Gary Critcher's Lotus 72 DVD

Gary is working on a DVD about the Lotus 72 and send from time to time info about how things are going to the group of avid fans waiting for it to be finished: 

*Hi all, thought I'd give you an update on what has been happening recently. *You may know that we filmed an interview with Herbie Blash back in March.* 

*Things have been a little quite since then, but it all starts up again tomorrow when we will be filming an interview with Dave 'Beaky' Sims who was a mechanic at Team Lotus all through the 60's up to 1971.* 

*Dave is currently in the UK on a very rare trip from his home in the U.S., so it's rare opportunity we have tomorrow!* 

** *My friend (and former Lotus Chief Mechanic) Bob Dance will be over after lunchtime to join in and I intend to film the both of them talking about working at Team Lotus in the 60s, which should be fun!* 

*This second set of filming is not specifically for the 72 video (Bob never worked on the car), in fact, I don't have a project in mind as yet for this footage, but just want to get it 'in the can' for the future, this is an opportunity too good to miss.* 

** *Lastly, can I put in a good word for the Grand Prix Mechanics Trust? They do good work for former mechanics that may have fallen on hard times or are ill, visit their website here* ; http://www.gpmechanicstrust.com/

If you're interested in buying the DVD when its ready drop Gary a line:

garycr@globalnet.co.uk

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Your Privacy is in Jeopardy

This coming week, Congress is set to take up another so-called "cybersecurity" bill, H.R. 3523, the "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011" (CISPA).

And this time, many of those who joined us to stop SOPA and PIPA are supporting this legislation. So only the immediate action of you and your fellow C4L members can help protect our privacy from the government's ever-expanding reach.

After our victory over SOPA/PIPA, I wrote to you in late February about the need to stay vigilant against Congress' attempts to assert more control over the Internet. 

Well, since then, Republicans and Democrats have introduced at least four major "cybersecurity" bills. Expanding government power is always bipartisan. 

CISPA, sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (MI-8), is promoted as a harmless bill that will enable voluntary "information sharing" between private corporations and government agencies in the name of "cybersecurity." 

Unfortunately, it would allow the transfer of vast amounts of data, including information like your Internet browsing history or email content, to any agency in the federal government, including non-civilian agencies such as the National Security Agency or the Department of Defense Cyber Command.

One major problem with these alleged "cybersecurity" bills is their overly broad focus on what information private companies are encouraged to share with federal agencies.

CISPA currently contains no incentive for private companies like Facebook or Google to remove personally identifiable information from data they share. In addition, the way this legislation is drafted, it currently overrides privacy presumptions found in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the Communications Act regarding the privacy of an individual's online communications and related records. Essentially, CISPA would deem all existing privacy laws null and void for "cybersecurity" purposes.

Once the government has this information, there are no meaningful restrictions on its use, as its only qualifier is that it must be related to "cybersecurity" or to protect "national security." As C4L members know too well, "national security" has become a catch-all excuse for government powergrabs since 9/11.

Finally, while the bill includes a requirement for the Director of National Intelligence's Inspector General to issue annual reports on how the government is using the information shared under the bill, such reports would only be provided to congressional intelligence committees. 

These reports would not constitute meaningful restrictions or do anything to dissuade the misuse of personal information shared under CISPA. As I hinted at earlier, unlike the January 18 "Internet blackout" over SOPA and PIPA, this time Internet giants like Facebook and Twitter are openly supporting CISPA, along with powerful special interest groups like the US Chamber of Commerce.

In other words, don't expect the cavalry to back us up on this one. And House Leadership is currently engaged in a full-court press effort to get your representative to support H.R. 3523.

Sources on the Hill have informed us of "members only" meetings, where representatives are being encouraged to vote for CISPA as a "national security" issue addressing a "credible" "cybersecurity threat."

I'm sure it's only a coincidence that this briefing comes conveniently just ahead of when the establishment wants to ram something through. In the face of such longshot odds, without your immediate action, I can't promise that we have even the slightest chance of beating back this egregious invasion of your privacy.

