Jasper Engines & Transmissions has made an update to the reverse servo of Ford 4R55E/5R55E transmissions produced between 1995 and 2008.

This update centers around the installation of a support plate over the reverse servo cover of the 4R55E/5R55E transmissions found in the Ford Ranger Pickup, Explorer SUV and the Aerostar Minivan. Drivers noticed the loss of reverse in these vehicles. The problem centered around the reverse servo gasket of these transmissions.

The gasket lies underneath the reverse servo cover. “These OE gaskets handle in excess of 250 psi when in use,” says Craig Leuck, JASPER Transmission Division Manager. “We have experience that aftermarket gaskets can hold about 425 psi. But we also know these transmissions will see pressures in excess of that.”

“JASPER’s Reverse Servo support plate allows the servo to handle in excess of 600 psi, well above what the servo will see, to make sure these transmissions can maintain reverse,” added Leuck.

The remanufactured 4R55E/5R55E transmissions are covered by JASPER’s 3-year/ 100,000 mile nationwide transferable warranty. Full warranty disclosure is available on our website or upon request

For more information on these and other remanufactured products of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, please call 800-827-7455.

Friddle: Powered by a front-mounted Countach V-12 engine, what was Lamborghini’s answer to off-road indulgence?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: What type of vehicle did the Griswold’s drive in their quest for the perfect Christmas tree in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?

Last Week’s Friddle: Ford Taurus Station Wagon

Friddle: What type of vehicle did the Griswold’s drive in their quest for the perfect Christmas tree in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: What was the name of Porsche’s first SUV?

Last Week’s Friddle: Cayenne

Jasper Engines & Transmissions has made an update to the valve body of Ford 4R70W transmissions produced after 2001.

This update centers around the installation of a reinforcement plate where the forward clutch and direct clutch circuits meet. This allows extra clamping force between the separator plate and the gasket.

Initial problems would include the 4R70W slipping in third and fourth gear, which led to the burnout and failure of the direct clutch. “What we found was that a reinforcement plate was eliminated on valve bodies produced after 2001,” says Mark Balsmeyer, JASPER’s Crawford County Transmission Manager. “This caused a lack of clamping capability between the separator plate and gasket. The gasket would blow out, allow fluid to leak into another chamber and apply the direct clutch when it wasn’t supposed to be applied.”

JASPER drills and taps the valve body to accommodate the reinforcement plate, securing the separator plate to the gasket and eliminating the possibility of gasket failure in the affected area.

The remanufactured 4R70W transmission is covered by JASPER’s 3-year/100,000 mile nationwide transferable warranty. Full warranty disclosure is available on our website or upon request.

For more information on this and other remanufactured products of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, please call 800-827-7455.

Friddle: What was the name of Porsche’s first SUV?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: What mid-engined sports car was built by Pontiac from 1984 - 1988?

Last Week’s Friddle: Fiero

Jasper Engines & Transmissions prides itself on using quality parts and components. For the remanufacture of axles, American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) is a key supplier for authentic original equipment parts that include a variety of gears and axle components. In today’s business environment, selecting suppliers depends on a number of critical criteria. AAM provides solutions to many remanufacturers’ performance concerns, including: Cost, Durability, Quietness and Reliability. AAM utilizes advanced manufacturing techniques to exceed the normal performance parameters expected by OEMs.

One such process is a two-cut versus five-cut manufacturing process used for ring and pinion gear sets. Ring and pinion sets are often the cause for vibration, noise and durability problems in axles. A new technology developed by AAM can produce ring and pinion sets that are stronger, more durable and more quiet at a market-competitive cost.

A two-cut process uses no machining oil, compared to conventional gear cutting, making it more environmentally friendly. The two-cut process produces a better performing gear that reduces noise and vibration and increases durability. It improves the tightness of tolerances, therefore allowing fortighter backlash specifications.

AAM cuts ring gears and pinions in one operation, thereby reducing costs. In the manufacturing process, the two components are lapped together after hardening, producing a quiet gear set. Tooth height is measured from root of the gear to the crown. The two-cut tooth is the same height at the toe of the gear, as it is at the heel. This creates a natural “bias” condition, where the pattern shows up slanted when the pattern is rolled with a gear marking compound. This pattern will show more gear mating and less backlash than a conventional five-cut gear.

