Coast to Coast via The Econo Box

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An introductory and logistical view on low budget, DIY maintenance on  "The Econo Box" as it is planned to embark on a high mileage trek Coast to coast summer of 2011.

Background: The Econo box served originally as the "House of Kirch" family transport until it was replaced by our 2005 Honda Odyssey LX in February of 2011. Look forward to possible future updates about its Shady Tree Mechanic maintenance and tuning as preparation to embark on an epic 2,758 mile cross county journey via U.S Interstate I-90. Co-piloted by http://mewfilms.com's Chief Operating Officer.

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The Econo Boxes specs:

• Make // Toyota
• Model // Corrola DX E100
• Manufacture Year // 1994 
• Displacement // 1587cc
• Layout // DOHC Inline-4 (Straight-4)
• Valves // 16,- 4 for each cylinder
• Fuel Delivery System // Electronic Fuel Injection
• Power // 105 hp (78 kW) @ 5800 rpm
• Drivetrain // 4 speed Automatic 
• Current Odometer Reading // 211,977 miles

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Current and planned upgrades. With estimated costs:

• Warped Brake rotors to be turned and resurfaced // $24 USD
• Front brake pads // $17 USD 
• Rear Brake Shoes // (replaced in 2009)
• Coolant flush and replenish // $15 USD
• Upper and lower radiator hose replacement // $18 USD
• Serpentine and alternator belt replacement  // $24 USD
• Distributor cap and rotor // (replaced in 2011) 
• Spark plugs and wires // (replaced in 2011) 
• Battery // (replaced in 2010)
• Tires // (replaced in 2009)
• Tire rotation and inflation // $0 USD
• Spark plug well/tube seals // (replaced 2010)
• Automatic Transmission Lubricant  // $15 USD // 
• Engine Block Lubricant and filter change // Mobile 1 Synthetic 10w-30 // $24 USD
• Intake Air Filter Element // $7 USD
• Seafoam cylinder and fuel injector treament // $9 USD
• Windshield wiper replacement // $11 USD 
• DMV re-registration // $36 USD
• State inspection // $50  USD

________________________________________ Total Cost = $250 USD                                                                    --  Estimated Man Hours (with kids) ≤ 8 hours --

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Miscellaneous Logistical Data

• Estimated Fuel efficiency at 65mph with a 460lb load // ≤29 miles per gallon
• Total Trek Mileage // 2,758 miles via U.S Interstate-90
• Trek Duration Non-Stop // 1day 21 hours
• Estimated Actual Trek duration // (To be announced) 

Mentioned Links:      http://mewfilms.com

                                 http://rkfabtek.blogspot.com

Mew Films

Productivity at its finest.One of the best things you can do for your website is add a high quality media clip to bring your product to life.

While the internet continues to evolve at the speed of light. It is crucial for a company to remain on top of their game and remain in the forefront of the evolution.We all know the internet is composed of people that are connected to each other by their "machines" and their habits can be visualized and is better known as trends. While internet trends can be tracked and studied, one concept remains the same for human nature. We are visual beings. We were born this way and continue to develop this consuming tendency. The internet host such a vast amount of data waiting to be consumed. Now we all know that Google is a pioneer in making all of the relevant information/data available by a simple number of keystrokes. For a company, the point is once a person journeys onto their site is to catch their attention long enough to present the information to them in a direct and on point manner. How is this accomplished best? Plain and simple, visual media. By adding a high quality piece of media into your website, not only spice up the visual appearance of your site but it will bring your website to life.

While the internet is saturated with film producers offering their service, one particular film production company stands out above the rest. Mew Films Mew Films is a professional Seattle based Film production company consisting of a extremely talented group of guys that produce a high caliber of film. The way they produce their films speak for themselves. They are not only limited to producing short films for your web-page but also narratives, non profit,corporate, weddings and documentaries. One documentary (currently being produced) has gained a high amount of media attention which can be found here http://rapeforprofitfilm.com . Not only are they documenting the harsh reality of sex trafficking in Seattle in a unique way, they are saving girls lives.This alone exemplifies their solid character and what the company stands for. Visit their site and see the high quality content for yourself.

If you are looking for a professional cutting edge film company to produce high quality content that will draw your audiences attention with utter eye candy while conveying your intended message. Look no further because time is money , contact Mew Films via their website.

