Waynes new book Let nit picking begin
 

Received Waynes new book and read it cover to cover. Great book.

But, even though Wayne, who has probably sweet more than a little blood, by now, is thinking the hard part is over with. And like a new parent, Wayne is probably feeling real proud, rightfully so, but the kid is growing and now the real fun will begin. How long will it last? How bad will it get? Well a kid is a real good analogy.

The first nit- Page 58, figure 3-21 shows a tapered pilot shaft inserted in a valve guide in a head. The text however talks about a valve. Although the valve might wobble, the pilot shaft will not as it is tapered and designed to stick tightly. The pilot shaft is a tool that is used to guide the valve seat cutter and is only used after the new valve guide is installed.

This is an extreemly minor screw up as it almost looks like a valve stem it is supposed to be.

Again good book. But I have new nits to find.

PS CE's probably one of the best machine shops there is.

So, you think there are a lot of errors in Wayne's new book?...then you should pick up a Bentley!

snowman, you know just enough to be dangerous. i'd like to see the book you would write. well, maybe i wouldn't. it's now the best book out there for rebuilding 911 engines. actually, there's never been one as good. if you do read it, maybe you will actually learn something about 911 engines. you don't quite seem to have a grasp on that right now, with all the misinformation you give out.

Bring it on, if that's the best you can do! Let me help you out. There's one diagram, where I say refer to the blue arrow, and it's acutally green!

"Not responsible for typographical errors..."

-Wayne

Page 120, I spelled Plastigage incorrectly...

Actually, I probably spelled it correctly - the spellchecker people probably changed it...

-Wayne

Supercalifragilisticexpialodocius
 

Is the above spelled correctly?

I find it ridiculous to criticize books for minor typographical errors and so forth. Instead, I ask: would I be in a better spot if this book had not been written at all?

People who buy this book probably have some idea about Porsches and can find their way through any "minor" errors in the text, for I'd rather look at the big picture of the book - the text, the photos, the graphs and how all that has been coordinated in a package that is a lot easier and less choppy to read than other Porsche books whose names I will not mention.

BTW: did anyone notice the paragraph I just wrote was a run-on sentence.

Or that I forgot to end in a question mark for the question just above this?

Hmmmm...

Comeon guys if Wayne dosne't fix the nits his almost perfact book will not be perfact.

John Walker,

What misinformatin, specifically?

PPS
Wayne,
HORRORS!!! Page 120," I spelled Plastigage incorrectly..."
Another Nit and I did not see it on the first reading.

So, do you want us to help find the typos, or do you have it covered? I'm sure people are just trying to help.

I personally like hearing Jack's opinion. Yes, his ideas are generally unconventional and he is cheap, but you have to give him credit for backing his ideas with solid research. I think it's good for the discussion for snowman and others to stir the pot a little.

I finally got my published copy of the book, and the formatting and color pictures really bring the ideas to life. The preview copy was very helpful, and had all the info (except appendix A), but it was definitely missing something in black and white text. A book like this was overdue. I hope it does very well.

Thanks,

Just to clarify, nit picking IS NOT CRITICISM!!! It is if anything a SERVICE!!

Free, thats FREE editorial review. Most authors are glad to know about the defects so they can correct them in the future, of course they also privitely curse them.

Page 82 fig 4-11 Where in chapter 5 is the glass plate process mentioned?? What page?

Page 180, VALVE COVERS, 5th line "13mm hardware" should be 8 mm hardware. The wrench size may be 13 mm but not the hardware.

Jack:
 

You are correct to point out "nitpicking" is not criticism; what you highlight are inaccuracies. And anywhere else but here would you be the perfect place to point out these inaccuracies to the author.

But this thread is not the place. If I were you, I'd show the author respect (especially on the bulletin board he created), and instead send him a personal message (PM) listing your corrections. If Wayne or his publisher decides on another printing, he (or they) most possibly will use your corrections - if they are indeed correct.

By the way, you misspelled "nit picking." It's one word: nitpicking.

I think this is the proper forum, pardon the pun, for discussing errors. All are of general interist. None are criticism of the author, but really a complement, that anyone would care to read his product this carfully and care to comment to improve it.

Yeah, I agree w/Snowman. I posted my edits pre-publishing in the public forums so that other volunteer proofreaders would see 'em and no one would bombard Wayne with the same edits. Nobody seemed to mind then. WTF??

I missed why everyone's on snowman's case? Did he advocate an engine stand w/too few supports? Suggest the wrong case sealant spreading method? Suggest the wrong brand of solvent for final parts cleaning? Link?

That, and he uses hose clamps for ring compressors. :p

Maybe right now is too soon to start finding these errors; I know I would be annoyed if I put as much effort into a project as Wayne has put into this book, only to have errors pointed out straight away.

I do agree with snowman that this is constructive criticism, but in reality Wayne isn't going to be publishing a second edition very soon, so there's no rush, is there?

What's all the hubbub?

Afterall, he's a paying customer so I guess he's allowed a nitpick. Besides, I don't think that this post will affect sales negatively. If anything the opposite is true. Otherwise, I might have never gotten the glowing review from John Walker a critic I have great respect for. (He just sold me.)

As for misinformation, this board has a lot of it. I've unwittingly been a contributor as have others. It's part of the territory. The bottom line is that usually there is someone out there to correct you. That's the beauty of this board. Other BBS's should be so lucky.

The glass-flat technique is detailed on page 175...

While I do appreciate comments on the book, I think that the method of delivery is what is in contention here. I'll reserve comment on that...

As for criticism of the book, it would be like someone calling me stupid. People rarely call me stupid, and if they do, I know that they are a complete idiot, because I have enough confidence in myself to know that I am not stupid.

It's the same with the book. This is a great book, hands down, and I know it. While this may sound conceited, it's correct. I know my strengths and weaknesses and I welcome comments from everyone regarding the book, good and bad.

That said, I have pretty thick-skin.

-Wayne

Wayne:
 

Well said, my friend.

Now, when will you come out with a book on making the 911 handle? Maybe something coupling weight-loss tricks and better braking?

I suggest that people do for this book, what was done for 101 Projects for Your 911.

Email your input to Wayne and let Wayne compile, review/investigate, and decide what he, the author, wants to post as his approved UPDATED - ERRATA - CORRECTIONS

I occasionally refer to that site to print off the updated text for 101 Projects.

It's just my opinion, but not every post on this forum is totally reliable fact - appears there are alot of varied opinions on what is the correct way to do something i.e. Wayne's description of inserting the pistons and cylinders is different from what is described in the factory manuals (Wayne gives a good explanation why in his new book)

It also seems that emailing suggestions to Wayne and then having them placed on update-errata page also reduces having info at two (2) different locations, resulting in just having one place to check for corrections.

Check out www.101projects.com/911-Rebuild/corrections.htm

The book is awesome but for those that didn't get the preview copy - the CD disk with all the 100's + of unused, extra photos is fanastic.