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Showing posts from April, 2018

!The Unbelievable! 2

Some may argue and say that it has not been demonstrated that cars with factory electronics and integrated devices have tracking and surveillance devices built in and/or that it is possible to control the functioning of the automobile. Actually, some modern cars have bluetooth and cell phone capabilities built in. Hence, it is true, that it is possible to monitor and track people in an automobile with factory electronics. Even though it hasn't been demonstrated that modern cars have tracking and surveillance capabilities direct from the factory, it may not be necessary to do so. Even IF the factory electronics, in most cars, do not have tracking or monitoring capabilities (and transmission and reception) it is still possible to "hack" into the computer and alter the functioning of the engine. For example, signals that are sent between sensors and the computer are often electromagnetically unsheilded. This implies that the signals could be detected using the proper

!The Unbelievable!

About a week ago I listened to talk given by Mark Koernke: https://youtu.be/sVrecoDzgZY?t=3555 whether or not we agree with the rest of his beliefs he does bring up some very good points. Vehicles that require integrated electronics to operate, (not just operate more efficiently) are susceptible to Electromagnetic Pulse damage. Furthermore, since it is difficult to view the circuitry inside integrated devices, we cannot easily detect whether or not radio transmission or reception circuitry has been built into the devices themselves. This opens up the possibility of using this radio circuitry to control the engine, so it may be possible to shut down the engine remotely. For anyone trying to build a "bug out" van or a "stealth van" this is a serious security issue. A "bug out" van or "stealth van" is not too useful if the integrated electronics that control the ignition, fuel injection, and/or fuel pump are damaged or shut down remotely. No

Good Car Repair Advices 2

Here are even more cost effective techniques to rebuild or repair an engine: Here is a way to remove piston wrist pins without the use of a hydraulic press: https://youtu.be/2SKZ9Fngo8Q And the Reverse, how to insert piston wrist pins without the use of a hydraulic press: https://youtu.be/s0pg9yaHEfk So now we know it forwards and backwards! Step by step we are combining all the techniques needed to rebuild or repair an engine all for the cost of tools, parts, and labor. There are still some processes that may require specialized tools, processes, and knowledge: 1. Crankshaft grinding 2. Cylinder Bore 3. Camshaft holder alignment. I'll keep on searching to see if there are ways to achieve similar results at lower cost.

Good Car Repair Advices

I found a website that offers good advice regarding DIY engine rebuilding/remanufacturing: https://www.enginerepairshop.com/ What is of particular interest is the section on tools: https://www.enginerepairshop.com/engine-repair-tools.html Take note that the author DOES NOT recommend a Ridge Reamer. In fact he states that Ridge Reamers sometimes damage the cylinder bore beyond repair. The Haynes manual for the Ford E350 Econoline Van actually states that ridge reamers MUST be used, otherwise the pistons can't be removed from the block. According to the author of the aforementioned website, this may not be completely accurate. Sometimes I get the impression that some repair manuals, vehicle repair establishments, repair videos on youtube or on TV, recommend tools and/or procedures that aren't necessary for the repair. In fact these tools and procedures may be a covert way of getting people to spend money. The amount of money spent can be substantial, like machining

Quick Rust Removal

Here is an incredibly fast and inexpensive way to remove rust without using abrasive materials, hot tanks, or specialized rust removers: https://youtu.be/N3T61g1mjfU Muriatic Acid (aka Hydrochloric Acid) is quite inexpensive: https://www.google.com/search?q=muriatic+acid&biw=1600&bih=1036&tbm=shop It can also be found at local hardware stores: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klean-Strip-1-gal-Green-Muriatic-Acid-GKGM75006/202690263 (It isn't "standard" muriatic acid, so it may not be as effective as the Acid in the video) Acids react quite well with most metals, any HCl residue left on clean metal will continue to react. So it is necessary to rinse the clean metal with a strong Chemical base to neutralize the acid, like vinegar, lye, or baking soda dissolved in water. It may be desirable to dilute the Hydrochloric Acid with water before using it to remove rust. This would create less fumes, it would be safer for the person using the acid (just in

Battery Reconditioning 4

While performing a search for sulfuric acid on google, I came across an ebay page that tells people how to recondition a lead acid battery: https://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Refurbish-a-Dead-Car-Battery-/10000000177770796/g.html It was mentioned that one can buy battery acid from ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WPS-Non-Sealed-Battery-Acid-Pack-850cc/311989870897 This may be an option for those who wish to recondition their battery without having to mix their own battery acid solution. A great advantage of having access to all the chemicals needed to recondition a battery is the cost savings over having to purchase a new battery. A 100g container of EDTA and 1L of 98% sulfuric acid can recondition several batteries. Also, carrying EDTA and sulfuric acid (each in their own proper, tightly sealed container) takes up less space, and less weight than carrying spare batteries. Finally, even if one must replace a battery, having access to these chemicals allows one to recondition used

