“The noticing of a passing thought and the explosion of an ancient star are not unrelated phenomenon: both the product of a self-creating, self-destroying ubiquitous capability.”
— Living Nonduality
Author Archives: Steve Mays
What’s wrong with trafficking in heroin?
“The smack goes to Europe or America. Some self-obsessed narcissist who otherwise would be causing untold pollution driving to and from work every day, probably in a car without passengers, only to go burning electricity in an overheated office somewhere — thanks to us he stays home in a stupor and gets the sack. His work gets outsourced to Bangladesh, where someone does the same job better for a fifth of the pay, which he uses to feed a family of seven, and to top it all he commutes to work on a bicycle-the whole earth benefits.”
— The Godfather of Kathmandu by John Burdett
New engine nears completion
“Just about there. I still need to adjust valves (tool was at shop to do so this PM) and get exhaust manifold back from exhaust man. Should be able to get it all tomorrow (Thursday).”
The biggest difference between the original 2.25 liter diesel and this rebuilt 300Tdi 2.5 liter is — according to Zak at Zombie Motors — direct injection diesel (vs. indirect injection). This will make cold starts easy. Won’t have to use glow plugs until it is well below freezing. More like a modern truck: jump in, turn the key, and drive away.
We opted not to get this engine with the turbocharger because — as I understand it — that would have required a different transmission. But even “naturally aspirated,” this engine will provide a lot more torque than the old one and won’t be as smokey/noisy. 
Jay Parks – Drummer
Jay Parks drums for the sheer joy of it. Most afternoons he can be found sitting in his truck (waiting to pick up his wife when she gets off work) drumming along with tunes on local radio stations. He was kind enough to let me record a minute or two. I don’t think Under the Boardwalk by the Drifters would have been his first choice but he’s a trooper. As I drove away I could hear him keeping time to Ike and Tina’s Proud Mary.
I recorded this video back in 2012 and would have sworn I posted here but I can’t find it.
Update: Land Rover Engine
“I’ll have this finished as much as I do with them on the stand later today. Tomorrow I can have it off the stand and wrapped up to ship, I just need to get my forklift brought over here to the house to be able to shrink wrap. Will have it brought over today or tomorrow. Thank you again and I hope the photos look good. The piece de resistance is the custom right hand side motor mount that allows this to be bolted in instead of having to do any cutting/ welding.” — Zak, Zombie Motors
