Who would like to Content Review my Next Book, How to Rebuild and Modify your 911 Eng

[Wayne 962]

Hey everyone. It's no secret that I am working on my next book, "How to Rebuild and Modify Your Porsche 911 Engine."

What has made the 101 Projects Book a huge success was the good effort put in by my five content editors who helped me out by pointing out stupid mistakes, and hints and tips that I was unaware of.

It would be great to assume that one person knows everything, but that is not the case, especially with me. I may know a lot about a lot of different things, but I am sure that there are many tips and tricks out there that I am unaware of.

So, I would like to solicit for people to read and review my new book. What are the qualifications? Well, there aren't really too many, but you need to have rebuilt your 911 motor already. I plan to start another forum that will be used to discuss and exchange ideas on the book (this forum will have limited access, and will be seen only by people who I've invited to help review the book).

I think that this will call on the model of open-source computer programming - the minds of many are far more valuable than one single field of thought. So, if you're interested, send me a personal message or email letting me know what your qualifications are, and I'll talk with you about being added as a technical editor!

Thanks,

Wayne

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Be happy to help in any way I can, both as an active magazine writer (Car and Driver, Town & Country, Conde Nast Traveler, Air & Space Smithsonian, etc.) and as somebody who recently rebuilt (and modified) not only the engine but the transmission, interior and body of my SC, with the advice and consent of Steve Weiner, who twin-plugged and bench-flowed the heads for me.

Stephan

[ohecht]

Being a 6-Sigma quality "understand your customer's needs" type, I have a small suggestion for this process:

Although having some people who have rebuilt an engine before review the content for errors or omissions is a great (and necessary) idea, consider the target audience for your book before you dismiss the idea of having someone who has not rebuilt an engine review the material.

Although the book will be useful for anyone rebuilding an engine, I am assuming that your target audience, as it seemed to be from the 101 projects volume, is those owners who want to accomplish the project, but need help and guidance to build up their confidence and help them through the process.

The key to meeting the expectations (and hopes) of those potential readers is making sure that the book contains enough information at the right levels to make someone who has not yet completed a rebuild comfortable with the process. You have a fair amount of rebuild experience, as would your reviewers under the current plan, and it may be too easy to fall into the trap of omitting something that seems obvious to anyone who has seen the inside of a 911 motor or including something that makes sense to someone with experience, but is confusing to a novice.

The technical review and enhancement process you described is still absolutely necessary, I just suggest also getting some "usability" input from some inexperienced but potential rebuilders once the technical revisions are complete.

Anyway, just my $.02

[Wayne 962]

I have created a forum accessible from the main forums page, that only people I have approved will be able to see. Check the main page to see if you can see this forum...

-Wayne

[targa88]

Based on my appreciation for your first literary effort, I would be willing to pitch in and help.
However my experience is at the lower end of the scale when it comes to rebuilding engines (main experience with motorcycles - 20 years ago -rather than with Porsches).
It would be the least I could offer, based no the help the BBS hasl already provided.

[Z-man]

Wayne,
Although I do not have "911 engine rebuild" experience, I have done proof-reading. My friend, Len Herman is a noted expert in well, er, video games. He wrote a book: "Phoenix, The Fall and Rise of Video Games." I corrected his grammatical, spelling, and logical errors. It was the second edition I corrected, and literally found hundreds of errors.

[tooting my own horn]
You probably have someone to do this, but in just about every book I read, I find errors, so I guess I have an eye for finding mistakes.
[/tooting my own horn]

If you need proofreading help, I'd love to help you out.

-Zoltan.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Ah, Zoltan, check your post for typos. Anybody who takes such ostentatious pride in their proofreading should type an e-mail or post and then go back over it to correct the fat-finger mistakes.

Stephan

[billwagnon]

I only found one.

[FA-18C]

I agree with a previous poster that where the experience of someone who has rebuilt a motor is of great value, having someone review the content for basic man clarity might even be more important. What may be implied or obvious to a more experienced home mech might cause a great deal of frustration and confusion in the hands of a lesser mortal. I have had 4 porsches, but have not yet wandered this seemingly treacherous path. bottom line, someday I really would love to tackle a rebuild, as well as learning the fundamentals of body work, paint work, welding, the whole gamut. when I retire from hurling my body at the back of an aircraft carrier for a living, I only want to worry about having a car drop on me... so to make a short response long, I would love to offer a basic man reading of your new book, I am reasonably intelligent and have a PHd in Obviology (vice masters...).
chris

[82SC]

wayne...how bout this...

put together a rough draft...then entice one of us (maybe me!!) to use the rough draft as a basis for a rebuild...you can offer to give discounted parts, and personal assistance...

then fill in the gaps...I agree...hindsight is 20/20

my car is 1982 911SC with 186K with alot of oil consumption.

