Hi Jake and rest of world, I just read all the posts on the locked out post, As Jake said this is his forum, he has worked hard to give us his tech and research findings, and i am very thankful, for 2 years i have been reading his posts. The first engine I ever worked on was a type 4 before then i didn't care much for cars, motors in general, but I couldn't afford to pay a garage to fix it. So I just read everything there was about vw's and it just grabbed me and said this is what you should be doing, Now I have a job that i love overhauling gas turbine engines for P&WC. Jake had the same thing happen to him,and he shares everything with us, and he is fulfilling his dream. Not in 9 years of owning a veedub have i found this much information about the type 4, so basically what i am tryin to get across is we are all grateful for your work Jake, and thankyou for makin the type 4 the real flat four.
keep up the great work Jake, Cheers Damien
jake has worked hard for us
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MNAirHead
- Posts: 9570
- Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:12 am
Ditto Ditto
ESSAY - Why I Kiss Jake's Hind Hind End
History
I used to have a 38 Graham Hollywood with a Corvette power train. Hot Rod Guys sucked. They'd find solutions ... then hoard the info.. By mistake I ran into the BugMe Video.... sounded too good to be true... too honest to be a lie.
Anyone ever been around a RAT Engine?
It will change your life... then you talk with Jake.. he's 100% aware of the issues and remembers every spec on it.... even thought it was 2 years back. I called GA for a club member looking for improvements -- solved in 2 minutes.
I believe most of us take his notes for granted.
Where Else Can You Go?
There aren't many places in the world where you can login (to a business man)... discuss a problem... desired outcome... then have a pro improve it... then tell the (potential) customer how to buy the parts from a competing vendor.
Down to Earth on Buget
When a dude charges more for an engine than the Gross Domestic Product of some American States --- it's nice to have him remember some of us have limited hobby cash.
Jake & Joe
I especially enjoy how Joe Cali and Jake Raby aren't dogging down each other -- most places in the world.. 2 guys trying to scratch out a nickel eventually would be...
I've been coached through 3 conversions... still saving nickels for our RAT...
In the mean time... he's been guiding our cars through stock conversions.
Arrogant? -- NOPE
The difference between Arrogance and Leadership is willingness to educate others and the honesty to admit defeat. (I just made that up if there are any platform speakers reading)
BEFORE you reply - Compare
Read the postings of other vendors. Normally they're huckin parts contingent on a future order. Most of them are at each other's necks. Many of them are guessing.
I JUST spent my first bucks with Jake... GULPED as I did the right thing... factored into the parts was the value of the service rendered (in advance)... our assembler is tickled that we're not sending some trashy bugpack parts this time.
Don't go a changin'
Respectfully,
Timmy
If anyone wants to know the intricacies of toilet paper, I'll do my best to serve in the same fashion (yes I pimp tampons)
[/b]
ESSAY - Why I Kiss Jake's Hind Hind End
History
I used to have a 38 Graham Hollywood with a Corvette power train. Hot Rod Guys sucked. They'd find solutions ... then hoard the info.. By mistake I ran into the BugMe Video.... sounded too good to be true... too honest to be a lie.
Anyone ever been around a RAT Engine?
It will change your life... then you talk with Jake.. he's 100% aware of the issues and remembers every spec on it.... even thought it was 2 years back. I called GA for a club member looking for improvements -- solved in 2 minutes.
I believe most of us take his notes for granted.
Where Else Can You Go?
There aren't many places in the world where you can login (to a business man)... discuss a problem... desired outcome... then have a pro improve it... then tell the (potential) customer how to buy the parts from a competing vendor.
Down to Earth on Buget
When a dude charges more for an engine than the Gross Domestic Product of some American States --- it's nice to have him remember some of us have limited hobby cash.
Jake & Joe
I especially enjoy how Joe Cali and Jake Raby aren't dogging down each other -- most places in the world.. 2 guys trying to scratch out a nickel eventually would be...
I've been coached through 3 conversions... still saving nickels for our RAT...
In the mean time... he's been guiding our cars through stock conversions.
Arrogant? -- NOPE
The difference between Arrogance and Leadership is willingness to educate others and the honesty to admit defeat. (I just made that up if there are any platform speakers reading)
BEFORE you reply - Compare
Read the postings of other vendors. Normally they're huckin parts contingent on a future order. Most of them are at each other's necks. Many of them are guessing.
I JUST spent my first bucks with Jake... GULPED as I did the right thing... factored into the parts was the value of the service rendered (in advance)... our assembler is tickled that we're not sending some trashy bugpack parts this time.
