Friddle: In what year was Jasper Engines & Transmissions founded?

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

Last Week’s Friddle:  What is the engine displacement of a 7.4L engine in cubic inches?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: 454

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Jeff Livingston - Bartlett, TN

The JASPER Rolling Showcase is off to another destination in 2011. It may visit somewhere near you.

Jasper Engines & Transmissions is on the road for 2011, celebrating nearly 70 years of business in the automotive remanufacturing industry.

As a way to better educate the public on our remanufacturing capabilities, JASPER has designed a mobile marketing rig, appropriately named the “JASPER Rolling Showcase.” The “Showcase” is making appearances at high-profile car shows and performance events now through October.

The JASPER Rolling Showcase is an 18-foot tandem axle box truck, towing a 28-foot stacker trailer. The showcase carries the JASPER-Powered Shelby Cobra kit car; the JASPER-Powered Vendetta V8 Custom Trike, product displays, and a 540 square foot canopy that attaches to the trailer during setup.

JASPER Associates are on-hand at each event, so visitors can walk up and ask about our remanufacturing processes. What began as Alvin C. Ruxer’s insight has evolved into a company with an ongoing commitment to quality and the largest mass remanufacturer in the world.

JASPER’s Mission Statement is simple: “Do It Right… And Have Fun!” For nearly 70 years, JASPER has been committed to being a leading force in the automotive industry.

Remaining 2011 JASPER Rolling Showcase Schedule

August 4-7 Louisville, KY (National Street Rod Association)

August 26-28 Evansville, IN (Frog Follies)

September 9-10 Pigeon Forge, TN (Shades of The Past)

Sept 30-Oct 2 Fort Worth, TX (Goodguys Lone Star Nationals)

Polk, Pennsylvania, is located about halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh. Ralph’s Garage, at 501 Main Street near Sandy Creek Road, has been a family-owned general automotive and truck repair facility since 1963.

Randy Myers is the owner. He started fixing cars when he was 14, and always had a love for the automobile. Randy’s family has always been big in racing, attending at least two NASCAR races each year and sponsoring his two boys racing crate late models in the local area.

Randy’s family took over the business in 1992 when business founder, and Randy’s father in-law, Ralph Aylesworth, decided to retire. Ralph passed away three months after his retirement. Today, the business retains the “Ralph’s Garage” name in remembrance of him.

Ralph’s Garage remains at the same location on the outskirts of Polk since its inception nearly 50 years ago. The original building was a one-bay repair shop and gas station dating back to 1928. In 1996, the present building, with five service bays, was built over the original shop. The business remained open while construction continued. When finished, the old building was torn down in sections inside of the new building.

Whether it’s a personal car or a fleet vehicle, Ralph’s has the ability to repair any vehicle on the road. “We’ll fix anything,” says Randy. The business also serves as a Pennsylvania State Inspection Station.

Ralph’s Garage strives to treat customers like a valued asset. This includes pickup and delivery of a customer’s vehicle, and taking the time to show customers the defective components found on their car. “Our scheduling is fairly fast, with a turnaround time of three to seven days,” says Randy. “But we’ll do our best to take care of any customer with an unforeseen breakdown, or emergency, that requires our services.”

Of the five employees at Ralph’s Garage, three are ASE-Certified in Heating and Air Conditioning. Three employees are certified in state inspection and one employee is certified in emissions inspection. Ralph’s will pay for their employees to further expand their automotive education, and encourages them to attend automotive education seminars, such as JASPER Technical Clinics, when they are scheduled for their area.

When it comes to using JASPER quality products, Ralph’s Garage has purchased remanufactured engines, transmissions, differentials, transfer cases, and the occasional marine engine, for the past 15 years. Randy likes the way JASPER stands behind the product with a nationwide warranty. “JASPER is a product I feel I can trust,” he added.

As for the future, Randy would like to expand his customer base, though he says his building is about as big as it can get. Still, Randy says he enjoys people, and some of his friends were initially customers of Ralph’s Garage. “I try to take care of the customer in the best possible way I can,” says Randy, “while still making a living for my family and my employees.”

Friddle: What is the engine displacement of a 7.4L engine in cubic inches?

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

Last Week’s Friddle:  The Aventador is the successor to which V-12 powered supercar?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Lamborghini (Murcielago)

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Glenn Reed

Zach Bawel - JASPER President/COO

Jasper Engines & Transmissions held an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Shareholders meeting July 7^th. It was the first such meeting held since the company announced its ESOP plan in March 2010.

“2010 was a phenomenal year,” Doug Bawel told Associates. “We hired 159 additional Associates and expanded our manufacturing capability by 12%. 2011 is poised to be even better.” Bawel thanked all Associates throughout the company for their efforts with respect to Safety, Quality, Productivity, Customer Service and Reduction of Waste.

“We have a lot to be proud of, but we cannot rest on our laurels,” said Bawel. “We have to take the training we have received, and the tools we’ve learned how to use, and apply them to our work each and every day in order to make JASPER bigger and better than ever.”

