DID YOU KNOW:
...That a Russian Test Lab was curious if an internal combustion engine would run, and survive, using Bakelite plastic for pistons? Combustion chamber temperatures run as high as 1300 degrees, significantly higher than Bakelite (or any other plastic) is known to tolerate.
We called our plastics expert Vince LaViolette, lead designer and development driver at Shelby American, and asked if this seemed doable: “Bakelite works real well in electrical applications but it does stand a chance at the temps combustion chambers run. There’s really no possible advantage to use it because it be a much heavier piston: all down side.” Well sure enough, the Russians got their test engine to run for a few seconds before it shut off. Thinking that the Bakelite plastic had expanded, they let the engine cool and restarted it. It ran for a few seconds again and then stopped. Giving it one more try (those Russians don’t give up easily) they started it one more time only to have the engine stop because the plastic pistons had melted enough to change shape and produce no compression. Nice try guys, but it’s back to alloy.
...That “retired" NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is planning to race at Richmond Raceway September 11th 2021. Dale’s made it a practice, since 2018, to drive one race a year. He retired from full-time racing at the end of 2017 because his doctors recommended he not risk another concussion. He’ll run a special United for America paint scheme to honor the victims of the attack. NASCAR fans always love seeing their favorite driver back on the track, but once a year (always a different track) is all Dale plans to run.
...That unless you use your vehicle’s manufacturer approved custom parts on your new car, truck or SUV, you risk having no coverage in a crash. A recent accident in Canada reviewed that “unauthorized” parts on a customer’s car was reason enough not to cover the cost following his crash. So far we know of no cases in the U.S. where this conclusion was reached, but be wise in selecting your parts and your coverage as we suspect this will trend very quickly.
...That Ford Motor Company is adding tougher versions of nearly all their SUV offerings? Ford believes that Americans are ready to get out in the wilderness and use their vehicles as part of their fun. Ford wants them to know that their vehicles are designed to take it and to let people have the active lifestyle they seek. Not to mention that the “tougher” versions look really cool.
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