--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00021 Date: 01/04/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 11:21pm \/To: TOM WALKER (Read 0 times) Subj: Ford 429 -=> Quoting TOM WALKER to ALAN MORRISON <=- -> 1969 Mustang Boss 429 -> -> Engine: 429 Cubic In -> 375 HP @ 5200 rpm -> 450 ft lb. @ 3400 rpm -> Transmission 4 Speed Manual -> Production 857 -> Performance -> 0-60 - 6.6 Seconds -> 1/4 Mile - 13.68 @ 102.6 MPH TW> Rembember the other Speciality Mustang that FORD built. they placed TW> MOSt of them in their Auto Rental orginization. I'm not sure. Are you talking about the California Mustang? I'd never heard of one until I spent some time there. What were they... anything special, like a Shelby Mustang? --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00022 Date: 01/05/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 07:01pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Vehicle Confiscation FAX GRAM - Volume 1 Issue 79 - November 22, 1997 For more information, Call: (215) 493-3060 Write: PO BOX 523, Wash. Crossing, PA 18977 E-MAIL: KEXG49A@prodigy.com VEHICLE CONFISCATION BEGINS IN PHILADELPHIA Beginning January 1st, uninsured _OR_ unregistered vehicles will be impounded under a pilot program instituted by Philadelphia's City Council. The city expects to impound 52,000 vehicles a year. It is estimated that Philadelphia has as many as 400,000 unregistered or uninsured vehicles. For the first six months of 1998, when a police officer stops a motorist for a moving violation and discovers that the vehicle is unregistered or uninsured, he will call the radio room at his head- quarters. From there the call will be routed to Traffic Court, which will alert a private tow truck company. The tow truck will then haul the car to an impounding area. The owner will be given a 30 day period to insure or register the vehicle. If he can't afford either, the vehicle will be sold at auction. Pennsylvania has the country's highest vehicle registration fees by far. The main reason is the new emission-testing program. A recent sample of 51 local garages found the charges for a pollution and safety inspection to average of $69.00. The next most expensive program is in California and averages out at around $60.00. Car insurance for a middle aged driver owning a 1989 Ford in Philadelphia is around $2,000.00. That is providing the motorist has no previous accidents or tickets. Pennsylvania's new inspection program began Oct. 1, 1997. It relies on private garages and uses a treadmill-like dynamometer to measure exhaust fumes. Garages have invested between $31,000 and $50,000 in the new equipment and PennDot officials concede that there is pressure for them to recoup their investment. Lance Haver, the educational director of the Consumers Education & Protective Association, said he opposes the program because it makes the police department serve as collection agents for the insurance industry. Each year, scores of innocent pedestrians and motorists are injured and even killed by police cars speeding after motorists who have committed traffic infractions. Mr. Haver believes this new program is likely to increase these chases. He feels motorists will simply refuse to stop for police if they are about to have their car confiscated. City Councilman Rich Mariano, who was instrumental in speeding up the pilot program, is confident the program will reduce the number of uninsured and unregistered cars. When asked if the insurance companies fail to lower rates as he expects, he responded, "Well then, we'll get our friends in the state legislature to do it." Mariano's confidence in insurance rate reductions is not supported by recent past experiences, however. Last year, Philadelphia's District Attorney Lynn Abraham, announced a crack down on Philadelphia residents who portray themselves as non-city residents to pay lower insurance. Violators were threatened with stiff fines and arrest if found guilty. Despite thousands of citizens subsequently applying for the far more expensive Philadelphia insurance, not a single insurance company has lowered their car insurance rates. Car confiscation plans have been in the works for year. On Wed., September 24, 1975, U.S. Secretary of Transportation William T. Coleman made the following comment to members of the American Automobile Association at the Bellevue-Stratford in Philadelphia. ** "Americans may have to get used to the idea that their right to a private car is NO LONGER ABSOLUTE."