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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 04/08/2003 : 07:26:53 [Permalink]
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quote:
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Interesting article...maybe it should go under the conspiracy folder
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-2-629399,00.html
I've been hearing about the miracle carb for as long as I can remember. The orginal story, as I heard it, was that Big Oil paid the guy boo-coo dollars and bought out the patent. Then destroyed the prototypes and plans; and one version has the guy mysteriously dissappearing along with his family and a couple of friends. Wonderful stuff! All moot, now though. Cars built today use fuel injection, and carbs are on their way to extinction.
Conspiracy's probably the place for it.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2003 : 11:51:21 [Permalink]
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Look at the source. It's a tabloid. Besides that...
According to Snopes, similar stories have been around since at least 1948.
And, from The Straight Dope:quote:
Truth is, vapor carbs are the equivalent of the improved buggy whip.
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- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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jmcginn
Skeptic Friend
343 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2003 : 12:18:29 [Permalink]
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| I have a Blazer S-10 4x4 and my wife has a 93 Camry with over 160k on it. I use the Blazer quite a bit on trips up into the Rockies and do a little off-roading with it from time to time. When the Camry dies or becomes unbearable or I get the Blazer paid off I will be getting the wife a mini-van. We had a Dodge Caravan before my wife totalled it and that had to be the most useful vehicle we have ever owned. Sits 7 people, chairs fold down for large cargo loads, easy access to the "trunk" space and easy access to get kids in and out, especially babies. Try getting an infant in a car seat in a sedan and compare that to a mini-van and its worlds apart. |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 00:21:49 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Tokyodreamer
The irony of a self-proclaimed Libertarian holding such thoughts... 
I'm the 1st to admit I'm a hypocrite. But seriously folks, how many people agree entirely with all their parties views? At least I'm not going to Hell, like Catholics who use conception control.
PS. And oh yeah.....being a Libertarian or anything else doesn't preclude hating something.
quote:
Before SUVs, why were their no national campaigns telling pickup truck drivers who didn't live on farms that they were "evil"? They're just as big, just as relatively fuel inefficient, just as prevalent (at least here in Alabama  ), hmm, let's see, what's the difference? Oh yeah, SUVs are considered "luxury" vehicles. Nothing like good ol' class envy to get the blood pumping.
Class envy? Holly shit! I CHOOSE not to buy one. If I cared a damn what people thought about me and my status I'd drive a much fancier car.
I think there's a moral and ethical question. Pick-ups perhaps use the same gas, etc., but most people use them for practical reasons.
quote:
Why is it anyone's business whether or not someone who has an SUV uses it for its maximum utilitarian purpose? Should one hold pickup truck drivers who don't actually use their trucks to haul shit daily in them in equal busy-body contempt?
I don't know about Alabama but if they (trucks) started clogging the streets of Los Angeles just for status I'd have a problem with that too. The moral problem is people being selfish, taking up parking spaces not intended for large vehicles. Driving in an unsafe manner because they think they can push their way in a lane. More often than not they are the ones holding up traffic, going slow because the driver is on the phone.
quote:
Should we look at an SUV driver, scowl, and think "What an asshole!" based completely on the assumption that they've never driven that SUV into the mountains, or into the country, or used it to haul a boat to the lake or river? Maybe the vehicle isn't even theirs, and you just unjustly thought of a complete stranger as an asshole!
You hit the nail on the head. Assholes all of them. Perhaps one or two of the drivers are not the owner but when the rude and selfish habits of people who drive those things constantly happen, you have to believe it's not just a few nonowners or new drivers causing the problems.
quote:
And who's the bigger asshole anyway? The don't-share-the-same-aesthetic-tastes-as-Snake SUV drivers? Or people who go around thinking the worst about total strangers based on the most superficial of meetings?
Based on over all observations that keep happening. There is some grain of truth to stereotyping. Don't worry, as soon as those shallow-I-have-to-have-the-latest-fad people start driving something else, I'll be the 1st to comment on that too.
quote:
Can I make an entire post consisting of nothing but questions? Almost...
Yes, of course. Do you have to ask? |
| Edited by - Snake on 04/09/2003 00:37:19 |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 00:26:26 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
I too, agree with TC, at least to a point. It's really none of my business what someone else putts around in. It's their money to spend as they wish, even if it's on an ego trip.
