#Performance Rebuild Kit

[gearstar54]

4L60E High Performance Rebuild Kit – Upgrade Now!

Enhance your transmission with our 4L60E high performance rebuild kit. Designed for maximum durability and smoother shifting, it’s perfect for high-torque applications and performance vehicles. Includes heavy-duty components to boost reliability and extend transmission life. Ideal for street and track use. Contact us today to get your upgrade!

[engineaustralia]

Learn more: https://www.engineaustralia.com.au/7-reasons-why-engine-australia-is-your-top-choice-for-quality-caterpillar-parts/

[jamesmartin12021]

Here’s What You Should Know About The 700R4 Performance Transmission

The 700R4 automatic transmission is 4-speed in Chevrolet and GMC cars and trucks. General Motors launched this automatic transmission in the early 1980s, an upgrade to the popular 3-speed TH350 transmission and the older models of rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Renowned for its robust performance and enduring legacy, the 700R4 has left an indelible mark on Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, setting new standards in efficiency and reliability. Before you understand the fundamentals of the 700R4 performance rebuild kit, you need to focus on the performance transmission before focusing on other details.

Here are some of the aspects you should focus on before obtaining the 7004R performance transmission:

Gearstar’s Performance Transmission: The Genesis

The genesis of the 700R4 transmission heralded a paradigm shift in automotive engineering, driven by a singular goal: to enhance fuel economy without compromising performance.

General Motors’ visionary leap resulted in a 4-speed automatic transmission that seamlessly integrated a 30 percent overdrive in 4th gear, revolutionizing the driving experience. This innovative design optimized fuel efficiency and made vehicles more economical, setting a new benchmark in the industry.

A Legacy of Performance

From the rugged terrains of GMC’s Jimmy to the sleek contours of Chevrolet’s Corvette, the 700R4 transmission found its home in an illustrious lineup of vehicles spanning over a decade. Its versatility and reliability earned it a revered status among automotive enthusiasts and industry experts.

Whether navigating city streets or conquering off-road adventures, the 700R4 transmission stood a testament to engineering excellence and enduring performance.

Unmatched Adaptability

One of the hallmarks of the 700R4 transmission is its unparalleled adaptability across diverse vehicle platforms. From the rugged terrain-conquering prowess of the GMC Syclone to the refined luxury of Cadillac’s Brougham, this transmission seamlessly integrated into many automotive landscapes, delivering uncompromising performance and reliability. Its versatility remains unrivaled, transcending boundaries and redefining the driving experience for generations of enthusiasts.

The Ultimate Rebuild Kit Guide

Navigating the intricacies of rebuilding a transmission can be daunting, especially for those venturing into uncharted territory. However, the journey becomes infinitely more manageable, armed with the right tools and knowledge.

The Ultimate 700R4 Rebuild Kit Guide from Gearstar Performance Transmissions offers comprehensive insights and expert recommendations for aspiring rebuilders. From meticulously curated components to step-by-step instructions, this guide empowers enthusiasts to embark on their rebuilding journey confidently and precisely.

Focus on the challenge.

Rebuilding a 700R4 transmission requires a steadfast commitment to excellence and a willingness to embrace challenges head-on. While the task may seem daunting at first, with dedication and perseverance, success becomes inevitable.

The Significance Of 700R4 Rebuild Manual

When it comes to standard transmission rebuild manuals, the ATSG Manual is a perfect choice. They have a 700R4 rebuild manual with brilliantly sketched diagrams and top-notch information that helps ensure you do the right thing as you rebuild your 700R4 transmission.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 700R4 performance transmission is a testament to innovation, reliability, and enduring performance. From its inception to its enduring legacy, this automotive marvel continues to captivate enthusiasts and redefine industry standards.

Footnotes

With the right tools, knowledge, and determination, rebuilding the 700R4 transmission becomes a challenge and a journey of discovery and accomplishment.

So, gear up, embrace the challenge, and unleash the full potential of this automotive powerhouse.

[rooks-dagger]

OC Layers Tag

Thanks for the tag @themildmahariel and @dancing--lights💜

Gently tagging @dudewheresmynug @in-the-drowning-deep @curiouswisp @grimrevolution @master-of-the-elements and @augustnugs (no pressure, of course!)

