CSM

Yeah, NOx is an issue, but "carbon" is also an issue. And the EPA hasn't shown itself to be a wonderful glowing center of knowledge, good judgement, and wisdom. I hate the EPA, bunch of worthless bureaucrats that do nothing for the environment.

http://www.dieselnet.com/news/2013/01epa.php

I had to go to Forum Actions up on the top bar. Then down to General Settings.

ISX. You are a smart guy. You are very independent. You are a hard worker. I really hope your health issues get worked out, those sure can be expensive in many ways. School can too. And its frustrating that you see inefficiency and waste in your textbooks, classes, other students, and professors. I felt that way too, both as a civilian and in the military world. Thankfully, i tend to not see that sort of thing in the oilfield as much. Calc is different... but worth understanding. Its a foundational part of everything that will be done later. I urge you to focus on one thing. You have to do whats best for youreself. You are smart enough to realize that you have to live for yourself and that in our society we place a lot of value on that piece of paper. Your goals are similar to what mine were when I wanted to be an engineer. I wanted to build things. I thought mechanical engineers built things after learning all about mechanical design and whatnot... Turns out, that that sort of thing is mainly done by design engineering managers at best, and really, most of it is done on computer and through an iterative process that can be quite boring because of the small scope of most jobs. Most guys don't even get more than engineering studies while they learn the ropes right out of school. Don't get me wrong though! Engineering can be really really fun! I really enjoy my job as a Fracturing Engineer and I get to make things happen with my engineering mind that makes oil and gas wells produce better. My point here is that I think like an engineer and I have the basic skills. Those basic fundamental calc/physics/math skills are what got my foot in the door. After that, I got the necessary certs, skills, and experience to make myself an expert in my niche in the oil business. Now, I sell that experience. I understand ops and I sell my specialist skills consulting on special topics and my ops plus engineering skills are essential. I guess I get the feeling you are frustrated with the process. The process may suck, but its the process that society has. Some classes really suck. If its best for what you want to do in life, get that degree! It will open doors in jobs that will give you the chance to really do some real engineering and project management. School can also be frustrating. And you may have to evaluate the resources, time, etc you have, and do what it takes to meet your goals. I struggled through Algebra and Calc I. I failed economics. I really struggled in Chemistry. I only made it through those first two years with lots and lots of work and support from family and help from the professors that were willing to help and the free tutoring centers at school. Be aware that you may not get that cool job in an R&D shop at Caterpillar out of college. You may get an offer at Pratt & Whitney or GE working on control systems for turbine engines or wind turbines. But, that sort of thing can be quite fun and rewarding in its own right, and you can get into that technology way deeper than diesels, and still play with trucks with your new found skills and tools at that point. Good Luck ISX. None of this was ment to be condecending at all, and I hope it comes off as helpful and encouraging.

May not be beautiful to all as its just a run of the mill underpowered Kenworth... but this one is beautiful to me. I was the oversight and manager in designing and building the pump on the back of it. Me, some soapstone, a pile of money, a couple old rig welders, an Electronics Tech, and some patient mechanics.

