Private Questions and Public Answers

[Paul Wright]

I need to post this because it's become necessary for me to do so. This is a public forum and I am a volunteer moderator. The questions asked here are open to the public and peer review. That's how it works. Some people may or may not like like the responses or may not like the open format. Getting mad or miffed over FREE advice, disenting opinions or public discussions is inappropriate. It's a take it or leave it proposition. It's OK to disagree with someone. That's what this country is founded on. A moderator is in place so discussions don't get out of hand. This site is much better than some because of the rules and it should stay that way. Read the site rules!

I often get PM requests or worse emails to my work inbox asking for private responses to questions. Sorry, I don't have the time or inclination nor is it appropriate for me to become a free 411 service, especially on company time.

Sometimes while I'm on the computer doing design work or while monitoring experiments I can answer a question or two but this isn't my job.

I don't mind helping people but some people ask for help then kick you in the shins. The first rule of lifesaving is not to risk your life trying to save a violent victim. What this means is asking for help and being combative is not going to get you help.

Some people may think they "own" the questions but IMO you don't own the answers. A lot of time may go into typing (or cutting and pasting) good responses. A moderators job is to delete offensive posts (and that sometimes takes some judgement) but I think good answers are worth saving. Please keep in mind that this is a public forum not a free, personal 411 service. The answers may be a benefit to many others that read the site looking for information not just the thread starter.

Diagnosing problems sight unseen over the internet is tricky. If asking a question please be sure to give enough information. You may be asked follow up questions since no one has a crystal ball.

Don't get impatient if no one answers right away. "Bumping" questions just wastes space and makes the thread longer.

Responses in violation site rules are deleted. Some extraneous posts may be deleted to save space.

I will not knowingly give or tolerate advice that leads to anything unsafe or illegal. Street racing is both unsafe AND illegal.

Don't assume that everyone posting is knowledgeable. Anyone can respond to a question. Everyone is entitled to their opinion...valid or not.

Fortunately, our system of open peer review tends to weed out bad responses, but we take no responsibility or guarantee the validity of any advice given or any consequences resulting.

If your problem gets solved (or doesn't) by the Nova Site, please let everyone know. It's helpful for everyone to find out if the advice was helpful or not.

My opinions are solely my own and in no way constitute an endorsement from my employer, the other moderators or Steve's Nova Site.

[DriveWFO]

What did Kevin do now? I'm just kiddin ya :D I agree!

[69NovaSS]

Paul, I would like to thank you publicly for all of the technical expertise you have shared with the members of this site. I would also like to say that I wish this street racing topic would just go away. There are sites out there that are into that crap but Steves is just not one of them. If ya like to chat about street racing go to the sites that like that topic...we just dont need or want that crap here :mad:

[Paul Wright]

I'm not singling out anyone person nor is that my intention, though filling up my in box with "is it done yet?" doesn't help.
Friendly PM's and email's to my home email address aren't a problem, I eventually read them all. It's all the:
"Can you pick a cam for me? I want 500 hp and a ratty idle"
requests sent to my work email that really tick me off.

[novaboy009]

I don't ask "is it done yet," I ask if there are any updates. Once every couple of weeks it's nice to know how the motor is coming along.

Kev

[the FLYER]

are we there yet ???

no

are we there yet ???

no

are we there yet ???

no

i gotta go pee...

are we there yet ???

no

are we there yet ???

no

i'm hungry...

are we there yet ???

no


:D :D :D :D :D

[DANNO]

Hey Paul, I need a new cam for about 600 horsepower and a really ratty idle. What was your work e-mail address, again?? :D


JK Good post, Paul. Maybe now you'll have more time to do what you're being paid to do. Some people treat this site like Google, and expect an immediate answer to any and all questions. (my pet peeve ;) ).