It was also announced that the Jasper Engines & Transmissions Board of Directors has reorganized by naming Zach Bawel as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Zach has been Executive Vice President of Sales since 1999, and has 24 years experience with the company.

“I am looking forward to the future growth and opportunities that JASPER has developed, both within the company, and through acquisitions that have helped JASPER diversify for the future,” stated Zach. “We will continue to look for opportunities that add value to our relationships by providing other products and services our customers need and want.”

Zach Bawel takes over as JASPER president from Doug Bawel, who was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a position recently held by 63-year JASPER Associate Gervase Schwenk from 1987 until his passing in 2010.

Friddle: The Aventador is the successor to which V-12 powered supercar?

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

Last Week’s Friddle:  Which auto-racing team first displayed racing stripes or “Le Mans stripes” on race cars?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Cunningham

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Angelo Nittoli - Brick, NJ

Jasper Engines & Transmissions incorporates a procedure to fill the Ford 5R55N/S/W transmissions with the correct level of fluid.

Though the 5R55N, S and W are all similar in design, they each differ in specific areas based on the needs of the transmission’s intended application. However, a common feature is the lack of a dipstick to check fluid levels. “Some common complaints from customers on these transmissions are generally caused by low fluid levels,” says Craig Leuck, JASPER Transmission Division Manager. “These complaints include gear slippage, ‘neutraling’ when fluid settles to one side of the pan while the vehicle is in a curve - losing forward motion, or general transmission failure.”

The 5R55N/S/W is intended to hold 12 quarts of transmission fluid. Inside the pan is a tube, which determines the level of fluid. As the pan is filled, the fluid level will reach the top of the tube, then drip down the tube and out of the pan. “This is the visual indication that the pan is full,” adds Leuck. “But at this point, the pan only holds approximately eight quarts.”

“The next step for the technician is to drive the vehicle until transmission fluid temperature reaches 180 degrees,” says Leuck. “This opens up the transmission cooling system; lowering the fluid level in the pan. The technician can then add the remaining four quarts to the transmission.”

JASPER attaches a bright orange sticker on the pan of each 5R55N/S/W. This will remind technicians the transmission holds 12 quarts of fluid. Also provided with the transmission is a Technical Bulletin explaining the procedure to properly fill the transmission.

Friddle: Which auto-racing team first displayed racing stripes or “Le Mans stripes” on race cars?

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

Last Week’s Friddle:  Which Japanese automaker builds the Lancer?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Mitsubishi

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Christopher Jasper - Perry, FL

Harrison, Arkansas, is the home of Mastertech Auto Repair. Situated halfway between Little Rock and Springfield, Missouri, Mastertech provides complete service and repair for domestic and import cars and light-duty trucks. The automotive career of Mastertech owner, John Sagers Sr., spans over 50 years, either repairing vehicles, teaching auto repair to college students or running his business. Prior to opening Mastertech, John, Sr. taught automotive technology at what is now known as the North Campus of North Arkansas College. “It was exciting to get a hold of a young man who had talent and determination, and give him the right training,” said John, Sr.

In May of 1999, at the urging of his son, John Sagers Jr., John Sr. opened Mastertech in a leased 3,500 square foot building on Highway 65 South in Harrison. Five years later, Mastertech moved to its present location at 3925 Duncan Drive. At 8,400 square feet, this shop is over twice the size of the original building, with 12 service bays and nine lifts.

John Sr. is very proud of his business, the appearance of his building and the service that is offered. But most important, he’s proud of his technicians. Three are ASE Certified Master Techs, one is ASE Certified in brakes, and his two service advisors are ASE Certified automobile service consultants. It was the certification that was the inspiration for the name of the business.

“We wanted a name that would promote a professional image, a master technician,” says John Sr. “Branding is very important in this business and we wanted a distinct name in order to promote our brand.”

Since 2006, Mastertech Auto has been an installer of JASPER remanufactured engines, transmissions and transfer cases. “Mastertech uses JASPER products because of their 3-year, 100,000 mile, warranty and no-hassle claims,” says John Sr. “Several of our customers have heard of JASPER’s reputation for a quality product.”

John Sr.’s approach to Mastertech has brought his business many honors within the community. He’s received an award as a Distinguished Leader in Small Business, and Mastertech has been voted “Best of The Best” the past two years by a local newspaper reader poll. “Our motto is ‘Repaired correctly, in a timely manner, at a fair price,’” added John Sr. “What the customer wants most is to get the car back promptly and when promised.”

Mastertech Auto Repair has recently branched out to include collision repair and towing. They also offer a free pickup service for their customers’ convenience. It’s part of John Sr.’s future plans to always try to bring more customers to Mastertech.

“People basically have three choices: buy a new car, fix an old one, or walk,” says John Sr. “In the present economy, people aren’t buying new cars, so maintenance is important. Quality car repair is recession resistant.”

Friddle: Which Japanese automaker builds the Lancer?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: What term does the automotive industry use to describe car doors that are hinged from the roof and open upwards?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: gull wing

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Steve Muensterman - Evansville, IN