Ok, I can agree with Filthy, to a point. BUT there are laws about not parking in handicap spaces, not going through crosswalks when people are walking, and on and on.....why? Because people have to be told to be considerate. There's a point at which ones individual taste and wants collide with societies needs. Forget about how ugly suv's are, they are a menace and many people who drive them are inconsiderate or incompetent.
quote:
As for my old truck, it's driven 'most every day with the bed empty. So, I guess I might not really need it. P'raps, unless I'm hauling something, I should hitch hike?
That's a thought! Nice way to meet people. |
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siylk
New Member
USA
1 Post |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 02:29:46 [Permalink]
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Hmm, I don't know. I sort of like all the newer tech things that make it able for me to do less in terms of chores and more in terms of things I find important. Like reading. Or woodworking. Or biking. Or...whatever. I'll tell you one thing, i HATE to do dishes. Love that dishwasher.
As to the car, well, mine just broke, so i'll probably get the Toyota Matrix. Good choice Deb! How do you like it? |
"Who is John Galt?" - Ayn Rand |
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Tim
SFN Regular
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 02:55:19 [Permalink]
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A couple of points here...
First, in my experience, most people do not use personally owned pick-ups for utilitarian purposes, other than towing the Bass Boat, which can be accomplished by any other vehicle with high ground clearance.
There are nearly twelve hundred vehicles parked at my place of work. The number of pick-up trucks outnumber all other types of vehicles combined. The majority of those trucks have eight or large six cylinder engines. The most popular truck is a full sized Dodge Ram. In nearly all cases, if the vehicle is less than five years old, which most are, it hasn't even got a tool box in the bed. Many of the beds are covered. Plus, using these vehicles as a work vehicle will endanger the integrity of the paint job, or the added custom features. Canvas covers are also a common feature.
Other trucks are 'classic trucks' that are stock, or customized, and raced at the nearest track on the weekends. And, we have a large assortment of 'low rider' trucks that sport custom paint jobs, hydraulic suspensions, undercarriage lighting, and stereo systems costing more than the value of the vehicle belting out heavy bass Rap, Hip Hop, or the newest Young Country tunes.
Three major stickers adorn the back windows: 1) NASCAR - The most common. 2) Harley Davidson - Though most have never ridden anything other than a rice burner, or ATV. 3) Some outline of a kid pissing on another truck logo.
Pick-up trucks are status symbols that often cost more than $30,000.00. If you want to work out of a truck, or haul something, you use the company truck.
Plus, not all SUV's are massive machines resembling armored vehicles. And, there are uses for them that do not require the added initial cost, higher insurance rates and diminished fuel efficiency of a 4X4.
Finally, I have a difficult time conceiving of the idea that a standard combustion engine, especially one tooled in the 1930's, could only burn one gallon of gasoline in 200 miles, no matter how sophisticated the carburettor. Maybe, it was intended to be mounted on a go-cart! |
"We got an issue in America. Too many good docs are gettin' out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their -- their love with women all across this country." Dubya in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 9/6/2004
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chainsaw
Skeptic Friend
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 06:09:46 [Permalink]
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I think that carburetor article is hooky. It says it gets its efficiency by turning "petrol into a vapour before it enters the cylinder"... but that's what all carbs do, vaporize the gas. The only thing the carb by itself can do to use less gas is go leaner on the air gas mixture... and too lean a mixture causes cascading problems elsewhere, overheating and burnt valves. I'm sure this is just another snake oil salesman or old wives tail.
Regarding SUV size problem. Since we agree?!? that SUVs are more appropriate in rural settings than urban settings, why not ban SUVs from the cities? We already have laws that keep trucks out of the central city, so why not the same for SUV?
BTW, thanks for the advice Filthy. I do have a settling bowl filter right before the carb, keeps the rust out of the jets. The problem with the gas tank is that it has several baffles in it so you can't really get at the problem. I seem to have less problems if I always keep less than a half tank of gas.
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You can "believe" what you want, but you do have to get your science right or you'll flunk science. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 07:34:30 [Permalink]
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quote:
Ok, I can agree with Filthy, to a point. BUT there are laws about not parking in handicap spaces, not going through crosswalks when people are walking, and on and on.....why? Because people have to be told to be considerate. There's a point at which ones individual taste and wants collide with societies needs. Forget about how ugly suv's are, they are a menace and many people who drive them are inconsiderate or incompetent.