Dan ( :) )

[DriveWFO]

Some people treat this site like Google, and expect an immediate answer to any and all questions

I especially like the newbies that join the board, post a question, and get mad when noone responds within 5 minutes :rolleyes:

[69NovaSS]

I especially like the newbies that join the board, post a question, and get mad when noone responds within 5 minutes :rolleyes:


WHAT...you just dont sit by your computer waiting 24hrs a day to answer questions??????? How rude is that!!!! :mad: :rolleyes: :D :)

[72 red]

:awkward: are we there yet ???

no

are we there yet ???

no

are we there yet ???

no

i gotta go pee...

are we there yet ???

no

are we there yet ???

no

i'm hungry...

are we there yet ???

no


:D :D :D :D :D


thats funny right there

[Fast65]

Paul, I would like to thank you publicly for all of the technical expertise you have shared with the members of this site. I would also like to say that I wish this street racing topic would just go away. There are sites out there that are into that crap but Steves is just not one of them. If ya like to chat about street racing go to the sites that like that topic...we just dont need or want that crap here :mad:

Well said 69NovaSS, especially the thank-you to Paul. I think many helpful members here make this a great site. Experts in particular areas - such as Paul - only add to it even more. :chev:

[Greg McMillan]

I only started on Steve's site back in August and all the moderators and Guru's have made this a great site. You fella's so much great info and help that it can be hard not to over do it. I certainly hope I haven't done that. As to discussing anything illegal, I certainly agree! Having done a little street racing in my younger days, it realy isn't something a public forum should be supporting. Most of us have friends that were killed doing this at one time or another. High performance and Drag Racing is a greeat hobby and passion but it bleongs on the strip not a neighborhood street!

Keep up the great work

[JR]

Paul we all thank you for the fine info and moderating. If anyone wants to see the ratty stuff-cussing -B/S and downright lies just visit almost any car site and peruse pages and pages of B/S and no real help and info. I visit them sometimes and think they all must be about 13 years old with no car just stupid remarks ( And No I aint talkin about Flyer :D ).
My thanks to all of you guys for keepin it a decent and informative site.


Now with that said I gotta question about a Flywheel But I will start a post :)

[Necro]

paul must have the patience of a saint. with all the questions he gets and his work and his personal life , he finds the time to help us out.

most peeps would just delete half of them.

[NIGHTSHADE]

So Paul if I stir my coffie with a push rod and then instal said pushrod into my 383 what will the ratio of oil to coffie be after my 20min cam /lifter break in session?:D

[ChevyII MD]

I wonder if the coffee is better?

Really, I've been with this site since Steve started it 6,7, (more) how many years has it been?
Any way THANKS to everyone!
This is the ONLY site I visit on a regular basis.

Mark

[Sheetsinater]

All I have to say is This the best site on the web and I have learned more about Chevy ll and Nova's here then anywhere else I have visited. The people we have to thank this for is the Moderators and members we have here. So people should repect one another place of employment and keep it strictly on this site or one personal email. I have only read very very good advice from the Moderators and most of the members here. Keep up the great job of this site. And lets keep the racing on the strips more fun that way.:D :D :D I make this my first stop when online. :D :D :D


Just my own opinion Thanks, Howard :chev:

[jade76]

I've been a member almost a year and can't say I have any complaints with the site. I've been very pleased with this site, its information and member base. I've received responses to all my posts, usually within hours and never more than 3 days. It's a good place to collect opinions and facts and review other members experiences with cars and setups similar to our own. I'm sure the majority of the members here appreciate the value of this site and its information.

My suggestion for those that are impatient or need immediate information, call your local service shop or dealer. That's what they get paid for and will usually help you or direct you to the appropriate information, provided you have the right attitude.