Ember Mercar

LAYER ONE: THE OUTSIDE

Name: Ember "Rook" Mercar

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Style/Color: A mane of long, dark brown and wavy hair.

Height: 5'6" (or so she says)

Clothing Style: If she's not in her armor, it's pretty standard Shadow Dragon attire.

Best Physical Feature: She's quite proud of her physique. And her hair. Oh, and the scar across her face. She thinks it makes her look dashing.

LAYER TWO: THE INSIDE

Fears: Getting her friends hurt or killed on the job. Being tossed aside once she's no longer useful. Not being able to fight anymore.

Guilty Pleasure: A good glass of whiskey.

Biggest Pet Peeve: Slow walkers.

Ambition for the Future: Save the world from the gods. Build the Veilguard into something that outlive her. Build a life in Dock Town with Neve. Keep up the fight for Minrathous to become the city she knows it can be.

LAYER THREE: THOUGHTS

First Thoughts Waking Up: "What's wrong?", "What do you need?", "Who died?" / (post-canon) "I'm up, I'm up."

What They Think About the Most: The fight against the gods / rebuilding Minrathous (and Thedas) after the gods are defeated. How to best support her friends and allies. Neve.

What They Think About Before Bed: Neve. The work ahead. Something funny she saw/heard that day that made her laugh.

What They Think Their Best Quality Is: Her tenacity. Like Varric said, she just doesn't know when to quit.

LAYER FOUR: WHAT’S BETTER?

Single or Group Dates: Single.

To be Loved or Respected: Loved.

Beauty or Brains: Brains.

Dogs or Cats: Both! Dogs have a slight advantage (mostly because she can roughhouse with them) but she gets to pet more cats in Minrathous.

LAYER FIVE: DO YOU?

Lie: Not really, and not well. She can bluff in Wicked Grace (and in the face of danger), but she’s not great at actual deceit.

Believe in Yourself: Yes. There was no other option. She’s the one thing she’ll always have in her tool kit. And she's done alright so far.

Believe in Love: Absolutely.

Want Someone: Well...sure. (She very unsubtly glances over at Neve)

LAYER SIX: HAVE YOU EVER?

Been on Stage: Yes, but she was drunk and is basing this off a story Harding could barely retell without laughing to the point of tears... so it's probably best Ember has no memory of it lol

Done Drugs: Maybe. Why, you a cop? (Yes, she has.)

Changed Who You Were to Fit In: She's amplified her traits to perform her role, but she believes in some things too strongly and too loudly to change them even when it would benefit her.

LAYER SEVEN: WHAT’S THEIR…

Favourite colours: Red

Favourite animal: Griffons (once she found out they were real)

Favourite book: She's not a big reader, but she'd definitely say Davrin's monster hunting manual + Bellara's serials once those are published.

Favourite game: Wicked Grace. She also likes darts.

LAYER EIGHT: AGE

DOB: 10 Cassus (she doesn’t have any information on her birth, so she chose her own name day)

How Old Will You Be: She's ~30 at the start of Veilguard

Age You Lost Your Virginity: ~17

Does Age Matter: Nah.

LAYER NINE: FINISH THE SENTENCE

I love: Neve. My friends. The Shadow Dragons. Minrathous.

I feel: alive. That’s a good start.

I hide: old wounds and untested fears behind the mask of command.

I miss: Varric and all the friends I've lost fighting the good fight.

I wish: I could do more.

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1955 Chevrolet 210

TECH CHECK Owner: Eric Mead, Evansville, Indiana Vehicle: ’55 Chevrolet 210

Engine Type: BluePrint Engines Chevrolet LS3 Displacement: 376 ci Compression Ratio: 10.7:1 Bore: 4.070 inches Stroke: 3.622 inches Cylinder Heads: BluePrint Engines aluminum Camshaft: BluePrint Engines hydraulic roller (0.612/0.585-inch lift, 225/238 deg. duration) Ignition: E38 Engine PCM Assembly: BluePrint Engines Exhaust: Church Boys Racing by Stainless Works 1-7/8-inch primaries to 3-inch collector and 2.5-inch stainless pipes bent by Dave Favor’s Performance Exhaust, MagnaFlow Mufflers Ancillaries: Holley mid-mount accessory drive, PRC radiator and core support, SPAL Fans Output: 530 hp at 6,100 rpm, 508 lb-ft at 5,200 rpm

