Jasper Engines and Transmissions implemented a six-month fitness plan at its Jasper, IN facility and awarded more than $8,000 to Associates who reached their goals.

Of the 210 JASPER Associates who participated in the inaugural Fitness Experts program, 80% completed the program successfully, with over 40% achieving their individual fitness goals.  The results from the six-month trial period were phenomenal.  Participants successfully lost weight, reduced cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.  Some Associates improved their health to a level in which they were able to discontinue medications.

JASPER ultimately benefits from the program by saving money on reduced future health care costs. Due to its success and popularity, the Fitness Experts program is now offered to all JASPER locations.

It’s our third and final day here at the 11th Annual Dupont Syracuse Nationals.  The sky is clear with a breeze out of the northwest - perfect weather for a car show.  There are over 7,000 cars at this year’s event with activities including: tech seminars, JEEP’s Rocks & Road Tour (driving course), a burnout and flamethrower show and musical performances, to name a few.

Dick and Carol Fracasse displayed their ‘68 Ford Mustang Fastback next to our ‘66 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray the first two days of the event.  The Fracasse’s chose JASPER to remanufacture their 347 Stroker engine and by the stories we’ve heard, its performance exceeds their expectations.  We had a great time the past couple of days visiting with people from all around the country and Canada.  If you’re in the area you should really stop in for a visit.

Question for comments:  Corvette or Mustang, which would you prefer to see at our display?

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

Last Week’s Friddle: On this day in 1992, Chevrolet produced its one-millionth unit of what model?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Corvette

Do you own a 2007-2009 Dodge/Chrysler with transmission problems? If so, we now offer the Chrysler 62TE transmission.  The 62TE can be found in the following vehicles: Pacifica, Sebring, Town & Country, Avenger, Grand Caravan and Journey. 

Through research and development, JASPER offers solutions to correct original design failures and with this transmission, it is no different.  The OEM designed metal sealing rings on the 62TE pump are replaced with solid Teflon rings to eliminate pump cross leaks.  Second and forth gear loss is also a common concern with this transmission.  Therefore, JASPER replaces every 2-4 clutch retaining snap ring with one of a heavier design, which prevents flexing and possible blowout.  Last but not least, every 62TE will receive a new cooler bypass valve to eliminate any chance of cooler system contamination or failure.

The 62TE is covered by JASPER’s 3-Year/100,000 mile nationwide transferable parts and labor warranty.

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

Last Week’s Friddle: In what year did the Japanese company Tsukuba Mechanical Engineering build the first autonomous, driverless, vehicle?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: 1955

After an adventurous 450+ mile motorcycle ride, Factory Sales Representative Ron Klemm and his Pittsburgh Branch customers stepped off of their bikes for a factory tour last Friday. Harley Davidsons, Hondas, Yamahas and even a lone Buell grazed the parking lot on that humid summer morning. Guests were given a guided tour of all remanufacturing processes at our air-conditioned Crawford County and Jasper facilities. They participated in a scenic Poker Run with JASPER Associates and finished the day with a cookout at the JASPER go-kart track. Here at JASPER, we know how to “Do It Right and Have Fun!”

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

Last Week’s Friddle: In 2010, Dodge hired what actor to do the voice-over in their Ram Heavy Duty Truck commercial Truck of the Blank 60?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Sam Elliott

Jasper Engines & Transmissions offers five diagnostic clinics scheduled to be held in a number of cities throughout the nation: Strategies for Gas Engine Diagnostics, Strategies for Transmission Diagnostics and Strategies for Diesel Diagnostics.  Advanced Diagnostics and Allison Transmission clinics have also been added to the schedule.

The Strategies for Gas Engine Diagnostics clinic offers hands-on training using a live running vehicle.  This is not a basic clinic.  You will be applying fast, sure, state-of-the-art methods to pinpoint problems before they become a failure.  This clinic is designed for shops that want to reduce diagnostic time and that want the latest time saving tips. The clinic will provide quick strategies to avoid failures and techniques to verify bad components with basic tools.

Like the Gas Engine Diagnostics clinic, the Strategies for Transmission Diagnostics program offers hands-on training using a live running vehicle.  This clinic is designed for shops that install automatic transmissions, shops that want to reduce diagnostic time and shops that want the latest time-saving tips.  Topics covered in the Transmission clinic include:

• Overview of electronic control systems
• Operating strategies for Ford, GM and Chrysler
• Using a scan tool and Tran-X for fast solutions

The Strategies for Diesel Diagnostics, like the other clinics, is focused on diagnostic solutions.  The program will provide facts and solutions for issues that are causing repeat or premature failures.  While not a hands-on clinic, the program will cover such areas as:

• An overview of diesel engines
• Operating strategies for Ford, GM and Chrysler
• Trouble shooting techniques
Those that will want to attend this clinic include shops that currently install gas engines and want to move into diesel installations, those that want to reduce diagnostic time and those that want the latest time-saving techniques.

The Advanced Diagnostics clinic is a great class for the Tech that wants to learn the basic concept of lab scoping.  Each Student will receive a training book and materials.  Topics covered in the Advanced Diagnostics clinic include:

• Discussion and demonstration of basic lab scope functions
• Example of how lab scopes can find real problems that will not show codes
• Discussion and illustration of input sensors that manipulate engines and transmissions
• How to perform ampere testing
• How to operate a lab scope with hands-on exercise
• Examples of good waveforms in comparison to live data

The Allison Transmission Clinic will focus on the 1000/2000/3000/4000 Series.  Students will receive their own book and materials.  Topics covered in the Allison Transmission clinic include:

• Discussion and illustration of common questions and failures for each transmission
• Discussion pertaining to updates for each transmission
• TSB handouts for each transmission discussed
• DTC handouts for all Allison transmissions
• Discussion and illustration of the importance of transmission coolers, fluid types and oil change intervals
• Opportunity to perform Solenoid testing with the TransX 2000

Because of the personal attention provided in these clinics, the class size is limited to 10 participants.

The cost per diagnostic clinic is $129.00 per person.  Participants will receive take home materials that will recap the information covered in the clinics for future reference.  To reserve space in any of these clinics, please call 1-800-827-7455 and ask to be connected with the JASPER branch nearest you.