** Ironically this January in Philadelphia, the very same city where Secretary Coleman questioned the right of the individual to own a private car back in 1975, the City Council will begin confiscating the vehicles from people who, for the most part, simply can't afford the exorbitant cost of insurance. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00023 Date: 01/06/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 01:55pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Monza Diagnosis -=> No one has guessed correctly on the Monza yet. <=- The Monza seemed to be more cold natured in the morning recently. I had already advanced the timing a little and richened the choke a notch. This helped but it still feels a little sluggish. Care to make a stab at the problem, which I just recently found? It's a 1975 Monza with the 350 and a Holley carb on a Performer intake. Other than that it is nearly stock, with single exhaust and automatic transmission. ... I'll post the results in a few more days. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00024 Date: 01/06/98 From: JOHN RANGER Time: 09:34am \/To: JAY EMRIE (Read 0 times) Subj: ....ooooh the fun of dis JAY EMRIE wrote in a message to JOHN RANGER: JE> I'd suggest you not be so touchy. YOU, my friend, are the one that JE> started this tit for tat by giving me a sarcastic, derogatory reply JE> to my logical response to your first message. As of this message, as JE> far as I am concerned verbal fighting between us is over - kaput - JE> finished. Yes..I just moved it to net mail! ...except for this... JE> IF and WHEN anybody puts you down because you are Italian, just JE> remember that whatever race they may be, they are no better nor JE> worse than you. JE> Let's see. I'm English, Scotch, Irish, German, Dutch, French, JE> Spanish, and Indian (Cree) (not necessarily in that order). Some of JE> my ancestors really got around! JE> However, my race or races (GRIN) doesn't make me any better or worse JE> than any one else. you have NO sense of humor, I like that in a drone. JR> *********************** John aka RANGER *************************** JR>> Quit Crying! Stand up and Be a MAN, Like Elenor Rosevelt! ....at least you have a future in Advertising.... *********************** John aka RANGER *************************** ..I see you have the ring, and your Schwartz is as big as mine * Origin: Fight AIDS, not PEOPLE with AIDS....KBC-BBS (1:260/310.4) --- Squish v1.10 * Origin: -=:[ KBC Point 4 ]:=- (1:260/310.4) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00025 Date: 01/06/98 From: JOHN RANGER Time: 09:46am \/To: RONNIE THOMPSON (Read 0 times) Subj: ....walkin 'round IN WOME Ronnie Thompson wrote in a message to John Ranger: JR> What would happen if a small ceramic heater were placed in the car to JR> keep it warm if it had to be someplace where it just couldn't be moved JR> out of the way? JR> Would there be any fumes that could ignite? RT> Don't know about that since I've never used a ceramic heater. They make NO fumes but throw out a LOT of heat. a small unit with not even a few minutes of operation time could make the inside of a buried car Very toasty. RT> Don't really know that I'd want my car to be that warm if the RT> outside was freezing cold, not unless I KNEW I'd be using it that RT> day. You have NEVER been here, have you. This city is strangely situated in the Snow Belt. A line that cuts right across the area and they had to build this city here in it. BOY, they were stupid then... A car is a "Necessity" in a place like this where oddly, down state by just 20 miles, they are in hill country and it's Very rural but when the snow hits here, They LAUGH! JR> This also answers a rather side ways thinking question...