Don't go a changin'
Respectfully,
Timmy
If anyone wants to know the intricacies of toilet paper, I'll do my best to serve in the same fashion (yes I pimp tampons)
[/b]
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MASSIVE TYPE IV
- Posts: 20132
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2000 12:01 am
Thanks guys. I read this first thing this morning after a hard last few days.
Since this post came up I will take the opportunity to share a few things.
First off... I am really tired. The past year I have pushed myself to the absolute max with building the new shop, the new business that resides inside of it and having to whittle away at the work that it has added to my chore list everyday. The engine shop is busier than ever and thats about the easiest part of life here on the hill right now.
I sent a PM to the owner of the forums after the bout with "Chuck" that just pushed me over the edge. In that PM I asked him what we would have to do to close my forum yet save all the information and posts for review later on. He PMed me back asking me to sleep on it for a few days and that he would do whatever he could to fulfill my requests. I don't want drama from all this.
I have created a situation where I have a profile higher than most other humans- especially on the internet. I did this without having the goal and I did it without even knowing it- Now its absolutely creating agony.
A good example is what got good ole Chuck going and that was the fact that my huge engine didn't do what I predicted. I was already bummed out about the fact and I didn't need his BS to get the point across. At the same time I look at the fact that it was the very first time I did many of the things inside that engine and that I should be happy with the fact that it didn't just blow apart.
Lots of things will be changing in the coming weeks and months for sure. After 5 years of the STF and approaching 20,000 posts pretty rapidly I have to make a decision whether it is worth it to stay on forums or either hold the information for books to sell or just forget about sharing altogether and spend all my time building the business or the extra spare time building my own project cars(my Thing has been apart for FOUR DAMN YEARS).
If I do the books and videos atleast I'll be gettng paid to hear the people complain and moan about what I say and claim and that should make it one heck of a lot easier to swallow when some prick opens his soup cooler.
I am thankful for the STF and the fact that it has been a huge assistance for sharing information to help get more cars converted to TIV power. I have had many squabbles here with everyone from Danimal to those that login just to bust my balls and I have to say that the good times definately out weigh the bad. IO take pride in knowing that there are many cars out there on the road today because of what I have learned and shared and that does make me feel good.
Five years ago when I was first invited to the STF by Tuna things here at my shop were much different. The days were filled with work and the nights with fun. Back then we seldom had a deadline to make and I honestly had about the same W-2 form as I do now! The big difference is that I got to do a lot of playing(wild stuff) and that was a huge incentive to work for myself (always had been). That fact made it alot easier to swallow issues when they arose but on days like today issues are harder to swallow. Back then I would go off like an M-80 on the fourth of July if someone pissed me off- Now if I did that I'd probably have a heart attack weekly.
I am still weighing out my options and what to do. Like my dad (The wisest man in my world) always says "Nothing ever stays the same". I am finding that this is true and that I must grow with and adapt to the change or walk my own path. Being fairly (mostly) stubborn I sometimes find adaptation difficult or absolutely impossible.
One thing is for sure and thats the fact that Aircooled Technology and the Type 4 Store are here to stay and that no matter how much I limit my sharing of knowledge and testing that what I have created since the age of 13 when I took that 100 dollar bill for building my first engine for a "customer" is 100% unstoppable.
To all those that appreciate what I have done I do thank you and I'll say "Your welcome" now if I have been able to help you even tighten one bolt.
Please lets don't let this get dramatic and blown up to be bigger than it should be. Over the years I have taken several "Breaks" from the STF and other forums when things like this happened, this time it will be more permanent.
Life shouldn't be a job- But mine is.
Jake
Since this post came up I will take the opportunity to share a few things.
First off... I am really tired. The past year I have pushed myself to the absolute max with building the new shop, the new business that resides inside of it and having to whittle away at the work that it has added to my chore list everyday. The engine shop is busier than ever and thats about the easiest part of life here on the hill right now.
I sent a PM to the owner of the forums after the bout with "Chuck" that just pushed me over the edge. In that PM I asked him what we would have to do to close my forum yet save all the information and posts for review later on. He PMed me back asking me to sleep on it for a few days and that he would do whatever he could to fulfill my requests. I don't want drama from all this.
I have created a situation where I have a profile higher than most other humans- especially on the internet. I did this without having the goal and I did it without even knowing it- Now its absolutely creating agony.
A good example is what got good ole Chuck going and that was the fact that my huge engine didn't do what I predicted. I was already bummed out about the fact and I didn't need his BS to get the point across. At the same time I look at the fact that it was the very first time I did many of the things inside that engine and that I should be happy with the fact that it didn't just blow apart.