Drivetrain Transmission: ’99 GM 4L80E Automatic with TransGo valvebody kit prepared by Wathen’s Transmission (Owensboro, KY) Torque Converter: FTI Billet 3,200 stall Driveshaft: Driveline Plus Rear Axle: Strange Engineering 9-inch with Truetrac differential, 3.70 gears, 35-spline axles

Chassis Chassis: Roadster Shop SPEC Front Suspension: Strange single-adjustable coilovers, stabilizer bar Rear Suspension: Strange single-adjustable coilovers, parallel four-link, Panhard bar Brakes: Baer four-wheel disc, 12-inch front rotors with four-piston calipers, 11-inch rear rotors with four-piston calipers, Baer Remaster master cylinder

Wheels & Tires Wheels: Bogart Racing Wheels D-5; 17×4.5 front with 2.25-inch backspace, 15×10 rear with 5.5-inch backspace Tires: Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R front, 26×6.00R17; Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S rear, 295/55R15

Interior Upholstery: Holtsclaw Custom Upholstery (Francisco, IN) Carpet: Cars Inc. black loop carpet Seats: Original bench seat with black-and-white vinyl Delray pattern Steering: Summit steering column with Eddie Motorsports steering wheel Shifter: Lokar Dash: Original Instrumentation: Dakota Digital VHX HVAC: Vintage Air Wiring: American Autowire by Andy’s Hot Rod Shop (Mulkeytown, IL)

Exterior Bodywork and Paint: Reisinger Custom Rebuilding (Evansville, IN) and Andy’s Hot Rod Shop Paint: Sateen Silver/white by James Smith of Road Runner Restorations (Johnston City, IL) Hood: Stock Grille: Danchuk Bumpers: Danchuk Glass: Auto City Classics Fuel Tank: 15.5-gallon Tanks Inc. galvanized powedercoated silver

[monstersdownthepath]

Herald of Brigh: Latten Mechanism

CR 15

Neutral Large Construct

Adventure Path: Iron Gods: Lords of Rust, pg. 84~85

One of the few Heralds to exist outside of Inner Sea Gods, much like Courage Heart before it, Latten Mechanism* got some serious mileage out of being allowed to stretch across two entire pages, having complete art, lore, a personality, and a kit more complex than most Heralds’! And just LOOK at how adorable that art is! Of course, when you see what it can do to any hostiles it encounters, you may not find it as cute as I do.

*Note: not “The” Latten Mechanism, mind; first name Latten, last name Mechanism, though it’s not opposed to having a “The.” To preserve my sanity, I’ll be shortening it to Latten or Mechanism from here on out unless I feel like being dramatic.

This gigantic machine is a direct creation of Brigh, Goddess of Invention, and dutifully serves her as a siege engine and destroyer of all impediments of mankind’s progress... despite having a personality akin to a loving parent towards more or less every Construct it meets, an a excitable engineer when encountering a mechanism it has never seen before, and an enthusiastic mentor towards any inventor or craftsman it meets. Embodying ALL aspects of Brigh, Latten is also a master engineer, its Master of Crafting and Integrated Crafting Tools allowing it to perform ANY feat of crafting it desires, the former allowing to reallocate its 18 ranks of Craft between any Craft medium(s) it can envision with just 10 minutes of work, the latter allowing it to fabricate masterwork tools for any Craft skill it has without limit or restriction. If speed is needed, it’s got Fabricate at 3/day to cheat on its Craft checks, though it prefers the slow and methodical approach.

But it’s not JUST the act of creation, it’s defending what has already been made. It has several spell-likes which exclusively affect items, structures, and Constructs (such as Make Whole, Rapid Repair, and Unbreakable Construct) to shield its precious “children” and creations from being destroyed, or even harmed. Even further than its spell-likes, Latten has all the abilities of a Lyre of Building, a magic item that can shield all structures within 300ft from all forms of damage for 30 entire minutes AND rapidly craft entirely new structures and pathways as if it were a team of 100 humans working without pause for three entire days... but should it need to, it deals Double Damage Against Objects, an ability which does exactly what you think it does, letting it easily dismantle any device it encounters if that’s what its goddess wills. 

