Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:19:32 -0700
Reply-To: Angus Gordon <birdworks@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Angus Gordon <birdworks@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Roll your own...
In-Reply-To: <CAGXJJtwLtNgUhp6V5VCUahsigDSuJc+B31M0QVM+HHsq-w+M7A@mail.gmail.com>
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Hello Steven,
You're certainly correct that this repair method is not a shining example of automotive engineering purity. I do better at my day job.
That said, it was a lot more robust than what VW's engineers came up with. :)
The cooling system actually looks pretty clean, still has the original radiator. Perhaps it acted like a sort of multi-vitamin? All those diverse elements complimenting one another? aBell Labs and Felder Industries will no doubt capitalize on this concept, which I gladly place in the public domain.
Angus
> On Jul 31, 2014, at 9:51 AM, Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> All fun aside, I would be more concerned about what contaminants from said
> hardware
> store pieces parts would contribute to the system. That said, 15 years is
> a long time
> assuming no other mishaps have occurred from above mentioned potential
> contaminants....
>
> Steven
> 91 Westy
>
>
>
>> On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 8:33 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> *shuffles out, dirty glances to embarrassed looking attorney*
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 10:30 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <
>> camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Jim, Angus's design is highly-functional, attractive, and elegant. For
>>> these reasons, it clearly wasn't lifted from FI. The court finds in favor
>>> of the defendant.
>>>
>>> Next case, please.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Hizzoner Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
>>> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
>>> Bend, Ore.
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 07/31/2014 08:27 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
>>>>
>>>> So, you've been flying a picture-taking drone over Felder Industries? I
>>>> smell an intellectual property lawsuit...
>>>>
>>>> Jim
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 10:21 AM, Angus Gordon <birdworks@gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> It's pretty much all Alistair's fault. If you follow his blog you know
>>>>> what I mean - all these nifty little parts carefully crafted out of
>>>>> stainless steel adorning his Syncro. His cooling system pH adjusted and
>>>>> electrolytically neutralized to prevent stray electrons from damaging
>> the
>>>>> framus. I've come to realize that my syncro represents the antithesis
>> of
>>>>> that approach.
>>>>>
>>>>> So a while back I was putting together an engine to install in it and
>>>>> decided that I really needed to start scraping the rust and grime off
>>>>> things and see if I couldn't make it look nice, as well as function.
>>>>> Here's
>>>>> the result before it went into the syncro -
>>>>>
>>>>> http://birdworks.tumblr.com/post/92103590505
>>>>>
>>>>> Next, I looked around and couldn't find a single item made of stainless
>>>>> steel on my entire vehicle. Lacking an endless stock of stainless in
>> the
>>>>> shop, along with the machining capabilities to do anything with it, I
>> was
>>>>> left with only one option - order a part from GoWesty.
>>>>>
>>>>> Not that I really needed a part of course; the part I selected was
>> still
>>>>> functioning just fine. I just needed some stainless steel.
>>>>>
>>>>> Back in 1999, according to my records, the plastic coolant distribution
>>>>> piece disintegrated after 13 years of service in my syncro. Being cheap
>>>>> and
>>>>> not willing to be stranded waiting for a part, I went to a nearby
>>>>> hardware
>>>>> store and assembled my own with about twenty minutes work in the
>> plumbing
>>>>> department. Consisting of cast iron, steel, brass, copper, nylon and
>>>>> teflon, it may not impress the coolant system purists, but it did work
>>>>> fine
>>>>> for 15 years. Maybe I'll keep it as a spare.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://birdworks.tumblr.com/post/93405664090
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Angus
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>
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