Battery Reconditioning 3

While viewing videos and posting on youtube I came across several videos where people successfully extracted the lead from a typical lead-acid battery and turned it in to lead ingots: https://youtu.be/-FR4sEmY-54 This goes to show that it indeed is possible to completely recondition a "dead" battery, as long as there is sufficient lead metal left because one can recover all the lead from a "dead" battery and cast it into a new lead plate. Furthermore, it maybe possible to use lead plates from other batteries to replace the lead metal in another battery. Here is the video previous to the one I posted above: https://youtu.be/SgGhNfJfSK0 (I was mistaken, there are videos of people taking apart typical lead-acid batteries) Yet instead of simply melting the lead and concentrating the sulfuric acid, it may be helpful to try to clean the lead as detailed in my previous posts, replace any lead plates that are no longer functional, recondition or replace the elec

Battery Reconditioning 2

It is quite odd that nearly every component of modern automobiles has been disassembled and analyzed, except for lead-acid batteries. Most of the time we catch of glimpse of the innards through the vent holes. Often a lead-acid battery is treated like a monolithic component, incapable of being disassembled, when in reality, it is just like every other component. It is made of sub-components and in the case of the battery it is quite simple. If every component of a dead lead acid battery is reconditioned to it's original state, then both the voltage and the current will also return to it's original state. So the first step in bringing back a battery from the dead is to clean the lead plates, as detailed in the previous post. In fact it may be beneficial to use multiple methods to clean the lead plates. First a hydrochloric acid wash, then EDTA, then electrolytic reduction. The amount of lead making up the plates determines how well, if at all, a battery can be brought

Battery Reconditioning

After looking through several youtube videos on Battery Reconditioning and reading the comments, it is questionable whether or not it is possible to recondition a battery using any method. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=battery+reconditioning For the most common lead acid batteries this is a question of chemistry. So, to determine whether or not it is possible to recondition a "dead" lead acid battery we must first determine how most of these batteries operate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_battery#Design and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_battery#Use_and_maintenance The Use and Maintenance section reads: "Sulfation occurs when the electrodes become coated with a hard layer of lead sulfate which weakens the battery. It occurs when a battery is not fully charged and remains discharged. [20] Sulfated batteries should be charged slowly to prevent damage" It appears that sulfation is primary cause of battery deterior

El Cheapo Part 3

In El Cheapo Part 2, I posted a link to a video that shows how to mount a tire without using a tire machine. What I failed to notice is that before someone can mount a tire onto a rim, most of the time, a used tire must be removed from the rim. Once again youtube comes to the rescue, here is how to remove a used tire from a rim without a tire machine: https://youtu.be/tRAS1A6eEV0 A clever way to "break" the tire bead: https://youtu.be/0uyuZhj3fnw Also one can use Lye to clean and degrease engine parts: https://youtu.be/Z5lF4Ysewks Lye can also be used to clean rust and carbon from cast iron skillets, which may also be helpful in cleaning cast iron engine blocks and heads. DON'T use Lye with aluminum, it will react with the aluminum and create hydrogen gas. https://youtu.be/GxhwuI3L4EQ The ability of lye to clean may be increased by heating the lye-water solution. Increasing the ambient temperature in which a chemical reaction takes place often leads to

El Cheapo Part 2

Here are even more quick, somewhat easy, cheap tricks to help save you money and get you going!! The best all-time car repair tricks: The "Bearing Roll" - How to replace crankshaft bearings without removing the crankshaft! (Removing the crankshaft often requires removing the entire engine!) https://youtu.be/DSZiRBYgBNc The "Belt Trick" - How to remove combustion engine "heads" without removing the timing belt/chain. (Most car repair manuals AND car repair schools require that one remove the timing belt/chain to remove the heads, this often requires much time and consternation) https://youtu.be/N5nGqtq3YnQ Engine Removal and Installation Schemes Sometimes you can do without an Engine Hoist, though it may be safer to use a Hoist: (People can get quite creative!!) https://youtu.be/7Q-XoYMWnQo - (Not Recommended, it might help to stand on some blocks of wood and use a stiffer support bar. It appears as if they are using a shower curtain rod to

El Cheapo Part 1

Youtube is an amazing website, the internet is an amazing technology, for almost any question there is some type of answer, and often an inexpensive answer. Most importantly the answer more often than not works, it delivers on the promise, unlike so many things. One of the questions I had is where can I find inexpensive car or van tires? Clearly one can look for inexpensive new tires but, there is a lower limit on the price. What isn't as well known is that one can buy and install used tires with a usable amount of tire tread and often at half the price of the least expensive new tires. Furthermore, buying and installing used tires helps to reduce the amount of waste produced by the disposal of tires that are still usable. One of the best places to look for tire shops that may sell and install used tires is on yellowpages.com: http://www.yellowpages.com Simply type "used tires" in the search box, set your location and perform a search. There are several ti

What the Duck

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Some may have seen the following news story on The Economist: https://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2018/03/daily-chart-18 Indicating that the peak solar production times are offset from the peak demand times, there are simple solutions to this dilemma, simply build the solar power infrastructure large enough so that it can provide sufficient power for peak load time and then simply turn off the extra panels during peak production time. The more rational approach would be to build pumped hydroelectric plants that can store excess energy during the peak production times and can then be used to provide energy during peak load times. If you read the article it stated: "On the supply side, one trick is to calculate ever-more-precise forecasts of solar output and electricity demand at every hour of every day, to match them better." We don't need to calculate "ever-more-precise" solar forecasts because we can control cloud formation through geoen