Latten Mechanism is capable of razing or raising entire towns in an hour of work, and all this is before we get to talking about what it can do against player characters directly!

Before we get to its offense, let’s take a look at its defenses first, because the first thing you should check with any Construct is if it can hold its own without crumbling to its component parts with a slight brush. To start off, Latten has DR 10/Adamantine and Magic, except not really; remember Unbreakable Construct? THAT lovely little spell is one it can cast on itself, raising its DR by 5 points to a total of 15. If you don’t have a proper weapon to bypass its reinforced DR, you’re not likely to be outpacing its Fast Healing 10, its body swiftly rebuilding itself right before your very eyes in a manner I think would be fun to watch.

In addition to the standard 26 Spell Resistance possessed by many Heralds, it’s got Cold and Fire Resistance 30 and is outright immune to Acid damage. You would THINK a giant clockwork bug would have the same Vulnerability to Electricity as most Clockwork monsters, but Latten Mechanism has no such weakness. It’s got no resistance to Electricity, mind, but it’s not especially damaged by it, something savvy players may be counting on if they find themselves face-to-faceface with the Herald. Bringing lightning against it might see the bolts bouncing back, in fact, as Latten can cast Lightning Bolt 3/day for a literally shocking bit of ranged burst damage.

That’s not its only ranged attack, and it’s not even the most damaging! Once every 1d4 rounds, the Mechanism can blast a 120ft line with 12d6 Acid OR Electricity damage, showering an area with dramatic bolts or corrosive gas. Able to swap freely back and forth between both damage types, Latten can remove both enemies and obstacles alike, the Electricity damage also giving it unique power against both Clockworks and Robots, two foes it relishes in battling. Not because it enjoys killing “rival” machines, but because it enjoys observing how they function in battle; Latten prefers to not destroy any Construct if it can avoid doing so and especially views killing an intelligent Construct as an unforgivable sin, preferring to incapacitate and reason with them instead. If normal words won’t work, Latten can use Soothe Construct (at-will) or Control Construct (3/day) to pacify such foes once it feels as though it has observed them enough.

Against living or Undead foes, Latten grants quarter only to those who relent first, making it uniquely merciful among the Neutral Heralds. The Mechanism doesn’t attack any creature that stays out of its way, even going as far as to warn anyone nearby that it’s about to muck with the local topography with Move Earth (which it can cast at-will!) or that it’s about to spear straight through a structure like a sapient bulldozer, granting people enough time to get out of its way or evacuate. If they don’t (or can’t), that’s on them. Once it revs its jaws up, whatever its goddess has marked is sure to be destroyed.

Latten Mechanism possesses only one natural attack, but it’s a doozy, dealing 6d8+13 damage PLUS 6d8 Acid or Electricity damage on top of that. Anything struck is in danger of being Grabbed by the mechanical jaws, at which point the mechanisms within the Mechanism’s head sprout out and swiftly grind through the captured foe, dealing an additional 6d8 bludgeoning damage AND 6d8 Acid or Electricity damage. Not breaking the Latten Mechanism’s grapple means taking 12d8+13 + 12d8 Acid/Electricity damage a round (average damage ~130), often enough to shred anything it’s got grabbed... but if it encounters something or someone it either cannot or does not want to chew through, it can instead regurgitate iron cables from its mouth to Entrap any creature it’s grabbed, forcing them to make a DC 19 Fortitude save (which Constructs struggle with) or be entangled for 1d10 rounds, and rendered entirely helpless if they fail a second save before the Entrap wears off.

If you think a monster with only one big attack is less threatening than a lot of little ones, you’re mostly right, but the Mechanism has ways around that. Not only does it have Cleave to hit two people a round with one attack, it can cast both Haste AND Slow 3/day each, the former giving it an additional bite during a Full-Attack, while the latter may mire the party to prevent them from keeping up with its Fast Healing... but the Haste is even more powerful than it first seems, because the Mechanism has an army at its beck and call. Once per day, it can instantly snap four Clockwork Soldiers together from a storage of parts in its body, the machines individually posing little threat to a party, but when working together and supported by the Mechanism’s spell-likes and Entrap, can swiftly dispatch a party whose individual members are far above their own meager CR 6. 