[hawk7745]

My 2 cents worth as a new member..everyone has been real helpful and patient. My lack of knowledge shows but with the help of many here I have learned alot and been able to take care of situations that have happened with my wagon. Thanks to all for your help

[1bad4dr]

I need to post this because it's become necessary for me to do so. This is a public forum and I am a volunteer moderator. The questions asked here are open to the public and peer review. That's how it works. Some people may or may not like like the responses or may not like the open format. Getting mad or miffed over FREE advice, disenting opinions or public discussions is inappropriate. It's a take it or leave it proposition. It's OK to disagree with someone. That's what this country is founded on. A moderator is in place so discussions don't get out of hand. This site is much better than some because of the rules and it should stay that way. Read the site rules!

I often get PM requests or worse emails to my work inbox asking for private responses to questions. Sorry, I don't have the time or inclination nor is it appropriate for me to become a free 411 service, especially on company time.

Sometimes while I'm on the computer doing design work or while monitoring experiments I can answer a question or two but this isn't my job.

I don't mind helping people but some people ask for help then kick you in the shins. The first rule of lifesaving is not to risk your life trying to save a violent victim. What this means is asking for help and being combative is not going to get you help.

Some people may think they "own" the questions but IMO you don't own the answers. A lot of time may go into typing (or cutting and pasting) good responses. A moderators job is to delete offensive posts (and that sometimes takes some judgement) but I think good answers are worth saving. Please keep in mind that this is a public forum not a free, personal 411 service. The answers may be a benefit to many others that read the site looking for information not just the thread starter.

Diagnosing problems sight unseen over the internet is tricky. If asking a question please be sure to give enough information. You may be asked follow up questions since no one has a crystal ball.

Don't get impatient if no one answers right away. "Bumping" questions just wastes space and makes the thread longer.

Responses in violation site rules are deleted. Some extraneous posts may be deleted to save space.

I will not knowingly give or tolerate advice that leads to anything unsafe or illegal. Street racing is both unsafe AND illegal.

Don't assume that everyone posting is knowledgeable. Anyone can respond to a question. Everyone is entitled to their opinion...valid or not.

Fortunately, our system of open peer review tends to weed out bad responses, but we take no responsibility or guarantee the validity of any advice given or any consequences resulting.

If your problem gets solved (or doesn't) by the Nova Site, please let everyone know. It's helpful for everyone to find out if the advice was helpful or not.

My opinions are solely my own and in no way constitute an endorsement from my employer, the other moderators or Steve's Nova Site.

first time i read this.....pretty much says it all...great post!

[64novaHH]

This is a great site,already helped me a lot inthe short time since I joined.I like the friendly and relaxed atmosphere,when I'm to tired to actually work on my car I can come here,read some,look at some of the cars and dream about my 64. I everyone thinks before they post and has respect for other peoples time and feelings,it should always be a great site with great people (hope thats not too much of the touchy feely stuff):)
Harald

[rodguy43]

So Paul if I stir my coffie with a push rod and then instal said pushrod into my 383 what will the ratio of oil to coffie be after my 20min cam /lifter break in session?:D

I think it depends on whether it's de-caf or not doesn't it????

[Dawg]

Good points there Paul.

I didn't read thru all the responses and I don't come here often so please forgive me if this is already posted somewhere....

But you may want to start a huge FAQ thread.....for example if you go tohttp://www.badasscars.com/techtips.html, you will notice this guy took some of the most asked questions and broke them down and pretty much went into full blown detail.....for example here's a good one:

Q: Is a 600cfm carb too big for a street engine?