Lots of things will be changing in the coming weeks and months for sure. After 5 years of the STF and approaching 20,000 posts pretty rapidly I have to make a decision whether it is worth it to stay on forums or either hold the information for books to sell or just forget about sharing altogether and spend all my time building the business or the extra spare time building my own project cars(my Thing has been apart for FOUR DAMN YEARS).
If I do the books and videos atleast I'll be gettng paid to hear the people complain and moan about what I say and claim and that should make it one heck of a lot easier to swallow when some prick opens his soup cooler.
I am thankful for the STF and the fact that it has been a huge assistance for sharing information to help get more cars converted to TIV power. I have had many squabbles here with everyone from Danimal to those that login just to bust my balls and I have to say that the good times definately out weigh the bad. IO take pride in knowing that there are many cars out there on the road today because of what I have learned and shared and that does make me feel good.
Five years ago when I was first invited to the STF by Tuna things here at my shop were much different. The days were filled with work and the nights with fun. Back then we seldom had a deadline to make and I honestly had about the same W-2 form as I do now! The big difference is that I got to do a lot of playing(wild stuff) and that was a huge incentive to work for myself (always had been). That fact made it alot easier to swallow issues when they arose but on days like today issues are harder to swallow. Back then I would go off like an M-80 on the fourth of July if someone pissed me off- Now if I did that I'd probably have a heart attack weekly.
I am still weighing out my options and what to do. Like my dad (The wisest man in my world) always says "Nothing ever stays the same". I am finding that this is true and that I must grow with and adapt to the change or walk my own path. Being fairly (mostly) stubborn I sometimes find adaptation difficult or absolutely impossible.
One thing is for sure and thats the fact that Aircooled Technology and the Type 4 Store are here to stay and that no matter how much I limit my sharing of knowledge and testing that what I have created since the age of 13 when I took that 100 dollar bill for building my first engine for a "customer" is 100% unstoppable.
To all those that appreciate what I have done I do thank you and I'll say "Your welcome" now if I have been able to help you even tighten one bolt.
Please lets don't let this get dramatic and blown up to be bigger than it should be. Over the years I have taken several "Breaks" from the STF and other forums when things like this happened, this time it will be more permanent.
Life shouldn't be a job- But mine is.
Jake
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Plastermaster
- Posts: 2762
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2001 12:01 am
Jake, You are right on with everything you said there. We all participate in these forums for enjoyment and to share what we have learned. Where most of us are just one project people, you have grown into an amazing size in a way that seems humanly impossible, due to pure dedication and hard work. Therefore there are a few that will always be taking pot shots. Most every case I have witnessed, the overtones were obviously disatisfaction with themselves. Some folks make themselves better by trying to reduce others rather than improve on themselves. As you pointed out, the good has outweighed the bad, so why give a few jerks the satisfaction of victory? One thing you can learn from the Berg family regarding critisizm, "Don't worry about it:" What ever you do publicly, with the forums and such, is recieved with great appreciation from the vast majority. I hope you can continue and still be happy about it. But, life is too short to torture yourself, so what ever you decide, the friendships you have made will always remain.
Ron
Ron
-
914fan.
Jake,
I have said it before and I'll say it again. thank you for all the help and information you have provided both directly and indirectly to me and others. I do hope that you will continue to post here and share. I also hope that you DO write a book. I WILL BUY IT. There are some people that need comotion and problems. They enjoy it. (like when the heavy guy in Stand by Me got everybody barffing at the pie eating contest)
Again I thank you for the help and I hope (selfishly) that you stay...
Nicholas Delgado
914FAN
I have said it before and I'll say it again. thank you for all the help and information you have provided both directly and indirectly to me and others. I do hope that you will continue to post here and share. I also hope that you DO write a book. I WILL BUY IT. There are some people that need comotion and problems. They enjoy it. (like when the heavy guy in Stand by Me got everybody barffing at the pie eating contest)
Again I thank you for the help and I hope (selfishly) that you stay...
Nicholas Delgado
914FAN
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doc
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samcat
- Posts: 1088
- Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2001 12:01 am
Here here,
You do whatever feels like the right thing. You can always change your mind
Have learnt a huge amount from you, and it will be a shame if your not around on here anymore... How about just cutting down a bit? (limit yourself to 30mins a day or something)
Always good to read your threads, usually give some real inspirations to go try something different!
