Powell’s Service Center is a general auto repair facility located at the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Street in La Center, Kentucky. Their services also include engine and transmission installation, tires and exhaust.

The owner, Rex Powell, describes himself as a hometown man. Rex has long been known for supporting area sports and community events. He’s also known for problem solving on vehicles, whether using the lab scope, scanner or just plain common sense.

Rex started his career in 1982 doing minor repair work out of his house. He was soon doing repairs for other people and didn’t have the space to work on them. So Rex started his service center in August of that year.

Powell’s Service Center began life as a two-bay service center when it opened in 1982. A 50 by 60 foot, three bay addition was constructed in 1990 to accommodate the growing workload. Today, the shop boasts 2,000 square feet of workspace and five service bays. A smaller service bay was later renovated into a customer’s waiting lounge like no other. “Every Tuesday, we cook breakfast for anyone who comes,” says Rex. “There’s free popcorn and coffee, a slush machine, a fireplace and a big screen TV for customers to enjoy.”

Currently, there are two technicians employed at Powell’s Service Center. Both are ASE-Certified. Rex encourages his employees to further their automotive education. His business will pay for the classes if the information is beneficial to their work.

Since 1998, Powell’s Service Center has been an installer of JASPER remanufactured engines, transmissions and the occasional diesel or differential.

“We use JASPER because they have proven themselves to be the best,” says Rex. “JASPER takes care of warranty issues and provides good service. We have become partners.”

The business philosophy is a simple one at Powell’s Service Center: “We fix cars and trucks, while providing peace of mind to the customer,” says Rex.

As for the future, Rex plans to see Powell’s Service Center continue on after his retirement with the same reputation that he has started.

Friddle: In what year did Chrysler debut the third-generation
Dodge Challenger?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: Which automaker offered, the Highway Hi Fi, an in-car
record player?  

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Chrysler

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Jan Barrow - Taswell, IN

Jasper Engines & Transmissions reminds installers to retain the oil pump intermediate drive from their Ford 4.0L OHC V6. This part is not supplied with a JASPER remanufactured engine.

“There have been occasions where JASPER received a core and found the oil pump intermediate drive left in the block,” says Randy Bauer, JASPER Gas Division Manager. “It is vital that the part be swapped over from the core engine, or replaced with a new one, or else the replacement engine will immediately fail due to lack of oil pressure.”

The Ford 4.0L OHC V6 oil pump is driven by the intermediate drive through a hex-shaped shaft coming from the pump located in the back valley of the engine. The intermediate drive is turned by a slant-cut gear that fits into a gear on the jackshaft which is turned by a timing chain.

There also have been instances where the intermediate shaft cannot easily be removed from the core. “The slant-cut gear of the intermediate shaft can hang on the jackshaft gear,” says Bauer. “The rotating assembly may have to be moved just enough to allow slack in-between the two gears, and easier removal of the intermediate shaft.”

For more information on the remanufactured gas engines of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, please call 1-800-827-7455.

Friddle: Which automaker offered, the Highway Hi Fi, an in-car
record player? 

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

Last Week’s Friddle: Which German automaker manufactures the Phaeton,
a luxury sedan available with an optional (W12) twelve cylinder engine?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Volkswagen

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Ken Kirkland - Auburn, GA

These actuator assemblies fit the following vehicles:

• 2002-2009 Chevy Trailblazer
• 2002-2008 GMC Envoy
• 2002-2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
• 2004-2007 Buick Rainier
• 2003-2007 Isuzu Ascender

“These assemblies cannot be purchased new from the dealership, only the parts can be purchased separately,” says Wayne Mehringer, JASPER Differential Division Manager.

The 4WD actuator assembly includes a new electric shift motor installed on the housing, two side gears that spline into the left and right axle shafts, along with a shift fork and collar that shifts the vehicle into, and out of, four-wheel drive. The AWD actuator has a metal plate covering the electric shift motor mount. Internally, the assembly uses a coupler gear which connects both left and right axle shafts together, making the vehicle all-wheel drive.

JASPER uses a synthetic grease in their remanufactured actuators in place of the standard lithium-style complex grease. “The synthetic grease has better lubricant flow, especially in cold conditions,” says Mehringer.

In addition, one major complaint from vehicle owners is a squealing, or squalling, noise coming from the actuator. Mehringer says the problem occurs when dry seals rub against the axle shaft. “These seals, if not pre-lubricated, will cause that condition when the shaft is turning. Here at JASPER, all axle shaft seals are pre-lubricated during assembly.”

For more information on the remanufactured rear axle assemblies and differentials of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, please call 1-800-827-7455.

Friddle: Which German automaker manufactures the Phaeton,
a luxury sedan available with an optional (W12) twelve cylinder engine?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: Some vehicles utilize (ESC) to detect and minimize
skidding. What does the acronym (ESC) stand for?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Electronic Stability Control

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Jan Barrow - Taswell, IN

Hmmm… Can anyone tell me what kind of diesel we have here on this dyno? Every JASPER running complete diesel engine is live-run dynamometer tested to assure trouble-free performance. Engines are tested under varying loads to simulate in-the-vehicle operation. After the final inspection, it will be off to the paint booth!

Friddle: Some vehicles utilize (ESC) to detect and minimize skidding.                                 What does the acronym (ESC) stand for?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: What is the name of Cadillac’s full-size luxury SUV?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Escalade

Last Week’s Friddle Contest Winner: Terry Stewart - San Leandro, CA