What did you do to your non-G body project today? [2023]

[Wageslave]

Car manufacturers use old outdated computing hardware, plain and simple. All of them from what I (think I) understand.

I work in a factory that makes some of those kind of modules. It's not that they use old and outdated hardware as much as those modules are built to only be as fast and have enough I/O for the task they are asked to do. Anything more is considered a waste.

With the bus architecture in new cars, a few simple modules with basic programming and very basic processors but decent I/O that are linked together to a central computer that is relatively low power and low I/O but is tasked almost exclusively with handling other devices can be cheaper than one fast computer that handles everything.

 

[Hurricane77]

I work in a factory that makes some of those kind of modules. It's not that they use old and outdated hardware as much as those modules are built to only be as fast and have enough I/O for the task they are asked to do. Anything more is considered a waste.

With the bus architecture in new cars, a few simple modules with basic programming and very basic processors but decent I/O that are linked together to a central computer that is relatively low power and low I/O but is tasked almost exclusively with handling other devices can be cheaper than one fast computer that handles everything.

There's a few other factors at play as well. The OEMs aren't designing every single nut and bolt on a car nowadays. A lot of subsystems are contracted out to tier 1 and 2 suppliers. For example. the ABS system comes from Bosch or some other supplier. They're going to require certain inputs for their system to function properly. But they're not going to want to necessarily rely on the hardware from some other supplier. But the CANBUS architecture makes it easy for them to interface to other modules regardless of suppliers.

This architecture also lends itself to a distributed computing model. As someone else already mentioned, it provides a level of increased reliability. If one module fails, it doesn't take the whole car and everything else down with it.

You also have to consider the timing aspect of what these automotive computers are doing. In many cases, these are considered real time computing systems. You know how sometimes your computer or phone kind of has a brain fart and becomes unresponsive for a few seconds? You want that happening with your engine management? Or your brakes?

 

[Bonnewagon]

On the 1967 tilt column I dry fitted everything so I can make sure it all is there and works. Because it was disassembled and tossed into a box several things went missing. The lower bearing was shot. But since I used the lower mast end from a 1968 standard column I was able to pirate a lower bearing from the parts column. When you de-grease it the tiny bearings fall right out and get lost so I used the remaining ball bearings from the '67 to fill in the '68 housing. Once I greased it all they are staying put. That was lucky because pre-1969 bearings are scarce as unicorn horns. Then I found out that one of the turn signal screws was missing. There are three long shouldered screws on the standard column, but the tilt column uses two short shouldered screws and one slightly shorter than the others. Of course, that one is missing. I would have just cut down one of the long ones but the threads are different. In fact I still haven't identified the tilt screw threads. I think it is #12 coarse but I am not positive. My Dad was a Depression kid and saved everything. I inherited all his coffee cans full of nuts, bolts, and washers. In there I found several short shouldered screws the correct thread. The shoulder was not fat enough but I found a short sleeve that did the trick. I shortened that screw and it fits perfectly. Thanks Dad. In the pic are the long standard screw, the short tilt screw, and my fabricated screw.

 

[MrSony]

Put a new master on the k1500 after I bench bled it. Has brakes now, but still of course needs bled bled.

 

[CopperNick]

Your tilt screws might have been old school 3/16ths NC aka 12-24. You'd need to have a very old hardware store available to you to have a chance of scoring them; or a grand-dad or dad that stashed leftover hardware. For meThat individual was my Grand-Dad and it drove my Dad nuts when it came time to clean out the homestead so it could be sold. Grand-Dad was a depression Father and kept everything!! Could barely get into the basement for all the wood lath that he had accumulated. The old vise that he scrounged from the elevator that he worked at ended up at my Aunt's and from there it came back home with me to be in my shop where it still sees regular service when I need to do something stupid; like take a 20 foot length of tubular fence rail and remove a kink/bend from it.

Just for the sake of it, maybe McMaster-Carr?



Nick

 

[Bonnewagon]

Are you kidding? Some of my favorite tools were handed down from my Grandpa. I have the wrenches that came with a Model A from the factory. Back then you were supposed to USE them because no one was out there to help you. They are some odd sizes that often save the day. The coffee can of screws I have came from an ancient hardware store closeout. My Dad's neighbor worked there and gave him first crack at all the stuff. I have so much I had to put up shelves under my basement stairs just to handle all the coffee cans.

 

[CopperNick]

No luck that way as my own Grand-dad used a bicycle for his basic mode of transportation, unless it was winter and even then a lot of the workers used their bikes because they couldn't afford the cost of the bus/tram. Having to feed a large family as he did, the money coming in went to the basic overhead costs of living; food, clothing, and shelter.

I do happen to have a set of vintage CCM bike wrenches though. Quite probable that they were used to change tire tubes and retension chains.

My Dad's tool legacy to me was his woodworking shop; most of which is as it was when he was alive. I don't do all that much woodwork in the house; Mom's greatest complaint was the dust that insinuated itself into everywhere. Think I mentioned a while ago that I used to go to bed while he was in the basement and would fall asleep to the thunder of the circular saw as it took on some kind of board or piece of lumber for some project or another.

Apart from that is his set of tools for the 37 Ford that he owned before he went into the service. Most of the sockets were for square headed nuts and bolts; they still work, but I have nothing in the current inventory that old and zero to nil in terms of any probability that a 32 might find its way into my Infamous Bay One.




Nick

 

[CopperNick]

Total Non-Sequitur here, but the early news feed mentioned a mid air collision between two helicopters of the 101st Airborne near somewhere called Trigg City in Kentucky. Since this board does have active duty members among its contributors, hope no one we know was involved, or any of their immediate brothers in arms. it is a small community.



Nick

 

[scoti]

Total Non-Sequitur here, but the early news feed mentioned a mid air collision between two helicopters of the 101st Airborne near somewhere called Trigg City in Kentucky. Since this board does have active duty members among its contributors, hope no one we know was involved, or any of their immediate brothers in arms. it is a small community.



Nick

Just read that headline mins ago but haven't seen the story yet. Sad news....

 

[Bonnewagon]

Anyone who has served knows that screw-ups are not uncommon. Usually no one gets hurt but every now and then the screw-up is so bad soldiers get hurt or die. It's just part of the risk involved playing with war machinery. Wether they saw actual combat or not, most vets have some hair raising stories to tell.

Grand-dad used a bicycle for his basic mode of transportation

Me too. My work was about 4 miles away, with a big hill between me and there. But I looked at it as a great way to keep in shape as well as an excuse to leave the car at home. After work I usually took a side trip through the woods or by the bay. That is the only part of work I miss.