Crafting Dreams: Anthony Gendron's Journey to Precision at UNOH
Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2024
Anthony Gendron with his miniature engine
Anthony Gendron, from Bryan, Ohio is a budding automotive enthusiast and High-Performance Motorsports and Automotive Technology student at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH).
For Anthony, the pathway to UNOH was a unique one. After completing High School, Anthony attended a few other institutions ranging from trade schools and community colleges with majors in computer and software development to mechanical engineering and PLC programming. Anthony even worked for a few years as a robotic technician. But his passion for engine machining and high performance horesepower was always in the back of his head.
Making the decision to transfer to UNOH came about after a conversation with his parents who had spoken to a local Ford dealership manager. The manager told his parents that he sent employees to UNOH for proper training. Soon after, Anthony was introduced to UNOH and its impressive reputation for training students in the Automotive and High Performance industries. The appeal of machining, fabrication, and tuning classes at UNOH resonated with Anthony, making it an ideal place to further his education.
While attending classes at UNOH, Anthony decided he wanted to take on a project he originally thought about when he was younger. He wanted to build a custom engine from scratch during his downtime outside of classes.
“I initially wanted to put an engine on my mongoose push scooter,” he said. “But I didn't want to buy an engine online because they're very expensive, and I knew more about machining now than I did a few years ago when I made plans to build a similar engine.”
Courses like High Performance Welding and Fabrication, along with High Performance Fuels gave Anthony the background and hands-on skills to take on this project. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Machining the camshafts and crankshaft presented Anthony with some of the project's biggest hurdles.
The intricacies of crafting valves, each taking about an hour and a half to make, tested his patience and precision on the lathe. Yet, through the trials, Anthony found support from UNOH instructors like Mr. Pohlman, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Harubin, Mr. Klausing, Mr. Immele, Mr. Polley, Mr. Hill, Mr. Waller, and Mr. Alsbro who became mentors guiding him through the complex process.
The collaborative spirit at UNOH extended beyond instructors to fellow students who shared insights and experiences. The sense of community fostered at UNOH has been a driving force behind his accomplishments.
With more than 480 hours invested in his engine project so far, Anthony envisions a fully functional engine running on low-lead aviation gasoline. His meticulous machining and electrical work leave little doubt that it will roar to life once completed.
Anthony's ambition extends beyond campus as he looks forward to graduating in March. “I'm going to miss being able to work on the engine every day,” said Anthony. “But I'm also excited to go out into the world of machining and make a name for myself. I talked to a few different engine machining and performance part companies while I was at the PRI show in December, and I'm hoping to start working for one of them soon after graduation.”
His time at UNOH has equipped Anthony with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the automotive industry. As Anthony prepares to leave UNOH, he leaves behind his story. It was never about just about building an engine; it was about crafting dreams, overcoming challenges, and finding a supportive community that helped turn his passion into a career.
Follow Anthony on TikTok to see more progress on his engine under the username @aperturus.
Category: Applied Technologies
Keywords: High Performance, Miniature Engine, Tuning, Fabrication
