AERA Technical Bulletins – May 25, 2022

Flywheel/Flexplate Bolt Cautions for 2005-2022 Toyota 2.7L Engines

The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information concerning the flywheel/flexplate bolts on 2005-2022 Toyota 2.7L truck engines. This information applies to the engine models 3RZFE and 2TRFE only.

These engines are very similar to each other but differ in ways that should be considered during engine assembly. Refer to the chart below for flywheel/flexplate bolt installation.

NOTE: The bolts for the flywheel of the 3RZFE engine are a one-time use and require replacement anytime they’re removed. Bolts for flexplates may be reused if undamaged.

Thicker Head Gasket Options for 2009-2016 Mini Cooper 1.6L N18 Engines

The AERA Technical Department offers the following information regarding an additional thickness head gasket for 2009-2016 Mini Cooper 1.6L N18 engines. This information should be considered any time the cylinder head is removed from above subject engines.

Before removing the cylinder head, loosen and re-torque each head bolt to ensure thread strength and integrity. There have been many instances of stripped head bolt hole threads in these aluminum cylinder blocks. Determining a complete repair during teardown is well advised rather than finding out later during assembly procedures.

Tubular Header Tech

By Mike Mavrigian

There’s more to selecting exhaust headers than simply finding a set of tubes that bolt up to the cylinder heads and that clear restrictions in the engine bay. Understanding materials, the role

of primary tube diameters, lengths and designs is critical in selecting the best application, especially in the pursuit of extracting maximum horsepower and torque.

PRIMARY TUBE SIZE AND LENGTH

Given the same input pressure, a smaller diameter tube will create higher pressure, while a larger tube will result in lower pressure output. Depending on other factors such as compression ratio and cylinder head design, smaller diameter primary tubes promote low-end torque, but if too small for the application this can result in an increase in backpressure. Larger diameter primaries lend themselves provide not only corrosion prevention thermal control as to top-end power, but if too large, insufficient back-pressure will result in a loss of power, especially at bottom-end and midrange operation.

The AERA YouTube channel features Prosis Pro tutorials, AERA webinars and membership information. We invite you to check out the wide selection of videos and subscribe! New content is added regularly.

Steve and Chuck interview Paul Kelly from Maxiforce Engine Parts, who supplies diesel engine parts, about the opportunities that are out there for machine shops in the small-bore diesel engine market. Paul enlightens everyone about how one engine can be used in several different pieces of equipment from one manufacturer. Also, this month’s history segment pertains to the Indianapolis 500 and how one of our longtime associate members participated in the Indianapolis 500 in the early years.

Everyone in business owes it to themselves and their business to gain knowledge and network with other people within the same industry. AERA understands that traveling to national trade shows to gain knowledge and networking opportunities is very expensive. Therefore, AERA has decided to help by teaming up with a regional host and offer these opportunities to different regions of our country and hopefully closer to your shop. All shops welcome! Need not be an AERA member to attend.

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