Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: What is the historical significance of the earliest known motor vehicle to feature a mounted rear-view mirror?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Ray Harroun’s Marmon “Wasp” which won the inaugural Indy 500

Jasper Engines & Transmissions has recognized a high-wear item on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler overdrive transmission cases.  And ironically enough, it’s the hole for the dipstick tube.

“When cores come in for remanufacturing, JASPER has found RWD Chrysler overdrive transmission cases with an enlarged hole for the dipstick tube,” says Craig Leuck, JASPER Transmission Division Manager.  “The hole becomes enlarged over time because the dipstick tube will move around inside the case.”

JASPER will use a special reaming tool to oversize the diameter of the dipstick tube hole.  A brass bushing is then driven into the case and held in place with sealant (see Figure 1).  “This update is made before the assembled transmission undergoes submersion testing in water, and checked for leaks,” added Leuck.

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Can you name BMW’s one and only mid-engine designed supercar?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: M1

Our crew left Indiana this past Monday for the 20th Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City in scenic Ocean City, Maryland, which is scheduled May 20-23. Jasper Engines and Transmissions is one of ten new sponsors appearing in this year’s event. Visitors can expect to see: up to 6,000 cars, live on-stage DJ’s, daily on-stage trophy awards, automotive and pop culture trivia contests, special give-aways and door prizes.

Activities will begin Thursday morning, May 20th, with the Cruisin’ Ocean City Parade on Ocean City’s Beachside Boardwalk. Special guest Henry Winkler, who played Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli on the television sitcom Happy Days, will be available for photo and autograph opportunities during the event. Check out the Motown sound of The Four Tops, as they are to perform live in concert on Friday night at the Ocean City Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Convention Center Box Office. Cruisin’ Ocean City 2010 will be featured on two half-hour television segments, which will air Sunday June 6th at 11AM, with a re-air on Monday June 7th at 4PM and Sunday August 15th at 11AM, with a re-air Monday August 16th at 4PM on FOX Sports Net.

Visit our JASPER exhibit for the latest product literature and pricing, informative videos and network video game racing. We will also have a variety of new performance engine parts and accessories available for sale. Our experienced and knowledgeable sales staff will be on hand to answer your drivetrain component questions. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

For more information about this event, click on the following link: www.specialeventsponsorships.com

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Who is Mercedes of the German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: The incorporation of the name Mercedes in the new brand name honored the most important model series of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft automobiles, the Mercedes series, which were designed and built by Wilhelm Maybach.  They derived their name from a 1900 engine named after the daughter of Emil Jellinek.  Jellinek became one of DMG’s directors in 1900 and ordered a small number of race cars, which were built to his specifications by Maybach.  Jellinek stipulated that the engine be named Daimler-Mercedes, and made the new automobile famous through motorsports.  That race car later became known as the Mercedes 35 hp, the first of the series of production models bearing the name, Mercedes.

I would like to share a recent news release about the updated turbine half that we at JASPER provide on the GM 4L80E converter.  This is just another example of how JASPER remanufactured products can offer better quality and performance, giving you longer vehicle life.

The update centers around a common problem where the fins pull out of the turbine. “Every one of the fins are bent over and staked to the inside, and the outside, of the 4L80E turbine itself,” says Craig Leuck, JASPER Transmission Division Manager. “Over time, and vehicle use, the fins will get loose, pull themselves out of the turbine, and make metal to metal contact with the pump half of the converter.”

JASPER brazes 100% of the turbine fins with a paste and a heat treating process. “Every one of the fins is brazed on the inside, and the outside, of the converter,” added Leuck. “This ensures the fins stay in place, and there’s no metal to metal contact.”

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: After Daewoo went bankrupt in 1999, GM, Suzuki and SAIC formed GM Daewoo, which produces vehicles for various other automobile brands around the world.  What  badge engineered Chevrolet subcompact is produced by GM Daewoo?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Aveo

Associate Sam Schwenk took a pie in the eye at high noon in the company’s parking lot for JASPER’s Relay for Life Team on April 16th.  Twelve Associates, comprised of mostly managers, volunteered as contestants in the second annual Pie in the Eye fundraiser.  JASPER Associates paid a quarter per vote to see their favorite participant have a pie thrown at them.  Sam Schwenk, a cancer survivor himself, received the most votes and raised over $600 himself, bringing the total to $1400.  JASPER and its Associates are continuously involved in raising money for various charities, such as March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, area food banks and many others.  Do you or your company have any creative fundraising stories that you would like to share?