Ah, but friend Snake, here you are flogging the messenger for the message. A little, old granny in a tiny Toy-Oater can be just as big an asshole as any lout in an SUV. As an ex-professional driver, I've seen it, all too many times. It is not the vehicle, but it's owner that's at fault. An idiot will be and remain an idiot if they're driving nothing more than a skateboard; a careful and considerate driver will be so even if they're in a 370 Pete, see what I'm sayin'?
As for hitch hiking, I'm too old and crippled to fight if I don't have to.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 07:50:44 [Permalink]
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quote:
BTW, thanks for the advice Filthy. I do have a settling bowl filter right before the carb, keeps the rust out of the jets. The problem with the gas tank is that it has several baffles in it so you can't really get at the problem. I seem to have less problems if I always keep less than a half tank of gas.
Damn! Forgot about the baffels.
As I'm sure you know, this will be an on-going problem due to the whole tank being rusty. I wonder if installing a large fuel filter with a replacable element directly under the tank would help. You also might think about having it steam cleaned, then flushed.
We used to (still do) fill old, rusty motorcycle tanks with kero and drop in a bunch of bolts, nuts, worn-out ball bearings, marbles, and other, assorted trash, then ride the tank around in the back of the truck for a few days. Cleaned 'em up pretty good. Then we'd use a product called Creme to coat the inside. Any crap left was trapped in the coating.
All luck with it.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 08:08:00 [Permalink]
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Tim, check out the Straight Dope article I linked to, earlier:quote:
The theoretical (and unobtainable) maximum efficiency for a small car like a Honda Civic is around 200 mpg; for your big beaters it's much lower. . . A recent survey in Technology Review listed ten experimental cars developed by seven major automakers that got highway mileage ranging from 71 to 110 mpg. A few years ago Renault trotted out a rig that got 121 mpg on the run from Paris to Bordeaux. I'm told the gas mileage record for motorcycles is about 400 mpg. . . High mileage is never the result of a single miraculous component, such as a carburetor. Rather it's the sum of numerous small improvements. Among these are lightweight materials, low-friction tires, improved aerodynamics, flywheels to store and reuse energy now lost during braking, and "ultra-lean-burn" engines for more efficient city driving (already available in certain Toyotas sold in Europe).
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- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Tim
SFN Regular
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 14:00:15 [Permalink]
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quote:
Tim, check out the Straight Dope article I linked to, earlier
Let's not push this issue too far. Afterall, I do still work in the oilfields. |
"We got an issue in America. Too many good docs are gettin' out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their -- their love with women all across this country." Dubya in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 9/6/2004
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 23:52:32 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by siylk
I'll tell you one thing, i HATE to do dishes. Love that dishwasher.
Difference of opinion....That's what makes the world go round!
I like to hand wash them:
1. Having a germ phobia, I need to make sure they are clean.
2. It's like meditation, time to let the mind wonder and ponder. |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2003 : 23:58:03 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Tim
A couple of points here...
Other trucks are 'classic trucks' that are stock, or customized, and raced at the nearest track on the weekends. And, we have a large assortment of 'low rider' trucks that sport custom paint jobs, hydraulic suspensions, undercarriage lighting, and stereo systems costing more than the value of the vehicle belting out heavy bass Rap, Hip Hop, or the newest Young Country tunes.
Yikes! Remind me never to come visit where you live.
Blasting rap crap? YUK. I'd be calling the cops so fast.
quote:
Plus, not all SUV's are massive machines resembling armored vehicles. And, there are uses for them that do not require the added initial cost, higher insurance rates and diminished fuel efficiency of a 4X4.
Yes, I don't disagree there is a necessity for them BUT what you see around here is ONE person in them most of the time. Don't tell me ALL of those people are on their way to pick up the camping gear to go hiking or just dropped off 10 kids at school.
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2003 : 00:03:17 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by chainsaw
Regarding SUV size problem. Since we agree?!? that SUVs are more appropriate in rural settings than urban settings, why not ban SUVs from the cities? We already have laws that keep trucks out of the central city, so why not the same for SUV?
Finally, a great, sensible idea. |
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