What fix do we have but to defend ourselves? If you believe that the majority of people are good deep down or if you believe that the majority at least will stand up for basic right and wrong (like don't kill kids and help each other). Then, I would say that I would rather have a nation of people that are vigilant and at least able (if they choose) to defend themselves and their families. The police response time to almost any violence is inadequate to do much preventing. I grew up rural. We have had stuff stolen from our family farm. We have no reasonable response time for police or county sheriff. If someone tried to break in and harm my family, their only recourse other than hide and pray for mercy and grace is to be armed. We have a right to our defense. This right is in the spirit of the 2nd Amendment. So whats the solution? Working from these points: 1. We can't change the stupid or crazy people near term or mabe even at all. Though we should try to stop them at the psychological level. They should be flagged and in this case and in the Aurora case, there were red flags that were not acted upon. 2. The bad guys obviously don't respect law or right and wrong. Gun Free zones in schools etc... yeah, those obviously didn't work too well. 3. The bad guys are resourceful, and will find ways to enact their violence, guns or not. I conclude, from my point of view... Our only reasonable solution that we could enact is to defend ourselves, as gun legislation will be ineffective in stemming such people. How that is done, is up to the individual. Options are armed guards, hardening places and adding security that will likely be bypassed by creative evil people, or arming individuals with the proper mindset, attitude, and training. Last line of your post: I am not sure I understand the question you pose though. I don't disagree that healthcare needed fixing. I still hold that it needs fixing though, I feel that the Republican Congress, Senate, and Bush really sat on their laurels and did nothing to deal with this when they had the chance. So they really don't have a lot of room to complain about inaction. The way it has been implemented, much like the rest of our society, is unsustainable. We just plain can't afford what we are trying to do in the way it is implemented. The DOD is a good example. Our warfighting capability (per corrected dollar) has decreased since the Carter administration due to a bloated bureaucracy and mismanagement while the DOD budget has SOARED. The Government needs an administrative and functional overhaul in how they manage money. The guys on the front lines are doing their jobs, but the guys in back and the guys in Washington really aren't.

Jon, With all due respect, and you are a cool dude, despite our differences in politics. However... I feel compelled to write this up. (sorry for the drive by again, but I will try to check in on this)Without discussing the details of violence in the UK and Australia, which do not equate to the U.S. and where other forms of violence as practiced there should be considered before passing judgement on the success of what their governments put in place... I love the USA, I love our Freedoms, and many many people here have made it many years without even having to get into a physical altercation with another. And yes, the Constitution is not a suicide pact. I love the fact that we can defend our freedoms and have in the past domestically through elections, court decisions, and by the Grace of God. And I love that we've protected our freedom on a global scale, through the efforts of our military, our missionaries, and our way of life. We are a beacon of freedom and justice. That all said. The very concept of being defenseless and unable to bring force to defend myself, my family, and my country is disgusting. Recent examples of a national (hurricane sandy, kitrina, etc) or local calamity (break in, assault, etc) where there is no real rule of law, or respect of it are many. As a matter of fact, I find unprotected and unguarded "gun free" zones to be dangerous, as they are prime targets for ________ like that kid in CT. And if you believe that the lack of guns in circulation will keep us safe, they won't. Much like TSA, they will only make you feel safe... And chances are, just like now, you will never have a gun brought to bear on you in anger. Consider this, men will kill, and wholesale, armed with guns or not. I cite the 1927 school bombing, and the OKC bombings. Gun control is feel good politics, and does nothing to combat the near term or mid term violence, and usually creates a large spike in gun violence. Long term... Perhaps, but at what cost?ps. if this was discussed earlier, sorry I missed it.

There is a switch you can rig up. However, I found that it threw a lot of codes on my trans. I will try to recall where that write up is for it. I want to say TST had it on their site somewhere. ATS has a "pilot" system that they sell but its pricey. You also may want to look into whether or not your converter will have 1) line pressure and 2) enough clutch to hold and not slip when using the brake.

Also good points. The martial law / police state part is where I left it as an option. And some would like that, even on a limited basis. TSA for example. However, I don't think a full police state is on the table due to financial reasons alone. It would be impossible to implement in the U.S. Even in a relatively small country in Europe, it would be near impossible. The standardized training idea is good. And I can't speak to it now, but there is a group with practical, financial, and legal backing that is moving toward something like that for teachers. Something very similar to the FFDO (Federal Flight Deck Officer) program that has been very safe and effective by training and recurrency training airline pilots with handguns and giving them jurisdiction over their cockpits.

