Tom: a cold test operator with a sixth sense

June 2, 2010 at 9:33 am

Tom Carney is a cold-test operator at the GM Tonawanda plant in Buffalo, NY. He is a member of UAW Local 774 and has been working with GM for 35 years. Tom has his ear to the ground and can figure out issues with the engine just by listening to it. He loves travelling and remembers his official trip to Japan very fondly. Tom has been married to Sherry for 28 years. They have three children: Casey – 27, Kelliann – 24 and Ryan – 23.

35 glorious years: Golf is my passion and I will play golf at any chance that I get; last year I played 70 rounds. I also like to cook and do most of the cooking at home. I love to barbecue all year round and even though I live in Buffalo, NY, I’ll shovel a path to the grill if I have to. I also like to travel and since my wife works for Jet Blue, it makes travel a lot easier.

Tom enjoying a game of golf!

I’ve been at GM for 35 years and started my career at GM Interior Plastics in Syracuse, NY. We made bumper fascias and moldings and painted them to match the car. That plant closed in 1993 and I relocated to Buffalo, NY to work at the Tonawanda engine plant.

My sixth sense: I’ve been on this job for five years and have developed a sixth sense that picks up on what is wrong with an engine just by listening to it. I’m a pretty laid-back guy but if there is something going on with the engine that I’ve not seen before, I cannot rest till I find the problem. I’d say that is the most challenging part of my job.

I am currently a cold-test operator and work on the 2.2L/2.4L Ecotec engine that goes into the Chevy Malibu, Cobalt and HHR. Our equipment tests over 1000 quality parameters including exhaust, torque and oil pressure. I work very closely with senior manufacturing engineer, John Kehoe to make sure we deliver a great product.

I’m proud to work at GM and had the opportunity to go to Japan for an equipment run-off in 2007. Equipment run-offs occur whenever GM gets new machinery and my task in this case was to test new machines at the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) site in Japan. It was an incredible trip, and while I was there I discovered: there is almost no crime in Japan, the food is great and that the Japanese are extremely hospitable.

Exciting times ahead: GM recently announced that it will be investing $400 million to build a new V8 small, block engine at the Tonawanda plant This follows the announcement of a $425 million investment plan to build Gen 2 2.0L/2.5L Ecotec engines. These are exciting times at Tonawanda and I’m really happy to be a part of it.

Anynomous

Jun 3rd, 2010

“My sixth sense: I’ve been on this job for five years and have developed a sixth sense that picks up on what is wrong with an engine just by listening to it.”

Listening is one of the 5 senses.
Cheryl Hiatt

Jun 4th, 2010

I think he means he uses all his senses when he gets the engine but the sixth sense is his experience in telling him when something is wrong.

Great job Tom. Keep up the good work.
Jack daniels

Jun 10th, 2010

We should have had him over here in the UK – maybee ROVER Cars wouldn’t have gone out of business !!
Mel Fox

Jun 15th, 2010

Tom, I think it’s wonderful that you’re so passionate about your job! That’s what make you so good at what you do, and your dedication surely translates into better business at GM!

I share your love of cooking! Keep that BBQ burning and enjoy golfing this summer!!
Luis Zuniga

Jul 19th, 2010

Tom…It is not easy to obtain that type of skills I have worked for 13 years for several engine and transmissions plant the test stands are state of the art machinery that need a lot of dedication and education tho comprehend what is happening into an engine or transmission, please continue working and please share your experince and learnings with more people, in order to be sure that we continue building the best cars and trucks
James Little

Dec 3rd, 2011

I’m trying to identify a motor that has on the valve cover, built by Chevrolet Tonawanda No. 1 Team, it supposedly came out of a Belair 1968 with T1108HF, 18R126552 and casting number 3914660 T13. It also has additional numbers 18436572. Can you help me out?
paul.manzella@gm.com

Dec 6th, 2011

We had to go to Tonawanda retiree Art Casper to get the answer to this one. Here’s what he told us:
I love these questions. The engine Stamp (T1108HF) is broken down as follows; T = Tonawanda, 1108 = November 8, HF= 1968 327CID 250HP Automatic Transmission with 4 Barrel Carburetor. The other number – 3914660 – is the Block casting number which was ONLY used in 1968. Based on all of this, I can say that it is really a 1968 Engine.