But, I've seen the power the liberty movement can have when it speaks out with a unified voice. And you better believe members of Congress have taken notice, too.

That’s why I hope you’ll contact Congress right away. Click here to find your representative’s information. And after you’ve contacted Congress, please forward this email to at least five friends or family members encouraging them to do the same.

Finally, your chip-in contribution of at least $10 or $25 will help Campaign for Liberty mobilize as many Americans as possible to take action on critical issues like CISPA and other so-called "cybersecurity" bills that would strip more privacy away from Americans.

This fight won't have the glamour or media attention that SOPA and PIPA received, so please take action immediately and show Congress the liberty movement is serious about defending our constitutionally protected rights no matter the odds.

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The 3M plastic and emblem adhesive

Anyone out there got any suggestions on how to mount the "Super" emblems on my Hotshot? The posts are tiny, Fonda at Service Motors, suggested ear ring backs but they are too small. Anyone?

3M plastic and emblem adhesive number 08061 the pro!s choice. The push on clips are available, you may have to do a little searching. I will look in my stash to see if I have that size. There is usually a couple of vendors at larger car flea markets with collections of clips of all size. I'm sure someone has them online if you can figure out what to search for.

The 3M plastic and emblem adhesive will work, I used it on a Ford emblem that I could not easily get to the back of to attach right, but it tends to be permanent and you may regret it some day. I used some devices that come with military insignias and also typical things bikers put on their leather vests. Those that I have on my vest are very old and special to me so I replace the slip-on deals with 1/16 inch wheel collars that are used on my model air planes. They will hold em real well and can also be used on yer Crosley stuff.

See this site if you would like some............

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=airplanes+%3CB%3Ewheel%3C%2FB%3E+%3CB%3Ecol%3C%2FB%3Elars

The clips can be found, however if you can't find them, I recommend against any surface adhesive. Those emblems can be hard to replace, and tough to remove using an adhesive. I have used small balls of the 2 part dry epoxy on the inner surface over the pins with great success, Then if you want to remove them later, you can crush the epoxy with a pliers and remove the emblem. I have also attached and removed crests from the nose that way.

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Crosleys are addictive...

I first found out about Crosleys by finding a random 'hot rod' project for $200. The hot rod turned out to be a DYI plan built body built on all Crosley running gear. Then I bought a wagon to see what the stock one's were like, and then I found some extra engines...

I had been looking for a 37 Buick to restore for 10 years! I finally found one a few months ago, and then drove 400 miles to get it! I was ecstatic!!!!!  I just put the buick up on CL for $1800 to fund more Crosley parts and to try and maybe find a sedan somewhere.... When forced to choose which vehicle to sell to fund the others, it came down to one of the Crosleys, or my impossible to find Buick. The Buick lost. I am still honestly a little surprised myself... must be great cars.

I am sorry to inform you that you are probably afflicted with Rustycrosleyosis, a highly contaigous disease that afflicts most of us. If you search past entries on this board, you will find a more complete description of the disease. I have been telling people for years that Crosleys are still the Auto hobby's best bargain. You get more attention at shows, have more fun and are associated with the finest people on the planet. If you aren't already, may I recommend a membership in the Crosley Automobile Club as you will find even more leads to cars available from people you know there. Also please consider coming to the National show in July as you may find a car there but at least you will spend time with a fun loving group of people who love these little cars. Depending on where you live, you may also find that there is a regional show in your area to attend this summer or fall. Enjoy your cars and let us know how we can help!!!

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Leaking fuel Palio GTX ... problems still continue

The car is a 2002 Palio Sport 1.6L, So after 3 months i finally got the car back from the TASS in mangalore, and bill for 16,000rs. They said they had replaced the gear box and the clutch as well. When i saw the clutch i was so furious as it did not need changing as would be great for another 10-15,000kms. But either way i was happy to have my car back after so long. 

