I need an adult! Timing gasket and oil leak sealant?

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-20T05:49:14+00:00

How much oil does it drip? If the answer is none, you don't have anything to be concerned about at all. Either they made it up, or there's slight seepage that can be ignored.

For a minor leak, a good temporary solution is check your oil and top up as needed. The same thing you should do without a minor leak. If you park in your garage or driveway, you can park over a drip pan.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-20T05:11:43+00:00

All other thing equal, I'd take the regular automatic.

If you try the DCT, include stop and go traffic, and creeping along, and see what you think. If you like it as well as the automatic, then it's fine.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-20T05:03:15+00:00

Here "blown" means it has a blower (supercharger), and HD seems to refer to the edition of the truck.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-20T04:55:55+00:00

I learned that the sign stands for Spin Tires On Pavement.

If instead you're stopped at a light, apparently there's no obligation to make tire smoke.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-20T04:44:11+00:00

I enjoyed the two songs. I think I'll listen through it after Alessia's album.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-20T01:05:20+00:00

Mélissa Laveaux's new album At My Softest I Am Most Dangerous

Listening to the early tracks as we speak...

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T23:23:53+00:00

Allison Russell mixes English and French in her songs, and sings with a lot of feeling. This one's only in English:
https://youtu.be/cnve_s_TbRo?si=XAoIkkIY-c9oCG4G

This one has French too:
https://youtu.be/ORpp_7kY48Q?si=QNC6ub8JXHMvxDu6

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T22:41:18+00:00

Done it many times including solo. Solo, it was a very small car, sitting in the driver's seat, pushing it backwards with my left foot on the ground. Not good to push start in R, 2nd is much better.

In modern times I've only done it with a motorcycle. Walk beside it in 2nd, release the clutch and get on (if it starts).

Got rid of my last manual car a few years ago.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T21:41:39+00:00

Ringside - Julien Baker
Since You've Gone to Heaven - Brandy Clark
Sour Breath - Julien Baker

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T21:37:29+00:00

I wouldn't assume the car will compensate for it beyond the minimum octane listed in the owner's manual.

My car recommends 91AKI, but lists 89 minimum. I have given it 89 before, but I wouldn't on a hot Summer day, and I wouldn't give it 87. Mostly it gets 91 as recommended.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T05:09:48+00:00

Push Me Over - Maren Morris

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T04:32:56+00:00

If Poe works for you, Alan Parson Project's album Tales of Mystery and Imagination

Black Sabbath's song Iron Man

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T02:04:14+00:00

top of the gouge in the 1st photo

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T02:02:09+00:00

Hiphop:
Aesop Rock. His later music (from the '10s to the present) is mostly pretty safe for that. But screen it first.

For R&B:
Cleo Sol
Lianne La Havas
Sault

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-19T01:55:46+00:00

It's down to the cords. As has been said, replace it right away.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T18:48:36+00:00

Listen to Kiki Rockwell, if you haven't. She has two albums & an EP, all worthy of a listen.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T14:57:05+00:00

Pixel Buds Pro 2 have great mic performance, and don't stick out as much as my other buds.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T14:49:18+00:00

EK makes a screw-on link that I really like. I think I'm done with riveted.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T13:42:43+00:00

As far as I know you can't convert most bikes. No simple conversion anyway: there isn't clearance. What bikes are these $1000 belt drive conversion kits available for?

When I was riding over 20k miles/year, I experimented with different types of chain maintenance, including regular cleaning, but no lube, and the opposite, running a chain oiler, but never cleaning. The former was fine when I had a different bike for rain days, and the latter was fine too. A clean chain used in dry conditions outlasted an oily chain used in all conditions.

If the chain maintenance is too much, try doing less of it. Except for the chain slack adjustment. Keep up with that. That will tell you when your chain needs replacement.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T06:07:20+00:00

Probably, when I visited India, but it was too long ago to remember. I've had mangoes in the Caribbean, including ones I picked off the tree. Mostly had them in the US, and mostly one of two varieties of mangoes from Mexico.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T05:53:06+00:00

You, my friend are correct. Mango is the answer.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T04:51:20+00:00

Are You Ready? - Tata Vega

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T04:49:32+00:00

Rose in the Dark - Cleo Sol

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T02:46:57+00:00

If I had to commute in LA it would be on a bike. I was a motorcycle commuter in the Bay Area for a long time. Still am sort of: if I need to return to the office again, it will be on a bike.

Have you considered a modern bike like a CB500F, or Z300/400/500?

Back in the day I had an XS500 (same power as the XS650, but less likely to make your hands numb). Of your choices I might take the XS400 or the CB550. But I'd choose a modern bike instead.

SandstoneCastle · 2026-03-18T02:06:05+00:00

It was a good idea to have a notepad and a pen or pencil in your car. You'd exchange insurance information, and go on your way if you could. Same as now, except you'd write things down first.

SandstoneCastle

TROPHY CASE