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Showing posts from June 29, 2008

LavaCon 2026 and the future.

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LavaCon is a conference now going on 25 years. Its always fun at conferences where folks collaborate on what the future holds. This year I drove to Charlotte NC from Duluth GA to attend. I used the Tesla in Full Self Drive. I went park-to-park without touching the wheel for over 200 miles. It's crazy. I don't think most people understand how well it works. Lots of nay-sayers still, but it really does work. Be on guard, but enjoy. I spent some of my time "driving" while conversing with Grok as part of my daydreaming. I was discussing with Grok an idea I have of building a West system (cold molded) old style barrel-back runabout maybe 20 feet long- all varnished Mahogony. Of course this boat would have an exotic 12-cylinder engine under a transparent engine hatch between the twin cockpits. We discussed the designs, available actual study plans and pre-lofted design documents for the hull. We also discussed the best engine (perhaps a BMW N73) coupled with a Velvet Dri...
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It looks like I have to drive to Michigan. I did my homework. I have to go pick up my new lawn mower. It is a 2004 ExMark Commercial Lazer Z--60 inch deck with a 27 HP Kohler. It is rated at 4 acres per hour. It will do my front yard in 15 minutes! These things cost $10,000 new. I paid significantly less. What did we do before eBay.
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We got the pony motor to fire. That is enough to keep us going. I expect one more work session and we will have the diesel going after 30 yrs of slumber. Starting an old D6 like this has a real complex procedure. The basic steps are 1.)Get mony motor Running, choke, throttle, fuel shut off, out of gear. After the pony motor has warmed up for a minute or so continue. 2.)Open compression relief valve. 3.)Engage pony motor (may have two speed transmission, if so use high) 4.)After oil pressure rises turn on diesel fuel value, smoke appears. 5.)Close compression relief valve 6.) Cover ears!