Gas Guzzlers.. Don't Believe What They Say!

[raiden7800]

I was up at about 3 AM, typed in "old cars" on google image search, and came across an aritcle about crushing old cars, here:


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...3Doff%26sa%3DN



In the article, the author states that in 2002 (when the article was written) the state of california was trying to achieve zero emissions. Thus to reduce smog and dirty air. He goes on to state that state legislature had a bill that would require all automakers to produce ZEVs, or zero emissions vehicles. Since the automakers would obviously not be able to do that, they decided that for every pre 1970 car crushed, or "recycled" they would recieve a $2500 credit. The reason being that they are gas guzzlers, and produce alot of emissions that we are currently having problems with. I agreed with just about everything the author said, but I decided that I would like to add a bit more to the topic of my own.

That being said, I know we are on here because we drive our old gas guzzlers right? Or are at least building them. On the basis of fuel mileage alone, compare vehicles from say 1965 to 1995. 30 years of change, and "improvements". It must not have been many improvements, because all I can see, is vehicles that are harder and more expensive to work on, and get no better mileage than our 60s era vehicles.

I don't believe that car mechanics needed to be evolved so much. Computers need'nt be in our vehicles. Our old trucks run just fine, and when they dont, it doesnt take a bunch of time to figure out what is wrong with it. A good running old car, gets as good of mileage as a good running car nowadays. Variable Valve Timing aside, new cars dont have any more horsepower, torque, or mileage than our old stuff. Worst case scenario, put a catalytic converter on there, and leave it at that. You can only burn gasoline so clean, after that, burnt gas is burnt gas. If they truly wanted to make a difference, and clean up the air, they would make vehicles that run on a water demolecularization (i know that is spelled wrong) system, that spereates oxygen from hydrogen, burns them both, and then takes the water and puts it back in a tank. There are no wastes, and no pullution. Plus, we have alot more water lying around than oil.

There are people all over the world that have made water systems for their vehicles, and the big corporations shut them down. Instead of embracing an idea, they buy it and kill it. If people can make water systems for their cars in their backyards, then why cant multimillion dollar companies like the big 3, or Volvo, or Honda make those systems? Seems kinda funny to me.

The gentleman that wrote the article above made some great points. What good will destroying all of the old cars do? We don't drive them all that often, and even when we do, its not like we are getting any worse mileage in our 65 Burb than a 95 burb. A 350 V8 can only get so many mpg, it doesnt matter how many computers you put on it. My points and condensor 292 I6 will pull just as hard as any new smallblock, and I dont have to worry about the 50 thousand wires running to and from the engine compartment.

Think of all the money wasted on programming computers, making computer systems, outfitting sensors for the computers to read, self diagnosis systems, all of that leading to a single "Check Engine Light". Check engine means Check your engine. Not, your gas cap is loose, or your air bag sensor has been disconnected. One sensor goes out, and the car either wont run, or tries to self compensate with another unit, and they both go dead.

I am a mechanic, as are probably 99% of all of you reading this, and if there is one thing I hate, is sensors. Vacuum lines arent so bad, but sensors, all it takes is 1 single wire, 1 hidden fusible link, 1 solder joint, and the car won't run. It takes a wallet full of 50s to fix, and the fix is only guaranteed until the next circuit becomes brittle, the next hidden fusible link pops, or connector falls off.

When I bought my truck it didnt run. In 20 minutes, I had it running. Albeit not that well, but running nonetheless. I have a friend who owns a 67 Bel Air that I gave him, we drove around, and parked, got back in, wouldnt start. A few hammers on the carb to knock the float loose, and we were on our way. Another friend owns a 89 Acura integra "crap sack" (hatch back). Drove to wal-mart, it wouldnt start. almost 2 months later, it still wont start. After a distributor, coil, igniter, brainbox, and PGMFI relay, it still wont start. It is sitting now at an electrical shop, and they have no idea. Start droppin 50s, and they will fix it, but for how long?

Anyways,its 330, I should go to sleep. Anyone who has had the paitience to read this far, please leave a comment, I would love to hear what everyone here agrees with me on.

Rob