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Dana to Supply Cam Cover Assemblies for Ford's 'All-New' Transit Van

16 March 2000

Dana to Supply Cam Cover Assemblies for Ford's 'All-New' Transit Van DANA CORPORATION LOGO Dana Corporation logo. (PRNewsFoto)[DM] TOLEDO, OH USA 09/03/1999    

    TOLEDO, Ohio, March 16 Dana Corporation
announced today its Plumley Division, headquartered in Paris, Tenn., has
launched production of thermoset cam cover assemblies to fulfill a new
contract with Ford Motor Company.  Plumley will supply assemblies to Ford's
Dagenham, England, manufacturing facility, for the 2000 model-year Transit
van's 2.4L Duratorq engine.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA )
    The cam cover assemblies consist of thermoset cam covers, poly-acrylic
rubber gaskets, and grommets.  The cam covers are manufactured in an injection
compression cell, which offers shorter manufacturing time and gives Plumley
engineers complete control over each stage of the manufacturing process.
    The thermoset material was chosen for the cam covers due to the demanding
requirements of the Duratorq engine.  Poly-acrylic rubber also is an extremely
durable material, and was chosen for the gaskets because it provides excellent
sealing characteristics and produces a leak-free joint.
    "Our engineers were able to work with Ford to develop an extensive testing
process for these assemblies," said Heinz Eilks, vice president of sealing
products for Dana's Engine Systems Group. "We are committed to providing our
customers state-of-the-art sealing components that meet their world-class
requirements."
    To test the cam cover assemblies, both two- and three-dimensional finite
element analyses were used to assess vibration characteristics and sealing
capabilities.  Further bench testing and dynamometer testing validated the
design.  The testing allowed the sealing forces to be carefully calculated
prior to production to ensure maximum efficiency.
    Dana Engine Systems Group provides components, modules, and complete
systems solutions to engine builders worldwide.  The group's product lines
include Victor Reinz(R) gaskets and sealing products, Perfect Circle(R) piston
rings and engine parts, Glacier(R) Vandervell(R) engine bearings, and
powertrain components manufactured by Dana's Plumley Division.
    Dana Corporation is one of the world's largest independent suppliers to
vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket.  Founded in 1904 and based in
Toledo, Ohio, the company operates some 320 major facilities in 33 countries
and employs more than 82,000 people.  The company reported sales of
$13.2 billion in 1999. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com .