Books - a serious question

[Fastbrit]

Interesting reading, guys. I think you all feel pretty much the same as I do – there is nothing like having a new (or old...) book in your hands. I love books and when asked what I wanted for Christmas or birthdays, always told my folks 'a book token'. I could spend thousands on new books.

BTW, my post wasn't to provoke people into saying nice things about my books, but a genuine enquiry as we all have such fun on this forum that it did make me wonder if I should devote my efforts into web-based stuff. I REALLY don't want to go down that route, though... Guess I'll stick to the old method for the foreseeable future!

Oh, and a new engine book is planned...

[roland]

Books are my second money pit after cars... and during the winter it would be more into books than cars! I love art books, comics, or just regular reading books... So i don't think you should go all web-based, no...

[jamiep_jamiep]

Just to second what most on here have said.

I LOVE looking at pictures and information on the internet, but reading the same thing in a book is a totally different experience (for me anyway).

to spend time with a  with a book (or magazine for that matter) - be it a few moments or a proper session in the evening or Sunday afternoon always seems a treat and an occasion. Pictures also just look DIFFERENT in a book. If I'd seen a picture 100 times on the internet I would still like to look at it in a book.

Something I always do which I'm sure many others do, is to save a few months worth of my fave VW magazines unread and untouched in the run up to me going away on holiday, buy a good book then when I get there my reading is a major part of the unwinding process....

Books are and always will be my preferred method of reading information.

The internet is an addition to it, not a replacement.

[nigelg65]

The internet is great for what it does, but what it does is totally different to the function of a book.

The internet was invented to provide a means of communication and that's what it's best at - this forum is proof of that. A book is a document, a celebration, a great thing to own.

Keep going Keith

[Fastbrit]

Keep going Keith

I'm tryin', Im tryin'...

[louisb]

Oh, and a new engine book is planned...

GREAT! When do you want us to start giving you input on what a new engine book should cover. 

I would like to see something that is less a recipe book and more a tech manual on designing and building hipo VW engines. An updated How to Hot Rod VW engines with a heavy does of the interchange manual and a large section on planning, blue printing and proper assembly. (Is that too much?  )

--louis

[j-f]

If I can suggest an input, for me, it is how to machine a deck height? 

I don't know if only the barrels need to be machine or also the case. 

[louisb]

If I can suggest an input, for me, it is how to machine a deck height? 

I don't know if only the barrels need to be machine or also the case. 

That depends on if both barrels are the same height.

--louis

[j-f]

I think I understand a little more.

Deck height has to be the same for compression ratio and barrels have to be at the same height to have heads that are correctly flat.
So it is not possible to just adjust the deck only machining barrels.

But, it should be cool to have that in a book 

[Jim Ratto]

I think a new engine book would be cool. BUT here are some curve balls

- pics of parts being made would be interesting.... like cams being ground, cases being cast, cranks being ground. A neat series of full color photos would make an interesting documentary. .

- a chapter on building a period correct hot rod motor from say, 1975 or so..... or even 1968.

- a buildup of one engine, from unwrapping parts all the way thru dyno and then into car and being maintained. Raced?

[Tony M]

The books will allways be around - Any time you want - Really still nothing better than a good book.

[Bewitched666]

I love the vw hot rod books,i can readem time and time over again and it never gets borred.

Everytime i read a book again i come across some info i didnt see before as i didnt get it at first.

Keep the books comming Keith and i want i signed one in dec,

[Germanlkmanx]

Oh, and a new engine book is planned...

Yeah Keith, good stuff, that's what I was going to suggest!! Times have moved on in the world of the ACVW flat four.

I was 15 when I started building engines and getting into this stuff properly and it was your books that taught me the difference between a camshaft and a cylinder head. For the young beginner who took an interest it made the best reading.

10 years on and I picked up your interchange manual (now a little worse for wear!) just yesterday for a quick reference to check the specs on a C65. I could have done that on the internet, I mean the laptop was right in front of me , but I chose the book - somehow it's just more satisfying?

Whats the new engine book gonna be about? Hopefully there is some advanced reading in there, I'd love to read your opinions on grinding camshafts for nitrous use, new info about oil drains, efi, indepth turbo talk, etc. etc. I could go on. I'd love to write a book myself one day on the subject, I can't imagine how satisfying it must be to walk into Waterstones (clicking onto Amazon - Hmmm doesn't work does it?) and see your work just sitting there on the shelf. Unfortunately i'm not sure I have the 'gift of the gab' to keep it entertaining for 140 pages...one day maybe!

Anyway, please keep up the good work as to me you are THE reason that the ACVW wasn't simply a passing fad as a teenager. Thank you for giving me the best hobby I could wish for.

Now go write some more books, I can't know everything just yet. 

Tom Kettle.

[Russell]

Keith

I read books weekly some books i have read a few times.... your cal book, ive lost count how many times Ive read it as you relax and dream about the old days....

Books are great, keep them comming.

I know what i want to see next 

[Zach Gomulka]

There is no substitute for a good book. Besides, running all those PC wires into the john is just plain dangerous

[Lee.C]

plus laptops/computers are not really practical on the toilet or in bed 

[Sarge]

There is no substitute for a good book. Besides, running all those PC wires into the john is just plain dangerous

plus laptops/computers are not really practical on the toilet or in bed 

There's an ass for every saddle...

[Rennsurfer]

HAHAHA!!! Sarge, that picture is priceless.

Keith, looking very forward to your new book. I hope that you're able to create more as time goes on. I think there enough people (thank God) that still believe in the concept of books. And that's a good thing.