Since I am a non-working med student with a summer vacation...ahhhhh...I was planning on getting elbow deep into a project this summer...either a full strip and repaint, and/or an engine rebuild...

I am in LA, (palos verdes) so this "program" may work...and when I am not at my apt in LA, my parents' 3 car garage becomes my personal workshop and all 3 other cars have to sleep outside...haha

plus I've written a couple of the articles in the tech section...so I think I am familiar with how detailed articles need to be for a first time DIY...and a real time rebuild may give opportunities to take additional, and helpful pictures...since post rebuild it is hard to go back and take a picture of a tricky part of the rebuild

Also if the person you work with has some decent funds he/she can do some performance upgrades with the money he saves on the discounted parts and that would be a great chapter about a DIY performance upgrade...

plus I am sure some of the machine shops would give great deals on the "project" car to get advertising in your book!!!

MJ

[Doug Zielke]

Here's another idea, Wayne....
Although the motor in my car is presently 100%, I'll take a few months off in 2002. During that time, I'll visit every race track in the West with guys like Jack, and in the process, wear out the motor totally!

Then, I'll let YOU completely rebuild it for me using parts from Pelican (of course) at deeply discounted (even free) prices. Of course you can write the book from this great experience. I don't mind if you cut me in on the resultant (huge) profits, either.

You won't find such a willing owner under just any pile of greasy Excellence magazines, so RSVP ASAP

[82SC]

i like your idea better...

how bout I drive my car till it brakes...since it is getting there...then we can make this not only a rebuild study, but a repair as well....like how to repair a floating valve that brakes off the valve stem and tumbles around in the combustion chamber at 6000 RPM....or maybe if I try really really hard, we can get a con rod to snap and go flying out of the case and the hood as well...quick tips on patching your torn case....hahaha

Or maybe you and I can do some fender rubbing racing and throw body work into the mix...

by the way I love the color of your car...
for the repaint I am leaning towards a nice deep gunmetal grey or a really dark (little darker then the prussian blue) midnight blue...

[Ron,K]

Wayne,

Nothing visible at this point

[david c.]

Hey Wayne,

I was thinking it would be an interesting challenge to have a running contest: "Who has completed the most of the projects in my book?", or a race to see who has (had to) complete them all.

Just an interesting thought for a BBS with a great tongue-in-cheek rivalry.

Regards

David

[82SC]

FINE wayne if you don't like my idea...
can't blame me for trying to get my baby's engine imortalized in your book...

But when are you gonna get that repair shop started???
I just read that in your mission statement...is that down the road or no longer in your plans?

that list above looks like possible canidates you could lure away for a job with the Pelican guys!!!

MJ

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

You guys from the SCNWO (=new world order ) need a absolute beginner who never had seen a engine and ask the most stupid question. Then the book is absolute Dummy proof

OK
I can´t write very good but ask silly questions ;D
I can´t add very much as most was said on the Leland rebuild.
Rebuilding a engine is always something sensetive.

You invest many time, money sweat and love and then you rebirth them and hope they make there way in the hard world out there.

Ops to philosophic.


Grüsse

[Z-man]

Originally posted by Stephan Wilkinson
Ah, Zoltan, check your post for typos. Anybody who takes such ostentatious pride in their proofreading should type an e-mail or post and then go back over it to correct the fat-finger mistakes.

Stephan

Stephan,
Thanks for pointing that out. You do realize the informal nature of posting messages in a forum, don't you? But I apologize for spelling "grammatical" incorrectly. I did not spell check the post.

I believe you misread my intentions: I wasn't trying to sound proud: just give a little credibility to myself. That's why I put the [tooting my own horn] and [/tooting my own horn] thingy in there. I have learned in life not to take myself too seriously. May I suggest you do the same.

So please, back off, I was just trying to offer Wayne some help. Ok?

Peace,
-Zoltan.

[davis911s]

Wayne my computer must be broken cause I don't see my name on your list

I have NEVER rebuilt an engine, must less my Porsche engine. But I will be in a few years ( I hope it lasts that long).

I of course will buy the book when it is available. But I would love to read it over to ensure that it is DUMMY proofed.

If you need me "I'll be there for you...." (sing that part)

Shawn