One week later the car stops starting. As i turn the key i hear a single click noise and the engine does not turn over. Starter problem. Also the tube that runs under the bonnet to the windshield fluid nozzle was broken so the driver side nozzle would not spray out and water. I take the car to a local mechanic and get a bill of 2400rs for starter rebuild and parts costs. WOW. Nozzle could not be repaired as the parts were not available

So now i go to fill petrol in the car and right when the fuel gets to the top it starts leaking from underneath. Leaking as in probably a good 2 or 3 liters, alot of fuel. Even now the petrol level is a little under half, i notice some leaking from under the car. 

Anyone experienced this problem before? Solutions? Also, anyone know a good mechanic in udupi/mangalore area that i can take the car to? As i dont trust the TASS anymore. Please help me out and let me know. 

Same problem of fuel leaking -- when full tank is happening with me. I have diagnosed it to be from the breather/overflow pipe and the leak area is at the joint where the 'metal pipe from petrol tank' connects to the breather pipe. There is a small rubber part/bush (with a collar) that has cracked (with time/ rubber has cracked) and that is what is causing the leak.

Now finding that is a bit difficult and hence did local arrangement of putting some other rubber as a bush to hold the pipe. The leakage has reduced by 95%.

Will take it to TASS/Service station to get it fully rectified.

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Mercedes V-6 diesel in Ford Van

Could someone say a little bit more about installing the Mercedes V6 diesel in the Ford vans? I have a 6.0l diesel in my 2006 E350, and I'm very unhappy with it. I'm especially interested in cost, fuel mileage, and the actual process.

All I know is that the previously mentioned install was difficult because the owner of the vehicle got only the engine and related electrical components. But he was originally told to get the entire donor vehicle because, apparently, there are computers and sensors throughout the engine/electrical/fuel (and God knows what else) systems that are integral and interdependent for proper function of the whole system. Have a big checkbook ready.

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M151 dilemma

I have a dilemma, I have an M151 (A0). The rear end had been torched to the point that I need to fit a total new rear end. (I just created an album called "John TX"). I can get a partial (ex factory) rear end but it is for the M151 A2. My question is whether this is a no-no. I want to restore it to "deployment" status and not factory condition. So the question is would a repair facility in the military have done this retrofit. I am hoping not to modify the A2 rear to match (A0/A1). 

Well I would say there is no text book answer. If you want to make it deployment ready and not year and model correct I would say it would not be unusual that you would find mixed parts like that. When I did my A1 a while ago I used some A2 parts cause they were what I wanted. I did the A1 stuff as well so it was a simple matter of parts change. But the wiring harness I used an A2 harness. When you go to war you use what you have so that would be normal to have subsitutions like that.

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Roof racks and brush guards for Ford Van

Sometime you having trouble finding anybody who makes a good looking huge roof rack and a brush guard for your 4x4 Ford Van. Any suggestions?

Nothing cheap unless you assemble yourself. Custom or standard racks $500-800. You see at http://truckrackinc.com/default.htm and here, too, Brush bar & $1000 at http://www.aluminess.com/vans.htm

I also have a Kargomaster. Check at http://www.kargomaster.com/products/commercial-van-equipment/van-cargo-\rack-systems/heavy-duty-pro-ii-van-cargo-rack.html on may Chevy van. It attaches to the rain gutters so it would work on a Ford van as well. 

It is very sturdy. I put an old innner tube around the gutter clamps to try to keep it from buggering up my rain gutters.

The new one has a cool roller on the back to help get stuff on the roof. They are about $700. They have bars every 4' or so. It was less than idea for carrying stuff shorter that 4' so we decked it over. The deck is nice for sitting on at the beach or camping. We have put a tent up there.

I built a ladder that swings up so you can get to the back doors. It is less than ideal so I will build a side ladder when I get around to it. We mostly use our van for driving on the beach so no brush bar is needed. 

That Kargomaster one is pretty good looking.

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