Thus far, I have avoided discussion here of this topic. However, I bring a few points in summary of what I see of the discussion. [*]We have a problem with nut jobs more or less deciding "life is a lie, go out with a bang!" [*]The source of the cause of such nut jobs should be investigated, but that will unlikely be anything of a fix in the near or even mid term timeline. [*]We need to make changes to find a method to protect ourselves and our children from such public acts of violence in the future. [*]The current broad sweeping proposed gun control will most likely not have a significant effect on violence. For simplicity, I reference school bombings dating to 1927 and the fact that such deranged people will find alternatives to carry out their plans. [*]We must put effective barriers between the lawless and good folks. For my personal take on these points. Now, what those barriers are and how they are enacted, need to be discussed objectively by the people, educators, and branches of government. Function and near term results should be a priority for that discussion. We are not dealing with normal people or even normal criminals. That should be kept in perspective. We are dealing with people that are very patient, good planners, are intelligent, and are resourceful. Historically, as a country, when we were faced with lawless attacks with deadly force that occurred too rapidly for any local authorities or military force to effectively respond we did one thing. The law abiding citizens armed themselves for the common defense of themselves and their loved ones. Who these individuals are I am leaving to discussion. Options of teachers, volunteers, or properly qualified citizens would be potential options. The other effective alternative, which I see as impossible due to the massive scale required, and the massive cost, would be hardening schools and public places and setting up armed guards or a full time police force. The other downside of this, is that attackers are planners, and in most historical cases will cherry pick targets that are the most vulnerable. So in that sense, we would move from schools to parks, museums, malls, and movie theaters.

Hey now... Its big in the oilfield. We ain't exactly a suit & tie bunch. Its a nice non facebook way to keep track of a bunch of clients, coworkers, and former coworkers in a rapidly changing business. Its like a searchable resume poster of pretty much everybody I work with.

Good to hear positive news! I am also interested to know what failed so I can check it out, since our trucks are the same vintage.

So, you are saying that you are lowering rail pressure... and therefore burn rate of your fuel... which is allowing you to increase timing?

Think a reset button sounds fun? Go read 1 second after. Good book. Scary.

You would be making whats called a faraday cage... which really makes me wonder about how effective an emp would be against some things. Some trucks might be okay, I wonder if the bodies and even a grounded metal building would act as a faraday cage if properly grounded. I haven't seen any good evidence of how much energy will actually be reflected in an EMP... If anybody has any numbers, please share!

Aw, nice. Real power is always better than fake power.

Will your edge comp box work with the VE pump?

The Chinese are making a ton of money off of the rare earth metals though... Which we have lots of here in the Rockies but can't mine due to old EPA / BLM / USFS crap hanging over us.

Yeah, the "inventions" aren't exactly secret either. My old saturn sl2 gets 30+ mpg and runs like a top. The VW TDI diesels are very efficient, especially the older non DPF ones. I am sure tax revenue is important, but I think its just as key for "improvement" and that they must be percieved to be doing something. So they must keep pushing! Well, we have pretty damn clean air. Our waters sparkle. Our grass is green. Why keep pushing at such a MASSIVE cost when you are at the point of diminishing returns? Oh yeah, because its death by bureaucracy. Lets not look at results, lets not do something intelligent, lets just group ____ it. I love the outdoors, I love the trees, animals, forests, etc. I HATE THE EPA.

Someone gets it!

Think of the ******* polar bears man... Global warming MUST be considered! From one energy employee to another: F teh EPA and their asinine political policy.

Actually, it could be easily argued that the increase in .gov assistance in the form of everything from phones to foodstamps is just what the people wanted, and they want it for the people. More promises for free stuff, less restrictions on your morals and with a wishy washy sense of right and wrong = more votes. By the people, for the people... sure. The people have changed. This isn't 1980 America any longer, unfortunately.

Its not going well, thats for sure. So much for that bottle of scotch, it will have to wait a few more years. But, its still America. We still had a free election, and I am still at work today doing the best job I know how. I will still pray for our country, our leaders, our servicemen and women and our decisions. Its not over yet guys, though I don't look forward to paying the piper for the decisions that are made this term.

Well guys, theres a bottle of scotch nearby. It will be opened this week sometime, or in 4 years. If anybody is in the neighborhood at that time, (Parachute, CO this week) you are welcome to drop by if the electoral college votes in a new President. If they don't... Then hit me up in 4 years!

Interesting... I know the ABS speedo doesn't stay, but the 3cyl idle may. Worth a shot I guess.