( but good JR> one) WHERE is the power to come from? RT> Guess you could have an extention cord run to it, but on heaters RT> that draw a lot of energy, that may not be a good idea either. again the point about aux. electric outlets. I think even a spare battery in a car would be a good idea for reasons like this. RT> ... It is only those who do nothing who make no mistakes. oooo....I Like that! ^ MINE! *********************** John aka RANGER *************************** > Gee Mr. Douglas, I'seen People with that in there, jus none lived like you * Origin: Fight AIDS, not PEOPLE with AIDS....KBC-BBS (1:260/310.4) --- Squish v1.10 * Origin: -=:[ KBC Point 4 ]:=- (1:260/310.4) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00026 Date: 01/06/98 From: JOHN RANGER Time: 09:41am \/To: JOHN FAERBER (Read 0 times) Subj: It "DIED!" John Faerber wrote in a message to John Ranger: JR> last night, my car died for a whole 2 minutes. JF> What make and year of car do you have? This info would help out! It's a 86 Bonniville...what a Mechanic friend of mine says is the DNA Experiment of the fleet. Ity did it again just in the last couple of days and now I think I see something here.. I was in a parking lot and had just come in off a hour + drive. No problems thru the drive at all. When I finished and got in the car, I put the key in and started, and it for a second,...Went DARK...and came right back, started and has not done this again at least for the last two days. Is there something in the switch mechs of the Key assembly of the Steering columb that would have this kind off effect that a short or break would let the key BUZZZ while robbing everything else of power? *********************** John aka RANGER *************************** > and remember, Ruth is stranger than Friction! * Origin: Fight AIDS, not PEOPLE with AIDS....KBC-BBS (1:260/310.4) --- Squish v1.10 * Origin: -=:[ KBC Point 4 ]:=- (1:260/310.4) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00027 Date: 01/06/98 From: ROY J. TELLASON Time: 10:49pm \/To: ALAN MORRISON (Read 0 times) Subj: Ahh, humor Alan Morrison wrote in a message to Roy J. Tellason: -=> Quoting Roy J. Tellason to Alan Morrison <=- AM> 6. The oil, engine, gas and alternator lights would be AM> replaced with a single "General Car Fault" warning light. RJT> Good stuff, there. On this one, aren't they doing that to some RJT> exent now? What the hell is an "Engine" light telling me, anyhow? AM> If a passenger inquires what a CHECK ENGINE light means, ask AM> them to go look and see if it's still there. ;^) Is that with or without stopping first? :-) email: roy.j.tellason%tanstaaf@frackit.com --- * Origin: TANSTAAFL BBS 717-432-0764 (1:270/615) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00028 Date: 01/05/98 From: MARC GERGES Time: 09:59am \/To: BILL MITCHELL (Read 0 times) Subj: REVERSE QUESTION Salut Bill! MG> slide, look for a nice object to crash into, do everything MG> except going on and pulling your hand brake believing it will MG> get you out of the trouble. BM> You know, I come from what's called "the old school", while driving BM> or riding a bike, I don't believe in relying on brakes in any BM> fashion. So you must be awfully slow when going around bends? BM> I even have an old flat track racing bike which cannot be BM> ridden on the street because it HAS NO BRAKES. Uh-oh. :) BM> But let's drop this BM> "What I'd do if this happens", let's discuss a real world fiasco. BM> Have you ever had a complete brake failure in an auto, which is BM> kinda hard to have with the dual master cylinders in use for the BM> last 30 years? No, I didn't. I had although at a security training a simulated brake ilure. BM> And if you've had such a failure, what was your experience? Did BM> you find something convienent to crash into while completely BM> ignoring your "parking brake"? Yes, at that simulation I came to stop without braking. Those in the group that used the emergency brake came in bad trouble, as it was in a bend and pulling the emergency brake going on the back wheels wasn't really a good idea. :) BM> What would you do if you were approaching a crossing guard, BM> holding a stop sign and assisting school children across an BM> intersection, and your brake pedal went to the floor and BM> NOTHING!?? Mind you, I only mean going about 20 mph (27kmph) in BM> an old American station wagon (about 4500 lbs or 2045kg.). BM> That did happen to me, and the emergency brake did help me stop it, BM> without loss of life, limb and no property damage. It did it's job, BM> as both designed and required to. I consider this an enormously seldom situation, but indeed the emergency brake might have been helpful there. My reaction is to engage the lowest gear possible to brake the car and only use the emergency brake for the last few meters. cu .