Car Talk Topic

[epoxi]

Why would you want to use Polonium in a spark plug?

[dog_day_sunrise]

Why would you want to use Polonium in a spark plug?

A cursory googling indicates that the alpha particles from the radioactive decay ionised the air in the spark gap, meaning that current passed through it more readily and therefore creating a more powerful and "cleaner" spark.

[Telumektar]

Quoted from this page

 

 

The November 1941 issue of the Science Digest reported that tests had indicated that “30 percent fewer revolutions were required to start the motor as compared with other spark plugs.”  According to the company’s advertising, the sparkplugs resulted in a “smoother motor performance . . . faster pick-up . . . quicker starting . . . save more gasoline.”

 

That there was any real benefit to using these spark plugs is somewhat questionable (other than the improved performance you get whenever you install new plugs). First of all, the half-life of the polonium-210, 138 days, meant that any effectiveness would be short-lived. Second, the inevitable accumulation of deposits on the surface of the electrodes would attenuate the alpha particles and prevent them from doing their job.

[epoxi]

Thanks, so basically it was all a gimmick.

[jelly]

Of course. Remember, in the 50s, everything futuristic was 'atomic'. They were going to drive 'atomic cars' in ten or twenty years. I'm sure this caught some suckers in the web back then.

[ryuclan]

Given my position I wanted to let you guys know that if you need any wiring diagrams or workshop manuals for Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicles just shoot me a pm and Ill see what I can do. I know it might be a little out of place at the moment and nobody probably will ever need those things but if anyone is ever in need let me know.

[Lurch]

I haven't driven a car in a month. Think I'm having withdrawals. Driving a 75 foot long, 13 1/2 foot high, 8 1/2 foot wide, 80k lbs., 13 speed truck is a far cry away from my beamer.

[Illousion]

 

I haven't driven a car in a month. Think I'm having withdrawals. Driving a 75 foot long, 13 1/2 foot high, 8 1/2 foot wide, 80k lbs., 13 speed truck is a far cry away from my beamer.

What's it like?

--

I've been thinking lately about selling the Amazon this summer and working a little so that I can buy a late 60's full-size Chevrolet and use as a daily-driver when I turn 18. Why Chevrolet? Well, parts avalabillity is the only reason really. Like the Fords better, but gotta try to keep it at least somewhat practical. Is there anything in particular I should keep in mind? Do the late 60's Chevrolets have 2-point seatbelts or none at all? Powerglide or 350? Any info is appriciated.

[Pat]

You're killing me Illusion.

[unopescio]

I didnt even know there were different kinds of seatbelts.

[Kevin...]

I didnt even know there were different kinds of seatbelts.

No Seatbelts:

No image needed. Retards.

 

(lap belt) 2 point Seatbelts:

 

(standard belt system) 3 point Seatbelts:

 

(harness) 4 point Seatbelts:

 

(harness) 5 point Seatbelts:

[Illousion]

Hope you wont hate me for posting pics in this thread, just trying to liven it up. The pictures are from a garage where some US-car enthusiasts (and some guy building Nissans) are hanging out, we've recently joined the crowd. This is the Buick 455 we're building.

 

 

 

I found this cute little support to be somewhat entertaining.

 

Gotta clean sh*t up sometimes.

 

 

 

Mechanics lunch.

 

 

The bible!

[Lurch]

vroom vroom

 

 

 

 

gots fared

[Telumektar]

Woah. Looks like Cthulhu was interested in your cargo.

 

What happened there?

[Pico]

Took me a few times reading "gots fared" to realize it was redneck talk for "I got fired."

sh*t sucks man... what'd you hit??

 

edit: Looks like you can enjoy driving your BMW now.

[dex]

 

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3073/dsc4863.jpg[/ IMG]

Woah what happened? or just cleaning? Looks a little rusty.

[Kevin...]

 

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3073/dsc4863.jpg[/ IMG]

Woah what happened? or just cleaning? Looks a little rusty.

Looks like your standard full engine rebuild. Cast iron blocks tend to get a thin layer of rust on them if they are not painted. Nothing really bad, just doesn't look pretty.

[AZAZEL]

Took me a few times reading "gots fared" to realize it was redneck talk for "I got fired."

I thought it was redneck for 'I farted'.

 

But seriously, man, what happened?

[Illousion]

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3073/dsc4863.jpg[/ IMG]

Woah what happened? or just cleaning? Looks a little rusty.

Looks like your standard full engine rebuild. Cast iron blocks tend to get a thin layer of rust on them if they are not painted. Nothing really bad, just doesn't look pretty.

Kevin's right. The engine ran and all when it was torn apart, but it's going to get a rebuild and some performance stuff.

[Gundog]

Murcielago's successor is probably the sexiest car I've seen in my life.

 

I present to you, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. Maybe this is old news, but it's hella sexy,

 

[Moth]

Yes it looks really good and a hell a lot better then what Ferrari's using as its flagship model.

[AZAZEL]

 

 

Oh yes. The inspiration is clear. Beautiful car.

 

 

[GTA3Freak-2001]

Car porn, pure car porn there! The orange looks great but its actually quite stunning in that matte white that the other Aventador was shown in.

[Mega]

The aventador is amazing. Although there are many interior parts that are borrowed from Audi, the build quality is stunning. Do you want some pictures from Geneva ?

[chris]

Yes, yes we do.

[sivispacem]

 

Looks like Lambo have been borrowing styling ideas from Noble.

[3niX]

Well...

 

What ideas exactly?

 

I dont see any resemblance (besides perhaps the familiar mid-engined car shape).

[sivispacem]

Well...

 

What ideas exactly?

 

I dont see any resemblance (besides perhaps the familiar mid-engined car shape).

Wheels, nose profile, parts of the side profile. Shape is a given...

[jelly]

Does it really matter? The new Lambo is ugly. The old one was too.

 

It seems like the Italian supercars are cars that we just 'have' to enjoy the looks of, because of their speed and price tag. This kind of default drooling stance almost reminds me of the Apple design cult.

 

Yeah, it's fast, but it's ugly too. So's the new Pagani and the new Ferrari FF. Not good looking designs in the slightest. Garish and boring.

[boxmonster]

 

Well...

 

What ideas exactly?

 

I dont see any resemblance (besides perhaps the familiar mid-engined car shape).

Wheels, nose profile, parts of the side profile. Shape is a given...

Yeah, that side profile isn't a rehash of the previous Lamborghini designs, very Noble inspired.