Mechanical engineering portfolio

Arlo Gonzalez.

Mechanical engineering student at
San Diego State University.

Expected graduation · May 2028

Skills   SolidWorks · MATLAB · 3D printing · Automotive diagnostics & mechanical repair

Selected projects

Automotive repair & restoration

Reassembled Jeep Cherokee engine bay with the hood open.

Engine bay restoration & engine swaps

1999 Jeep Cherokee

Component restoration, a flexplate replacement, and two engine swaps.

Fiesta engine out of the car, showing the timing belt, cam gears, and cam locking fixture.

Transmission replacement & engine service

2015 Ford Fiesta ST

A lower-mileage transmission and timing belt replacement.

Finished silver BMW 328i convertible parked outside at sunset.

Body preparation & respray

1996 BMW 328i

Sanding, body filler, and paint preparation for a silver convertible.

Project details

1999 Jeep Cherokee

Engine bay restoration & engine swaps

The work

I removed every removable engine-bay component, refinished serviceable parts, replaced parts that could not be reused, and installed a newer refurbished engine. A cracked flexplate was the original problem; we replaced it during the first swap.

A second engine swap

The replacement engine later developed rod knock. I removed and reinstalled the components to put the original engine back in. The Jeep is now running well in its stock configuration.

Additional restoration

I also replaced the headliner, refinished the door cards, and resprayed the roof to address existing rust.

Project photos

Reassembled Jeep Cherokee engine bay with the hood open.
Engine bay during disassembly, before refinishing.
Engine bay during disassembly, before refinishing.
The failed flexplate, with its center broken out.
The failed flexplate, with its center broken out.
Engine installation in the refinished engine bay.
Engine installation in the refinished engine bay.

Project details

2015 Ford Fiesta ST

Transmission replacement & engine service

The work

I installed a lower-mileage used transmission and replaced the timing belt, spark plugs, slave cylinder, and flywheel.

The result

The Fiesta is now running, driving, and shifting smoothly. The photos document the engine out of the car during timing-belt work and the transmission with the old slave cylinder.

Project photos

Fiesta engine out of the car, showing the timing belt, cam gears, and cam locking fixture.
Transmission case with the old slave cylinder in the foreground.
Transmission case with the old slave cylinder in the foreground.

Project details

1996 BMW 328i

Body preparation & respray

My contribution

I completed essentially all of the sanding and preparation, using body filler to address rock chips and uneven or damaged edges. I also sprayed some of the main body.

Finishing the car

My father completed the remaining spraying and the clear coat. The finished silver convertible is shown alongside photos of the preparation and painting stages.

Project photos

Finished silver BMW 328i convertible parked outside at sunset.
Hood sanding and surface preparation.
Hood sanding and surface preparation.
Masked body with sanding and filler work visible.
Masked body with sanding and filler work visible.
The masked car after silver paint was applied.
The masked car after silver paint was applied.