CYa,
Sam C
You do whatever feels like the right thing. You can always change your mind
Have learnt a huge amount from you, and it will be a shame if your not around on here anymore... How about just cutting down a bit? (limit yourself to 30mins a day or something)
Always good to read your threads, usually give some real inspirations to go try something different!
CYa,
Sam C
ʇɐɔɯɐs
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sparkmaster1
- Moderator
- Posts: 1978
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2001 1:01 am
Jake, great post. I hope you know how much you've help and inspire me over the past years. You need to do what is best for you and your great, growing company. Good luck in the future and take some more time for yourself. I know where you're at if I'm ever down that way. I'll just look for squirell's running for their life away from Raby Drive!!. Thanks again, Tim
Owner Tim's ACVW Engine/Trans Service
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NO_H2O
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 12:01 am
With the Engine Shop as busy as it is, the Type 4 Store taking flight and research/development yet to do, I don't think I could keep up that break-neck pace. Let alone the hours it takes to keep up with the number of forums you have a presence on. I have never know or heard of anyone else on the cutting edge their trade that shares information so freely. A break form the forums is deserved and more than likely overdue.There comes a point when there are just not enough hours in a day to do it all and something has to be set aside. Most folks will understand that. And though I'm sure other things will flood in and fill the time once spent keeping up with the forums,,,,,,, maybe you can find some well earned time for yourself.
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dd-ardvark
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2002 1:01 am
To come clean and say that I have an addiction, I think I speak for a lot of people and in the same breath just my own. Addictions, not passions... we all have them to some degree, the trick is to not let them consume you. Jake, being on the outside looking in, I've seen very few people with deep passions in their endeavors as the likes of you. Don't let any of this become an addiction, take a break and whatever the outcome of your decision is, I'll respect it.
I'll will say: For me, this forum is like opening the morning newspaper, I've gotten very used to it, and when I can't get my fix of news, I notice I seem to be missing something.
Jake, your Pop is right "Nothing ever stays the same", it's all part of life.
dd-ardvark
I'll will say: For me, this forum is like opening the morning newspaper, I've gotten very used to it, and when I can't get my fix of news, I notice I seem to be missing something.
Jake, your Pop is right "Nothing ever stays the same", it's all part of life.
dd-ardvark
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R2.0
- Posts: 602
- Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2004 12:18 pm
This is going to be contrarian, but not in a negative way. Most of the posts so far have urged you to do whatever you feel is best. In the end, that is what you are going to do, but I want to take this opportunity to urge you not to totally give up on the forums. I'll put forward the following reasons:
1. Advertising: The Aircooled Technology forum provides advertising for your business of the best kind - word of mouth. I personally would never have heard of your business w/o the forums. I can't afford your full house engines now, but I won't be poor forever (I hope).
2. Evangelism: I have been converted to a T4 believer almost wholly through your posts and especially the data you put up for everyone to see. That increases the number of people who are willing to go the T4 route, and so increases your potential customer base.
3. Feedback: You get a lot of feedback from here. Some is positive, some negative, some usefull, and some stupid. But my opinion is that ALL feedback is valuable.
That being said, I would urge you to cut back on the forum participation. Limit yourself to X minutes per day. Questions don't get answered? So what! If a potential customer is asking nickel/dime questions when a search would do, and then get bent out of shape at the lack of response, I don't know that they are going to be a good customer. In that vein, let the peanut gallery take care of the asswipes who post just to get your goat. Fun for us, entertaining for you.
No one here who is a real potential customer will get bent out of shape if you cut back, but I know I would hate to see you disappear, and I think so would most others. I hope to see you stay, but wish you the best if you go.
R2.0
1. Advertising: The Aircooled Technology forum provides advertising for your business of the best kind - word of mouth. I personally would never have heard of your business w/o the forums. I can't afford your full house engines now, but I won't be poor forever (I hope).
2. Evangelism: I have been converted to a T4 believer almost wholly through your posts and especially the data you put up for everyone to see. That increases the number of people who are willing to go the T4 route, and so increases your potential customer base.
3. Feedback: You get a lot of feedback from here. Some is positive, some negative, some usefull, and some stupid. But my opinion is that ALL feedback is valuable.
That being said, I would urge you to cut back on the forum participation. Limit yourself to X minutes per day. Questions don't get answered? So what! If a potential customer is asking nickel/dime questions when a search would do, and then get bent out of shape at the lack of response, I don't know that they are going to be a good customer. In that vein, let the peanut gallery take care of the asswipes who post just to get your goat. Fun for us, entertaining for you.
No one here who is a real potential customer will get bent out of shape if you cut back, but I know I would hate to see you disappear, and I think so would most others. I hope to see you stay, but wish you the best if you go.
