Top-5 V-6 engines according to . . . . (Re: Hagerty's enews)

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers with an interest in other types of internal combustion engines,

The folks at Hagerty's seem to have a bit too much time on their hands and thus dig up some surprising YouTube videos.  Here is the article link for the jet engine video in question:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/video/how-does-a-jet-engine-work-lets-look-inside/

The video is of a small turbojet engine with plastic sides which are tough enough to withstand the heat and pressure.  The demonstrations are quite amazing even if you aren't into jet engines.

https://youtu.be/MgL0GW248mE

As the Hagerty's author points out, jet engines are very different beasts from gasoline and Diesel engines.  It must be said, it appears that jet engines produce power in a manner that looks like a car engine working with the heads removed.  It turns out there is a very precise exploitation of gas dynamics and thermodynamics at work to make a jet engine produce power.  The crudest explanation is that the "head" which keeps the combustion inside the engine to power the plane is the constant compressing of air at the front of the jet engine.

If you want a more detailed explanation, there is another YouTube done by Lesics which explains the process with greater clarity and detail:

https://youtu.be/KjiUUJdPGX0

On the other hand, if all this physics goes over your head, just stick to your trusty Buick engine and you'll be fine! 

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Winter is in the wings, so some of us need to store our cars until the spring.  There is tons of advice on how to do this and Hagerty's has tossed in their own suggestions:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/4-critical-items-to-get-ready-for-winter-storage/

There were a few ideas in this piece that had not occurred to me such as making sure the gas tank is full.  It is certainly a quick read.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers in need of some light reading,

The "holidaze" are in full swing and automotive-related news is taking a back seat to all the lunacy.  If you need a dose of some "car-guy" news, Hagerty's has a piece on heated windshields on their website:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/a-brief-history-of-the-heated-windshield/

It is definitely lightweight, but perhaps it will scratch that itch . . . . .

Cheers, Edouard

[option B9]

   Hi Edouard, I read the Hagerty news story. Very interesting, I did not know that they even had such a thing. Since I live in NY I can honestly say that I never really had a problem defrosting my windshield after a ice storm/snow storm. You just need to plan ahead by keeping your engine and heating system at peak efficiency so the heater core & blower motor can push out the heat once the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
  You must also give yourself additional time to clear the vehicle of snow and time for the engine to create enough heat to defrost the ice so you can clearly see out  before you put in drive and pull away. 
 
       Safety First

           Tony

[WkillGS]

   I had to read it since I was in a related industry, primarily heated display panels. The heated display works both as a defogger to raise the temperature above the dew point, and in extreme temps as a defroster. That is a very important feature when the displays are being used in aviation and military applications.
   Since the gold-coated windshields used in the 1980's, the optics industry changed to other TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide) films, primarily Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO). Gold had the disadvantage of reducing transmission of light and therefore visibility. ITO can be combined with layers of other materials to improve visibility much like the anti-reflection coatings on eyeglasses. It certainly reduced the cost over gold and performed better.
   While the film-coated heaters worked well for smaller panels they weren't up to heating large glass such as a windshield. Hence, the embedded wires used in today's heated glass.
   

[elagache]

Dear Tony, Walt, and mid-60s Buick caregivers who don't want to get being too cool! 

I'm glad that you both found the article interesting.  As Walt points out, it is clearly a daunting technological challenge that hasn't been fully resolved.  Tony you offer some sage wisdom.  These days too many people insist that they can force nature into their schedule.  Quite the contrary, if you don't respect the power of nature and take the necessary precautions, sooner or later you will regret it.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers in need of a little distraction,

As already noted, new automotive-related material is hard to come by this week.  This morning Hagerty's decided to revisit their piece on the humble jerrycan:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/jerrycan-design-80-years-no-signs-retirement/

Even if I read it only 2 years ago, I had forgotten enough to enjoy reading it again.  So if you need a feel-good piece with just enough of twist in the plot to make it interesting, I think you'll also enjoy reading this one twice.

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers who enjoy a good detective story,

Hagerty's has a good story about a seemingly straightforward carburetor repair that turned out to require a bit of detective work:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/mechanical-sympathy/the-curious-case-of-the-sno-runner-carburetor/

It is an enjoyable bit of "car guy" reading distraction.

Cheers, Edouard

[GS66]

Speaking of weird  snow machines did you see this at Unique!  https://www.uniqueclassiccars.com/vehicles/3845/1960-trail-a-sled-air-sled-4-passenger

[elagache]

Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick caregivers can be occasionally competitive,

Speaking of weird  snow machines did you see this at Unique!  https://www.uniqueclassiccars.com/vehicles/3845/1960-trail-a-sled-air-sled-4-passenger

Ya' know, that's definitely Unique alright!  That's so darn unique . . what on earth are they doing to do for an encore?!?? 

Cheers, Edouard 

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Rob Siegel has a piece on Hagerty's website with suggestions on what to check before getting your classic out on the road for the first time this spring:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/11-checks-to-make-before-your-first-springtime-drive/

Most of it is common sense, but it isn't a bad piece to read as a reminder of what to look for.

Cheers, Edouard

[Jimbo]

Went yesterday morning to pick up my Skylark from storage. Everything went smooth.

[red65gs]

Good reminders. Thanks, Eduoard!

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers with a taste for automotive trivia,

Hagerty's has a curious piece on an experimental tire material developed by Goodyear called Neothane.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/why-goodyears-bright-idea-for-illuminated-tires-didnt-shine-for-long/

It is a quick read and certainly something to add to your collection of automotive trivia

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers with a soft spot for woodies,

Lowell Paddock has a piece on the Hagerty's website describing the history of cars constructed with wood:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/a-century-on-wood-sided-cars-are-still-stylin/

There are some interesting snippets about the early history of wood construction that I wasn't aware of.  For example, I didn't know that vehicles that would be later called "station wagons" were first called "depot hacks".  Personally, I'm very glad that the name got changed!

Enjoy the read!

Edouard