A: That's a trick question. It depends on what kind of a carb it is. Is it a vacuum secondary or a double pumper? Is it a stock engine or a performance engine. Do you have a manual transmission or an automatic? These are all factors when choosing the right carb. Before I start, let me remind everyone of this. NASCAR engines have over 750 horsepower and spin between 8,000 and 9,000 RPM for 500 laps and they run a 390cfm carb! That's right, 390cfm! First of all, lets take a 600 double pumper, like Holley's #4776. It's a great little carb but as the throttle is pulled back, the primaries begin to open and a shot of fuel gets squirted down the throat from the primary accelerator pump. When the primaries get about halfway open, the secondaries begin to open (mechanically) along with another shot of fuel through the squirters, from the second accelerator pump, hence the name double pumper. This is all fine and dandy unless you've got an automatic transmission, a heavy car or high rear-end gears and you stab the throttle off the line. The engine will probably choke, cough and spit before it sluggishly starts to go. I call this "flushing the toilet". The key here is air speed or velocity, or rather lack of it! Picture this, take a shop vac and feel the suction at the end of the hose. Now make the hole smaller, the air being sucked in speeds up! This is an increase in velocity. When the throttle is stabbed, all 4 barrels opened-up at once and the air speed (a mixture of fuel and air) slows way down because the engine lost its vacuum. An engine can't go unless air (and fuel) are going into it! The faster the speed, the quicker the pick-up!

Now lets take another 600cfm carb, Holley's #1850. This is a vacuum secondary carb which has only one accelerator pump and secondaries that open via air speed passing through the carb. When the throttle is hammered, only the primaries open. This allows a faster air speed to feed the engine and no "toilet flushing". As the air passing through the primaries speeds-up, it passes over a small tube that acts like a siphon. This siphon is attached to the secondaries. They won't open-up until your engine says "Hey, I need more!". When they open, the air passing through the secondary side of the carb draws the fuel it needs through the rear jets, or in some cases metering plate. No bogging or dogging off the line! I see all too often cars coming into my shop with vacuum secondary carbs with a small screw stuck in the secondary linkage so when the gas pedal gets pushed, the secondaries are forced open, sort of like a double pumper. Don't do that! You'll just make a turd out of a good carb and defeat the purpose of vacuum secondaries.

Here's the deal on carbs. You can take a general V-8 engine and put a 650 double pumper carb (Holley #4777) on it. It will drive OK but probably be a turd out of the hole and get horrible gas mileage. You'd be much better off with a 750 vacuum secondary carb (Holley #3310) instead. Yes, CFM wise it's bigger, and technically it is, but in reality it works much better and the engine will rev faster, the car will launch and pull a lot harder and it'll get better gas mileage! If you have to "feather the throttle", your carb is probably too big. You don't want to be a dog off the line... always remember this... 80% of the race is the first 80 feet! TOP

I know it's not your job to post this sort of stuff, but to me this really helps out the individual who wants to know and then some.

Also as much as we may get sick of hearing the "what's the biggest cam i can run to get 500 hp n/a out of a 350 on pump gas and still be streetable" questions, you gotta remember some of the new young bucks coming here may not "think" to do a search, which is somewhat acceptable IMO, it's the ones who've been on board for awhile that oughta know better....

But yeah I also agree bad attitudes aren't welcome....

[2doorpost]

Steve -Paul -the other Moderators-Everyone


Just a thank you for making this the Best Site!


2door (Has a "Ratty Cam Idle Sound" via a loose #8 plug wire)

[chevynuts88]

Steve -Paul -the other Moderators-Everyone


Just a thank you for making this the Best Site!


2door (Has a "Ratty Cam Idle Sound" via a loose #8 plug wire)

I have been a member here for years and I think that the reason this site is so great IS because of the great moderators. And the quality of some of the caring members doesn,t hurt either!

[joeusmc]

[QUOTE=Dawg;517525]

Q: Is a 600cfm carb too big for a street engine?


that was a good post thanks for the info.


well i am a newbie to this site and a realized earlier today i have spent well over 15 hours in the past two days combing through the site, it is my days off. i really am thankful to all of you who post great info and reply to questions.

I also agree with the street racing thing. now i am guilty of street racing, come on we all are, but there is no reason to be talking about where is the best place or where it is going on becuaes the less people that know where and when the less people will show up and risk getting hurt. It is stupid i am very thankful that nothing bad ever happened to me or any one i know... i know others who werent so lucky.


Thanks for the warm welcome to the site every one!

[dokks6t9]

A new guy here, but this place is super.. And that's a compliment to the mods AND the members.:usarmy: