7 pointsby yogthos3 hours ago2 comments
  • dieselgate23 minutes ago
    > Service members on the battlefield and in the line of duty were often restricted from accessing repair and maintenance materials for critical military components during life-threatening situations

    You've gotta be kidding me!

    I know it's a different era and stuff but the "Screamin' Jimmy" 2-stroke diesel [0] from WWII and beyond is a canon of reusable parts and field repair. There are single cylinder up to 24-cylinder(!!!) models which all share common parts.

    From [0]: "Bore and stroke are the same across all units, at 4+1⁄4 in × 5 in (108 mm × 127 mm). Inline models were famously "symmetrical," meaning that the blower, exhaust, water manifold, starter, and other components could be mounted on either side of the basic block to fit a particular application. A number of models could also run with the crankshaft turning either clockwise or counter-clockwise, called "Right Hand" or "Left Hand" rotation engines (as viewed from the front of the engine)."

    [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Diesel_Series_71

  • FrankWilhoit2 hours ago
    Time was, any company, even the largest, would sacrifice any aspect of their business model in order to get Federal contracts. That was [the only place] where the money was. Right of repair? Source code in escrow? Documentation in Maldrevian? Support for 99 years? Yes Sir whatever you want Sir.

    What has changed?