on the The Iron Duke is made of thermoset plastic composite material (similar to what circuit boards are made of) instead of conventional metal?

A. Camshaft Gear
B. Intake Manifold
C. Valve Cover
D. All the above

Answer below

Engines built during the previous century almost universally used inorganic acid technology (IAT) coolant/antifreeze. Most newer vehicles use either longer lasting organic-acid inhibitor (OAT) coolant or hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) coolant that offers both the corrosion resistance of IAT and the long life of OAT. To reduce gunk formation and maximize coolant life, it is best to not mix IAT, OAT and/or HOAT coolants together.

IAT, OAT and HOAT coolants are all usually ethylene glycol-based, but they contain different additives. Coolant manufacturers' bottle labeling can be confusing if it includes a "Does NOT contain..." statement that could make it appear a traditional IAT coolant additive is inherently bad rather than just not the right additive (or quantity of additive) for that particular OAT or HOAT coolant. Reading "Does NOT contain..." could actually mean you should find a different coolant that "Does contain..." for your particular engine.

Coolant that does not contain...

Here are the benefits and/or drawbacks for some of the most common coolant additives mentioned on the coolant/antifreeze bottle labels:

Amine: Amine was used to help prevent ferrous (iron) corrosion. In the '70s, it was found to react with nitrite, forming a carcinogenic substance, nitrosamine. Amine is no longer used in automotive coolant and "Does NOT contain Amine" is true even when unsaid.

Borate: Borates have long been used to reduce acidity (pH) in IAT coolants. It is not compatible with some OAT and HOAT coolants that must maintain a different pH.

Nitrite: Nitrite is used in coolant for heavy duty diesel and other engines to help prevent corrosion and pitting caused by cavitation (foaming bubbles). Nitrites oxidize aluminum and are generally not compatible with aluminum engines and cooling systems. Some coolants include both nitrites and additional additives that protect aluminum from oxidation.

Phosphate: Phosphate is used to prevent corrosion in many IAT coolants. It coats metal preventing corrosion, but that coating can eventually flake off or form layers of scale, clogging the cooling system passages. Therefore, IAT coolants must typically be changed more frequently. Scale formation is a bigger problem if hard-water rather than distilled water is mixed with the coolant. Europe has lots of hard-water (and apparently little distilled water) so phosphate containing coolants are not used in most European brand vehicles. On the other hand, Asian vehicle manufacturers actually prefer coolant with phosphates and HOAT coolants designed for Asian brand vehicles usually include some phosphate.

Silicate: Silicate is used in IAT coolants for corrosion protection, especially for aluminum. Asian vehicle manufacturers decided silicates are bad for water pump seals and reduce heat transfer. Therefore, coolants for most newer Asian brand vehicles do not contain silicates. On the other hand, European vehicle manufacturers think silicates are great for protecting aluminum from corrosion and HOAT coolants for European brand vehicles usually include silicates.

So, in summary, HOAT coolants may contain nitrate, phosphate and/or silicate depending on what engines the coolant was designed for (Asian brand engines get phosphate, European brand engines get silicate). OAT coolants, such as Dex-Cool for GM vehicles, and coolants claiming they work in "all makes, all models, all colors" might not use any of the above additives, but instead rely on acid salt molecule coating and/or proprietary additives to prevent corrosion.

Simply look under "Cooling System" in the RockAuto.com catalog to find the correct Coolant/Antifreeze for your specific vehicle or look under the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab and "Cooling System" to see all the Coolant/Antifreeze.

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 1979 Jeep CJ5. The Jeep lived the first part of its life at the Ropes Gold Mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Most of its body was re-rebuilt/reinforced some time in the past with 1/4 inch steel due to the harsh mine conditions (there were two others built like this). When I got the CJ, it was falling apart and did not have an engine or transmission. I took it home and got to work.

My dad and I rebuilt it from the frame up doing all the work ourselves except for the paint. After a year of almost daily wrenching, it was finally road ready. The Jeep has an AMC 304 V8 backed by a 3 speed manual transmission. Everything was rebuilt, from the axles to brakes and everything up from there. We also fabricated a six point roll cage and installed bucket seats with four point harnesses.

RockAuto was my go-to. I ordered all the parts I needed from RockAuto that were available and I could not have been happier! I love driving it as much as possible. With only a bikini top for it, I try and get it out every nice day in the summer and fall. I always have people asking me about my Jeep wherever I stop. I can definitely say this is the one vehicle that will always be in my possession.

Dawson in Wisconsin (RockAuto customer for over three 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 "Iron Duke" 2.5L four cylinder was installed in countless GM, AMC and Postal Service (LLV) vehicles from the mid '70s to the mid '90s. What part on the The Iron Duke is made of thermoset plastic composite material (similar to what circuit boards are made of) instead of conventional metal?

Answer: A. Camshaft Gear (The Iron Duke does not have a timing chain or belt. A plastic camshaft gear with a steel bushing in its center meshes directly with a steel gear on the crankshaft. The engine is a non-interference engine and simply stops running when the plastic gear teeth eventually break off.)
B. Intake Manifold
C. Valve Cover
D. All the above

Iron Duke Camshaft and Crankshaft Gears

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