\\arc ...The Disk Crash BBS - now with 360K Online --- * Origin: sympathy for the debil (2:270/47) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00029 Date: 01/05/98 From: MARC GERGES Time: 10:07am \/To: TOBIAS HEUER (Read 0 times) Subj: Forced Induction Salut Tobias! KH>> It has enough power, a decent suspension and not too much weight, KH>> so MG>> it is big fun as soon as the road bends, and if it's still capable to KH>> stay MG>in sight of the big V8 car, there seem to me a lot of KH>> reasons to prefer it.. KH>> Reasons for you to prefer it, not me. My car does not handle KH>> badly, drive one, you may be surprised. > In fact I never drove one of those big US monsters, I'll definitely have to > try. TH> Wo wohnst du noch mal? Luxembourg. KH>> and braking 60-0 MPH in 112 feet is good all around performance. > 112 feet? Either my convertion chart from feet to meters is wrong or your > car breaks better than every Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren available... TH> I has an anti-gravity generator.... That explains :-) KH>> For a under $1000 in mods these stats have been KH>> improved as well, the car is .5 faster in the 1/4 mile, handles KH>> better, and should be able to hit 160mph now. You can listen to KH>> the little 4 banger wheeze, strain, and whine. I prefer the V8s KH>> deep tune a bit more. Also lets talk gas mileage. What is the KH>> advantage of a 4 banger when a V8 gets just as good gas mileage? > Mmmmh... the 98 Firebird gives in the ECE-test 14,3l. That's 16.3mpg. The > Eclipse's number is 9,7, corresponding to 24,7. TH> The americans usually measure their mileage driving straight ahead TH> on the highway with decent speeds. Mmmmh... it's a nice way to measure if you want low measurements. :) TH> Two weeks ago I drove to Hildesheim and back to Wolfenbuettel (60km TH> one- way) 2 times that day (don't ask me why ;) mostly over the TH> Autobahn. One time I took my car, a 1984 Chevy Caprice Wagon with a TH> 5Litre V8 (carbed!), switched on the CruiseControl as I reached TH> 100km/h (60mph), and enjoyed the ride. TH> The other time I took our 'family-car', a 1996 Fiat Bravo with its TH> 1,4l 4Cylinder-Engine 75hp (DIN). Due to bad weather I drove just TH> about 100km/h too. TH> AND believe me or not the Bravo took MORE Gas for the way... Some ideas: - Cruise control is great to save fuel... give 1 l/100 km to that one. - due to the bad weather, you used lights, wiper, rear window defroster etc. in the Bravo. - you weren't driving very constant in the rain, as many people switched the lanes. In the exactly right conditions the Bravo will use less fuel... it's ysics. TH> BUT in city driving where my car hits the 20litres/100km easiely, TH> the Bravo does it with max. 10litres. Normal. cu .\\arc ...The secret of flying is to throw yourself at the ground and miss. --- * Origin: sympathy for the debil (2:270/47) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1B00030 Date: 01/06/98 From: KENNY HENDERSON Time: 11:17pm \/To: MARC GERGES (Read 0 times) Subj: Forced Induction MG> AM> BTW, the newer F-bodies and Corvettes are all-aluminum as are many MG> AM> other V8's such as the Cadillac Northstar and Oldsmobile Aurora. MG>The Northstar is known as quite a good engine here. The Oldsmobile isn't MG>sold here. The Corvette's engine is appreciated here as being nice but MG>old-fashioned. The typical euro V8 is an expensive engine, but with 4 alve MG>heads, 4 cam shafts etc. The LT1 is old fashioned, but running mid 13s with stock gears, a cat-back exhaust, K&N air filter, and BFG Drag Radials (street legal) with an automatic demands respect. --- * OLX 2.1 TD * There, I've said it. I feel better. --Death. --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: Fresh Start BBS * Edison NJ * (732) 248-1678 * (1:107/310.0)