Links:/
http://mewfilms.com
http://rapeforprofitfilm.com/

rkfabtek.blogspot.com

Making the step to Linux in plain English

Key word of this blog post. Productivity!

Growing up in the modern world ,with the ideology of "nothing comes free" it easy to see why some many people have ingrained in their sub-conscience that anything, that is of a usable quality or worth using, must be bought and paid for. Now the English idiom "you get what you pay for" does hold true in many circumstances but not necessarily in the world of Open-Source software such as Linux.You actually get more then what you paid for when use Linux and the only payment given was a little time and research. Linux is a free and stable operating system which will increase your productivity once you get it up and running .( Fun Fact of the day:  A Linux kernel was also chosen for the backbone of  Android phones.) When you bought your Windows or Macintosh computer. You bought into a corporation and you bought into their business plan.You go where they take you. Linux is designed and built for and by the end users.  

Linux has come along way since 1991 in which is offers user friendly desktops, different "flavors" of Linux for various scopes of productivity and broad compatibility (see: http://distrowatch.com/ ).  When discussing Linux with the everday Windows/Mac desktop user the conversation normally leads to concerns of writing lines of script, working in a command/text environment and the need to be a "Computer Geek". While unleashing the full power of Linux may require you to use command line scripts Linux  does offer graphical environments ,graphical installers, and your options are unlimited.But dont delete your Windows or Macintosh OS just yet or at all, get familiar in something called "dual booting". Which means you will have any number of operating systems on your hard drive in which you choose which Operating system to boot into.Again more choices, more productivity.

Some reasons in why choosing Linux may benefits you

• Configurability - Every single aspect of your computer experience can be customized to suit your needs. Everything from look and feel of your desktop, security and tasks.
• One central software location - No need to search the internet for updated software, no need to worry about malware coming bundled in your downloaded software. All of your software can be found in a central repository which is secure and updated. Its alot like your Iphone or android phones in how you download apps from one central location.
• Stability/Security - Unlike windows and mac Linux runs each program in its own little box, so if one program goes crazy the rest of your system will not be effected. End result = increase productivity. Linux can be configured to be very secure. There are more Windows and Mac virus's then there are Linux.
• Free - You dont hear this word more often then enough.
 

Some good resources:

       http://distrowatch.com/
       http://www.debian.org/
       http://rkfabtek.blogspot.com

Disc brakes and inactivity

Machinery does not like to sit around and not be used.Especially machinery with disc brakes, I learned this quickly after the weather warmed up and I took this 1.8L for a spin. My intentions were good, take it for a spin to burn some carbon out of the cylinders and rust off of the rotors. When applying brake, the brake pedal pulsates fairly heavily.My sources tell me that the rotors warped. Upon removing the front wheels i noticed a patch of rust/corrosion where the brake pads must remained in place for that time period. See what happens H2o will accumulate there.With no time to further diagnose if the disc are warped.I used a piece of fine grit sand paper to remove some of the evil deposits, while the back side of the disc where impossible to get to without removing it. Upon test driving it , it did seem to alleviate the problem slightly. If we continue to maintain this vehicle with hopes that it will be road worthy or sold, a new set of rotors will have to be in the mix. Even after faithfully starting this Toyota once every 1-2 weeks for 6 months, maintaining a trickle charge on its battery and giving it general attention while it sat unused on the streets it still managed to teach me a lesson or two. Micro Lesson of the day. If your vehicle is not garaged kept don't just think that starting it will be enough. Make sure you at least take it for a spin around the block. If this is not feasible the at least engage motion into the drive shafts and move it back and forth a bit. Opinions may vary but use a high quality synthetic engine oil which will adhese to cylinder walls longer then organic oils. Crucial for the long periods of time of not being ran. Oh and don't forget to disconnect the battery cables or place it on a trickle charge. You will be thanking yourself later. 

21cc Rebuild and the Kiddie

21cc no start 2 stroke versus 24lb Ronnie K. Executive Vice President Ronnie K of RKfabtek claimed victory on this one folks via a tear down , carb and cylinder cleaning. One less thing on @The House of Kirch fixit list. Money and time spent = $2.25 / 1 hour. Money saved = $100 saved. simple fix! learned a thing or two best of all , the 2 oldest could not of had any more fun. Im just glad I don't repair small engines for a living.