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    Blinded by the light.

    Totally agree with the poster above who said that if a vehicles headlights are properly adjusted they won't blind oncoming vehicles. Fog lights are another story. One of the (many) positive things about driving in Germany during the 11 years I was stationed there while in the Army is driving...
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    Should turbos be avoided for longevity?

    On a turbocharged gasoline engine, reasonable cool down time before shut off is key. Some turbocharged gas engines have water cooled central bearings which help reduce the cool down time, but most don't. If one stops after a hard run, like right off a fast road or highway and immediately shut...
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    Ford GAA 1100 Cubic Inch WW2 Tank Engine

    Actually, from what I've read, Ford lost the aircraft engine contract to Allison due to logistics concerns; parts and a logistics system for Allison aircraft engines were already in place, albeit for an earlier model powerplant. The newer Allison V12 was an evolution of an existing design. At...
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    Ford GAA 1100 Cubic Inch WW2 Tank Engine

    The engine's ignition was all magneto, and the cams were completely gear driven. I disagree with the complexity argument, as Chryslers 331 CI original hemi was itself rather complex, and was never really a high volume motor, offered only in higher end Chryslers, and spin-off's in select Dodges...
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    Ford GAA 1100 Cubic Inch WW2 Tank Engine

    This is a picture of the Ford GAA, 1100 cubic inch tank engine used in some Sherman tanks, and in some newer tanks during WW2. It was an all aluminum block and cylinder head, double overhead cam, 4 valve per cylinder monster of a V8. It produced "only" around 500 hp due primarily to it's very...
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    2016 Ram 1500 Hemi towing impressions

    Good comments. I had a 2017 Ram 1500 that was equipped with the 4 corner air suspension. That truck towed my 20' enclosed utility trailer flawlessly. Extremely stable. What was most impressive, the air suspension automatically added pressure to the rear bags when loading the trailer so there was...
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    06 Jetta PD TDI cam replacement

    Good work, but on an unfortunately flawed engine. I had an 06 PD Jetta. Great car that returned really good fuel economy, in the 50 mpg range on the highway. The clutch on mine started getting grabby at about 10K miles. I researched, and found that the dual mass flywheel was under a world wide...
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    I-95 NY - FL and back observations..

    Back in the 70's Pedro's on I95 was hoppin. Now it's a ghost of it's former self, but all the irritating signs are still on the interstate.
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    I-95 NY - FL and back observations..

    Lived in N. Va for many a year and drove I95 back and forth to a vacation home, then permanent home, on a lake in northern North Carolina. Yes, I95 between DC and Richmond during the summer months is typically a nightmare. Once south of Richmond, traffic eases, and the stress goes with it. Two...
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    The love/hate relationship with German cars

    Have owned three different brands of German cars, and drove another extensively. Owned a BMW, Porsche, and VW, and drove a German market Ford while stationed there when active duty. Of those I would not hesitate to own another Porsche or BMW given available funds. Both beautifully made vehicles...
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    I needed an ice scraper this morning

    Using a credit card brings back a memory. Was on travel to the St. Louis area some years ago. Went out the evening prior with a few friends and had a bit too much to drink (wasn't driving). Woke up with a classic "tomahawk" to 4 degrees F, a 20 mph wind, a too thin coat only to find the rental...
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    Amber or Red rear turn signals....

    Lived and drove for 11 years in Germany while stationed there in the Army. Got VERY accustomed to the amber turn signals which were mandatory in Germany, and throughout Europe I believe. Back here in the US the red turn signals are a bit annoying IMO only from the fact that in some situations...
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    German cars better fasteners?

    Never said they all were one time use. When I changed the clutch on that Jetta, I used the service manual which specifically called out which bolts were one time use, and which were not.
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    German cars better fasteners?

    In addition to one time use, stretch bolts, VW just loves triple square, allen style bolts. When I changed the clutch on a Vetta I had several years ago had to source a number of metric triple square allen sockets. They do hold the tool bit more securely making it almost impossible to strip, but...
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    Biggest and smallest Vehicles you have owned?

    Smallest was probably a 1980 Mazda RX-7. Largest would be a toss up between a 1972 Dodge Tradesman 200 long wheelbase van, and a 2012 Ram 3500 crew cab long bed 4x4 pickup.
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    Veey bright headlights

    I have to agree when it comes to most US vehicles. The issues I've had with fog lights on in clear weather are those driving lifted pickups with the fog lights on in clear conditions. Their fog lights are almost at eye level, and as a result are terribly blinding to oncoming traffic. Also, those...
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    Veey bright headlights

    And that is another thing that made driving in Germany enjoyable. The police would ticket anyone who had fog lights on when conditions did not warrant, ie, in clear weather. The result was you never saw anyone who had them on when it wasn't foggy or rainy.
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    Old mobil 1 bottle

    Good searching. The wall poster, with either that T-shirt or another similar with fresh hand prints worn by an attractive young woman was what caught my eye back in the day. The good news is I haven't seen oil that black come from a gasoline engine since I watched my dad change oil on his 55...
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    Old mobil 1 bottle

    Remember an old Valvoline poster I saw hanging in a shop I used to frequent when oil in cans was disappearing. Had a picture of a busty woman wearing a white T-shirt with a black oily hand print on each breast with the words:" Real men don't change oil from plastic bottles". No amount of...
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    Veey bright headlights

    This is where the sharp cut off on European headlights benefits IMO. You can easily see that the direct illumination cuts off in the middle of the trunk on a vehicle directly in front of you, and below their rear view mirrors on properly adjusted E code headlights. That cut off gets lower the...
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