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.

I really get upset when people misinterpert simple error reporting for criticism. I have praised Waynes book, not criticised it in any way. If I had criticised it I would have said something like I want my money back, the book sucks, or whatever, I did not I said it was a good, excellent book. SO there.

Get over it and read what is posted.

nevermind...

I think what Wayne has accomplished by publishing two well written how to books in the span of 18 months is incrediable. There was definitely a need for the books and to now to have two that are so well written and organized is unbelievable! The reason the publications will be a success is that to have someone so well versed mechnically, technically, ect and to be able to convey those skills so well in writing is something that doesn't come together very often or at all. My hat is off to you Man!
My only nit pick is in the 101 book title page Wayne put a picture of a fully polished 911 alloy wheel rim, nothing IMO more classic than the '65-'89 911 is the classic forged fuchs that they are shod with. A picture of a nice fuchs would have been more appropriate imho. Biff

Biff,
Thats criticism, it don't belong on the nits page.
Nits are, like you mis spelled a word, or the picture is number 101 and the text says 85.

Critisism is something like the fonts are to small for the core audience, ie over 40. In other words most of the readers have to break out their reading glasses or magnigying glasses to read the pictures.

Those comments go on the new book page.

I also read the book cover to cover. Awesome book, reference is amazing with more than enough detail. My only complaint is that i was hoping for the opinions in the view of a garage mechanic. I mean i understand that cutting corners is a big no no and i agree. But nowhere does it really get into detail on reusing parts, and when the book does, it still states that it should be heavily inspected by professionals. Still though i realize that law suits could pop up if a book recommends using the home mechanics untrained eye when inspecting. Wonderfull pictures, can't stress that enough, first reference book with colored, well taken, pictures.

Wayne's next book; how to rebuild a 911 engine at absolutely no expense!

How about a book on rebuilding a 911, reusing all the original parts. If you are careful you can even reuse the old motor oil.

now you're talking!

Isn't there a shop out there that has already written this book? They just don't like to share it?

hmM.M.m?

Yes, I have used them once or twice. Great prices too.

Just my two cents, but I think it's a righteous book. I read it over coffee, in the john, while I'm drifting off to sleep, in the hammock when i should be weeding. I keep getting more and more out of it as I read and re-read sections. It's giving me the confidence to get started on a re-build that should have been started a year or so ago.

Thank you Wayne...I'll buy another as soon as I wear this one out.

Dan Crockett
'78 SC Targa

Wayne, I will step up to the plate here and offer my proofreading and critic services for FREE! that's right FREE! ...Now go ahead and send me a complimentary copy of your wonderful book so I can get started.

Cut me a break gentlemen, it was just my opinion, nothing more. Not like i'm making a suggestion, but more like an opinionated statement. I'm sure that any rebuilder in there lifetime has rebuilt an engine or two that is in prestine condition and is only being torn apart because of something very minor or stupid. But no one ever seems to touch bases with that possibility and i was hoping that this book would since it detailed just about every other situation.

The subject is failure anyalysis. Most basic auto books cover this subject and then it is promply forgotten.

Everything should be carefully inspected when tearing down an engine. Everything should be evaluated on the basis of what is wearing and why it wore the way it did. Sometimes you find something like I did when I tore a 911 down. Glass beads. They destroyed the bearings and the finish of the crank and intermediate rod. I have also found oil holes in the wrong place, ie where they wouldn't work. One thing I have seen, someone else found it, is a crankshaft. if good condition, but discolored. 50K miles on it without an oil change. Most amazing was there were no oil holes in it. The factory had put a crank wihout oil holes in the crank in a brand new car, and it somehow ran for 50K miles, and was further abused without the oil change. I repeat myself because it is so hard to beleive.

Yeah, that is hard to believe.

There are some tasks that should be better left to the professionals. I think that machine shop work, inspection, and suspension alignments are some examples. If you have the tools to do the proper inspection in your garage, then by all means, go for it. However, 99.9% of the people don't have these tools, so I didn't include it in the book.

The message is clear - don't bother rebuilding your engine if you're not going to do it right. That includes having the proper inspections done.

I can't wait until the the "101 Home Surgery Projects" comes out for all the garage mechanics!

-Wayne

drill hole in fingernail to relieve throbbing, wash cut in solvent to make it heal faster, wrap in shop rag, clean would be better, secure with duct tape, continue working, splinter removal made easy with the corner of a shop razor blade, the "not to be used for surgery" type, and a magnifying glass, douse with hydrogen peroxide, the foaming means it's working, and much more.

While wrapping an injury with a shop rag and securing it with duct tape is probably the best, not everyone has access to the tools you pros have. I have to make do with masking tape w/out a rag.
:D
-Chris

Anyone who does not beleive the crankshaft story, should contact Natinal Crankshaft, in Anaheim , CA. They have the crank.

On the subject of nit picking...

I noticed the air baffle sheet metal used in section 5-5 does not appear to have the mod listed in figure 4-10. The parts in appendix B look like they are the same way. Shouln't this mod always be made, since it makes such a significant improvement in cooling? Am I just missing it in the pictures?

Also, are those Divalar studs going into the engine in project 14 of 101? Is that the forbidden $5 ring compressor in figure 14-5? Still great books.