170: Engine Building, Tuning & Training the Next Gen

Cars weren’t an obvious career path for Angelina Alcantar. Her family had no automotive background, and her parents hoped she’d pursue something more traditional. But a fascination with taking things apart and understanding how they worked won out, setting her on a path from aspiring technician to leading California’s largest automotive apprenticeship program.

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In this episode of Tuned In, Angelina explains how automotive classes at Riverside City College became her second home, eventually bringing her full circle from student to instructor. Today, she specialises in engine rebuilding and diagnostics, taking the responsibility of training the next generation of technicians seriously.

We dive deep into engine building, machining, cylinder head work, honing, clearances, compression and leak-down testing, and what it takes to achieve quality engine machining. We also cover Angelina’s turbo Honda Civic, EFI tuning, her experience learning Hondata, and her plans to develop her tuning skills further.

Finally, we discuss the technician shortage, changing attitudes towards the trades, and Angelina’s work building what has become California’s largest automotive apprenticeship program. She also has a popular YouTube channel, @ms.a_theshopteacher, which she hopes to continue growing.

From being underestimated early in her career to now helping shape the next generation, this episode is an inspiring look at Angelina’s passion for the automotive industry and the impressive journey that has brought her to where she is today.

👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip

Follow Angelina here:

Instagram: ms.a_theshopteacher
Youtube: ms.a_theshopteacher

Timestamps:

0:00 Engine Building, Tuning & Training the Next Gen
4:07 How did you develop a passion for cars?
14:04 Do you like problem solving without a workshop manual?
16:54 What is an ASE master tech?
25:13 Is a modern mechanic mainly driving a scan tool?
32:21 Is engine building a dying art?
38:41 Do you have a good level of engine machining knowledge?
41:03 What’s your process of diagnosing an engine issue?
43:03 Leak down test vs compression test
48:10 What is a TK test?
50:18 Is it a different skill set to build a performance engine?
1:10:37 Theories on running in an engine.
1:15:17 What is the oil additive ZDDP?
1:16:40 What made you want to get into teaching people?
1:21:17 Give us a run down on your Honda Civic?
1:27:58 Have you tuned the car yourself?
1:32:24 Why does the US have a shortage of ASE techs?
1:38:36 Can AI tune your car?
1:40:44 Finding a career in the automotive industry
1:44:41 What’s it like being a female in the automotive industry?
1:56:09 Quick fire questions
2:01:11 Final 3 Questions