AAM gear sets are subject to precision shot peening to extend their life. In this process, spherical shot is bombarded to the root of the gear teeth, resulting in comprehensive stresses to combat fatigue loading. Shot peening increases the durability and reliability of the parts.

JASPER chooses to use AAM components for its axle remanufacturing, because AAM provides the same part quality found in the original vehicle products. JASPER and AAM are working hard to provide you, the installing technician, with high-quality products at market-competitive pricing.

The Indiana Department of Labor has announced the Merit Certification of Jasper Engines and Transmissions’ Crawford County facility in Indiana’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

VPP, Indiana’s Voluntary Protection Program, was established to recognize and promote safety and health management programs throughout the state. All companies, regardless of size or business, can participate in VPP - where management and employees work together to create and maintain a healthy working environment.

The Crawford County facility is the second of JASPER’s remanufacturing facilities to achieve VPP status, and is one of only 56 Indiana companies to reach this level. The Jasper, Indiana, remanufacturing facility earned its Merit Certification in 2008. “It is always gratifying to witness companies that proactively address and manage workplace safety and health,” commented Commissioner of Labor Lori Torres. “The Department of Labor is pleased to partner with and congratulate Jasper Engines and Transmissions for achieving VPP Merit status.”

“The JASPER Safety Committee and Associates have been working on this program, and its benchmarks, for four years,” says Jason Pieper, JASPER Safety Director. “We understand we still have a lot of work to do, but we have now created more awareness, more Associate involvement and made sure JASPER has Safety Systems in place.” The VPP Merit Certification ceremony was held September 24th at the Crawford County facility. The ceremony provided an opportunity for JASPER Associates, staff and management to showcase their exemplary status to state officials and local elected officials.

JASPER has been successful in reducing the number of OSHA recordable injuries and illnesses by 30% in a three-year span. “VPP sites are demonstrated leaders in the occupational safety and health arena,” added Torres. “The reduction of recordable injuries and illnesses at JASPER is proof positive in how successful implementation of a safety and health management system has an impact on not only injury and illness rates, but also on employee satisfaction and morale.”

“Management commitment and Associate involvement are the two main components of the VPP program,” added Pieper. “JASPER has both these elements, which has improved our safety program. JASPER’s goal is to have all of our remanufacturing sites in the VPP program”.

Friddle: What mid-engined sports car was built by Pontiac from 1984 - 1988?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: When international automotive competition was in its formative years, each country was assigned a color to signify race team nationality. What color were the cars driven by German teams?

Last Week’s Friddle: White

Friddle: When international automotive competition was in its formative years, each country was assigned a color to signify race team nationality. What color were the cars driven by German teams?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: Which automobile manufacturer was first in equipping a vehicle with a mechanical speedometer?

Last Week’s Friddle: Oldsmobile

Jasper Engines & Transmissions, the nation’s leader in remanufactured drivetrain products, has made the following updates to the Ford 6.0L diesel engine. These updates have been specifically targeted to increase the longevity of the engine and customer satisfaction.

Prior to the 2004 model year, the Ford 6.0L utilized a 90-millimeter water pump impeller. “Starting in 2004, the impeller was increased to 100 millimeters and the front cover was also changed to provide a larger cavity for the water pump,” says TJ Abrams of the JASPER Quality Division. “JASPER automatically updates pre-2004 models of the Ford 6.0L to provide the later front cover, and the larger water pump impeller, to improve engine cooling.”

Another JASPER update is to the water pump itself. “The factory water pump impeller is made from a composite material that can crack, cause engine overheating concerns and possible damage to the front cover rendering its replacement,” says Abrams. “JASPER installs a pump with a steel impeller to eliminate this failure and provide long life for the pump.”

Finally, many 6.0L owners have experienced head gasket failures and would prefer an alternative to the typical head bolt. “In response to this demand, JASPER offers a Ford 6.0L that incorporates ARP head studs for increased rigidity and greater customer confidence,” says Abrams. “This option is available on JASPER’s Complete and Running Complete versions of this engine.”

For more information on the remanufactured diesel engines of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, please call 800-827-7455.