R2.0
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11907
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
Jake ...if you leave, you will be missed. I amen to trying moderation first as well...or maybe as you say, just a sabbattical.
On to other things for a moment. Your type 4 store has been a long time coming. Its the right thing to do...and it will be prosperous. A note from someone who has been in and out of a lot of businesses...and this concerns the store...and the rods group buy. Relax for just a few. You have customers. This is a wierd time of the year (january through april). Its tax season. A lot of people have money coming they did not exspect...maybe. And peculiarly.....spending slows and stops across teh board and across teh nation...until people either know when its coming in...or that its even coming in. All service oriented businesses like restaurants and garages generally get slow during this period. People are unsure.
Chances are...many of the people that promised for the rods....either had moments of seasonal monitary indecisions...probably not related to the rods....or the cost. Its money that though budgeted for ...and sooner or later forthcoming...is not there yet. They will most likely be sending it to you for one of your other fine products soon.
Take my situation for instance. It may be a month...it may be two months...but you WILL wake up to a MO one morning for ceramic lifters, specialized cam , gear and oil pump....and possibly line boring and Kolbenschidt oversized bearings. But...like many others....Its been two years...two ass-kicking jobs...and 100,000 miles of travel. The car is in a storage unit until next week....been there for a year...and I can only work on small related projects, until time allows.
Things are a strange confluence of timing for everyone. Just trying to say...relax...concentrate on one thing for a while to get a better focus. Your ground work is done. You have done enough R&D...to stop that work and just concentrate growing the business...for about 6-10 months. Take advantage of it. We will still be here....and you will be back.
Ray
On to other things for a moment. Your type 4 store has been a long time coming. Its the right thing to do...and it will be prosperous. A note from someone who has been in and out of a lot of businesses...and this concerns the store...and the rods group buy. Relax for just a few. You have customers. This is a wierd time of the year (january through april). Its tax season. A lot of people have money coming they did not exspect...maybe. And peculiarly.....spending slows and stops across teh board and across teh nation...until people either know when its coming in...or that its even coming in. All service oriented businesses like restaurants and garages generally get slow during this period. People are unsure.
Chances are...many of the people that promised for the rods....either had moments of seasonal monitary indecisions...probably not related to the rods....or the cost. Its money that though budgeted for ...and sooner or later forthcoming...is not there yet. They will most likely be sending it to you for one of your other fine products soon.
Take my situation for instance. It may be a month...it may be two months...but you WILL wake up to a MO one morning for ceramic lifters, specialized cam , gear and oil pump....and possibly line boring and Kolbenschidt oversized bearings. But...like many others....Its been two years...two ass-kicking jobs...and 100,000 miles of travel. The car is in a storage unit until next week....been there for a year...and I can only work on small related projects, until time allows.
Things are a strange confluence of timing for everyone. Just trying to say...relax...concentrate on one thing for a while to get a better focus. Your ground work is done. You have done enough R&D...to stop that work and just concentrate growing the business...for about 6-10 months. Take advantage of it. We will still be here....and you will be back.
Ray-
Tom in PA
- Posts: 639
- Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 3:18 pm
This is strange. I was thinking of either making a post or simply emailing Jake tonight regarding this. I noticed that he seemed a bit frazzled recently and thinking back, he has been PUSHING IT for several months straight now and the last weeks of getting the 3.OH together were even worse. My intent was to recommend he consider stepping back some from all the forums he contributes to. He needs to take some time to recoup. I don't expect he'll slow down much, but at this point, even he is burning out. He needs to be carefult not to be a victim of his own success. We are all hungry for new type IV parts and he has taken much personal time/effort to feed this hunger. At this point stepping back for a bit and reorganizing, refocusing would be a good thing for everyone involved. He's finally managed to open the type IV floodgates and now he needs to adjust to the situation. I certainly don't want to lose his input, even if it's just reiterating old advise and saving new info for a different format. (of course any new info is always welcome). I echo all of the above sentiments. This is also my daily "newspaper" and I read virtially every aircooled technology post becuse there are very few useless posts.
Jake, of course we'll support whatever you decide. I have a feeling you'll be back, just not full time. You do need to take a break of some sort though. Things can and will be fun again. Hell, with a 3.OH, how can they not be???
Good luck and take care of yourself.
Tom
Jake, of course we'll support whatever you decide. I have a feeling you'll be back, just not full time. You do need to take a break of some sort though. Things can and will be fun again. Hell, with a 3.OH, how can they not be???
Good luck and take care of yourself.
Tom