RockAuto is happy to now carry Liland Global's All-Aluminum Radiators. These highly polished metal radiators look great under the hoods of classic cars, but they offer more than just a pretty face. With design features such as brazed cores and TIG-welded tanks, these durable radiators are found under the hoods of hard-working diesel trucks as well.

All-Aluminum Radiators may be easier to install and enhance fuel economy and performance because they weigh 25%-30% less than copper/brass radiators. Aluminum radiator tanks also will not crack over time like some OE plastic tanks do.

From a 1967 Pontiac Firebird, to a 1984 Chevrolet Corvette, to a 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser, to a diesel powered 2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty, to a 2004 Jeep Wrangler, find Liland Global's All-Aluminum Radiators for your specific car or truck in the "Cooling System" category of the RockAuto catalog. For some engines there are multiple Liland radiators to choose from, with features like two or three row construction for extra cooling.

Car Craft Magazine gave their team one week to use parts from RockAuto.com to build a one-of-a-kind, smog-legal, daily driver hot rod. Loaded with new parts from RockAuto.com, this Week To Wicked project vehicle has been completed and could be yours!

Visit the RockAuto Promotions & Rebates page for a link to the Sweepstakes Entry Form and to see all of the current rebates and promotions.

The North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club is a Subaru car club website with information on all models of Subaru including the Impreza, WRX, STI, Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, Baja and SVX. There are also forums dedicated to many local chapters across North America with events, happenings and get-togethers.

If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact marketing@rockauto.com.

When I was in high school (late 1960s), I had a very nice low mileage MGB. One day I was underneath it on the concrete driveway working on the exhaust or something, and was trying to remove a rusted bolt when the open end wrench disengaged with considerable force. This caused me to bang my knuckles and hit my head on the chassis. That caused me to jerk back and hit my head on the concrete, which caused me to jerk up and hit my head on the chassis, so I jerked back and hit my head on the concrete again. I finally started laughing, went limp and rolled out from underneath the car. I remember standing up and looking around to make sure nobody had been watching...

I did not throw anything, but sure felt stupid. BAM BAM BAM BAM just about as fast as you can say it.

Gene in California

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

The load on an engine increases significantly as alternator output increases. Match the vehicles below with the maximum output of their standard alternator/generator.

Answer below

A relay is a switch that uses a lower voltage/current circuit to switch on and off a higher voltage/current circuit. The lower voltage/current circuit typically energizes a coil in the relay that flips on/off the higher voltage/current switch side of the relay. By using a coil, the high and low voltage/current sides of the relay are isolated from each other. Relays will only become more common as computers control more automotive systems and components. Computers' dainty wires and 5 volt signals activate relays that turn on and off lights, motors and other parts that draw relatively high current.

Here are some cool tools I have used that make testing and replacing relays easier, faster and more successful. (Plus a bonus ultra-cool tool for soldering wires together!) Newer cars have boxes packed with relays under their hoods. Avoid damaging relays, the circuit board sockets the relays plug into and/or your fingernails by using Relay Puller Pliers.

The repair manual (available under “Literature” in the catalog) may tell you to test a relay and its circuits by putting multimeter probes (found under “Electrical Tester” in “Tools & Universal Parts”) or jumper wires on the relay's pins. Maybe you are checking to see if the voltage drop across the relay is too high (more than just millivolts), but the relay has to be powered up for that. How do you make contact with pins that are stuck into sockets surrounded by other relays' sockets? Do not waste time and risk damage by kludging something together. Use a set of Relay Test Jumpers. Simply plug the relay into the Relay Test Jumper and plug the Relay Test Jumper into the socket. A set of pins conveniently pokes out of the side of the Relay Test Jumper for conducting your tests!

Finally, if you are using a jumper wire to connect pins on a relay or on any circuit, then there should be a fuse in the jumper wire to reduce the risk of accidentally causing damage. RockAuto's Fuse Holders come with short lengths of wire attached. Simply use a Solder Iron (available under “Tool” in “Tools & Universal Parts”) to add more wire. To hold the wires while soldering, use the ultra-cool magnetic Soldering Clamp. This is the extra set of hands I have needed and the tool I have been planning to build myself “someday” since I did my first soldering job as a Cub Scout!

Jumper Wire with a Fuse Holder & Soldering Clamp

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.

September 2, 1978 I purchased my 1969 Camaro SS 396. The song “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty was playing on the AM radio as I drove my big block Camaro home. I felt like I was on top of the world. To this day every time I hear that song, that day, that feeling comes flooding back. 2018 marks the 40th year of ownership and that feeling of pride rides with me every time someone gives me a thumbs up or a head nod.

To keep the Camaro in tip top shape, parts and repairs go hand in hand. A friend told me about RockAuto, and I was pleasantly surprised that parts for a 1969 Camaro were available, priced right and at my door in just a couple days. Fantastic! I recently purchased everything I needed to rebuild my front end. Going fast was always important, but now I figured I better keep it in a straight line as well.

I have purchased parts for my Chevrolet Blazer, my wife’s Pontiac G6, and my daughter’s Cavalier is next on the list. RockAuto has what I need to get the job done.

Thanks RockAuto!
Randy in Manitoba, Canada

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to give you the opportunity to have your car or truck possibly featured in one (or occasionally more) of our publications such as the monthly newsletter, collector magnets, RockAuto social media or other commercial use. New, old, import, domestic, daily driver, trailer queen, classic, antique, we want to see them all! Please email flamur@RockAuto.com with your vehicle's history, interesting details, your favorite images (tips for taking pictures of your car) and what parts from RockAuto you have used.

The load on an engine increases significantly as alternator output increases. Match the vehicles below with the maximum output of their standard alternator/generator.

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