Hey, do you remember Double Damage Against Objects? Do you know what Clockwork Soldiers are really, really good at? Disarming people. And then throwing the weapons they’ve stolen directly into the grinding jaws of the Latten Mechanism, where they’ll take an average of over a hundred damage, likely destroying them utterly even if they’re enchanted adamantine! Hope that wasn’t the only weapon you had that could pierce the Herald’s DR... Also, these Soldiers remain animated for only one hour before collapsing into their component parts, which I assume Latten recycles each time, but the adorable mental image occurs to me of the Herald summoning its soldiers for an engineer to study... and when they collapse, the challenge for that engineer becomes “put them back together perfectly.”

Already this article is so much longer than most! That’s the benefit of getting to grow across two different pages! Which reminds me--the Mechanism is capable of adjusting its size at will, shrinking down to Medium or growing to Huge as it sees fit with a single standard action. In addition to letting it calmly walk around workshops without risking damage to them, this gives it quite the surprise round; what you thought was just a small, amusing clockwork automaton suddenly ballooning in size until it’s tall as a house and biting 40 hitpoints out of you during the surprise round. If you thought being in melee with a critter with a considerable Cleave was bad when its reach was just 10x10, just wait to see how bad it gets at 15x15! And did I mention the Walls of Iron it can call up...?

There’s at least some good news here: so long as the party isn’t threatening some one-of-a-kind miracle machine or trying to set civilization back by a few decades by destroying a revolutionary invention, they’ll probably never be caught in the Latten Mechanism’s warpath. It’s more likely the party will be seeking the Mechanism’s assistance in creating or analyzing some work of artifice; that IS its specialty, after all!

You can read more about it here.

[b3aches]

On "The Lost Cause" by Cory Doctorow

tl;dr - The Lost Cause is an worthwhile read that provides a feeling of hope for the future. As with many novels by Cory Doctorow, it takes place in the near future and showcases one possible future.

A future where humanity is taking the drastic actions needed to manage the fallout of the climate crisis. But also a future where humanity is dealing with the backlash from the older crowd that fears change and the plutocrats that fund them.

The story is told from the point of view of Brooks Palazzo, a young adult living in Burbank California thirty years from now. The Green New Deal has passed, and he is part of the "first generation that doesn’t fear the future". He wants to make a difference in the world by joining the Blue Helmets AmeriCorps and helping to rebuild the lower half of San Juan Capistrano a mile inland.

Not everything is all rainbows and roses, however. Brook's grandfather and his Maga pals aren't huge fans of the changing world though. Neither are the plutocrats that lost out due to the GND...

You can get a copy of the ebook or audiobook directly from the author here. You can also buy the audiobook from libro.fm or get a physical copy from bookshop.org as a hardcover now or pre-order the paperback. You can also check and see if your local library has a copy.

This is going to be less of a review and more of an admiration for a specific trope that is masterfully used. Due to the nature of the trope, there will be spoilers, including major plot points near the climax of the novel. If you want to go in blind, stop reading now.

"If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there." — Anton Chekhov (From S. Shchukin, Memoirs. 1911.)

So, Chekhov's Gun. It's a guideline when writing narrative fiction that is commonly interpreted as: every element in a story should be needed, and anything that isn't needed should be removed. You could probably also think of it as a form of foreshadowing, but I'm not an author nor an authority on narrative fiction.

Anyway, spoiler alert - Brooks' grandfather dies during chapter one of the novel. As is common when a family member dies, the living have the chore of sorting through a lifetime's worth of items. As Brooks is the sole remaining person in his family, that task falls to him.

This leads to the below setup for the trope:

I felt around the edge and found a length of floorboard that wasn’t stuck down, and beneath it, a heavy nylon loop. I hauled on it and a square of floor lifted straight up, revealing Gramps’s secret. He’d jackhammered away a neat square of foundation slab, dug down about four feet, and poured a concrete vault, which he’d filled with: three AR-15s; forty boxes of ammo; a bag of expired high-strength antibiotics; a wilderness survival kit identical to the one he’d given me for my first Scout sleepout, including the hatchet my Scoutmaster had confiscated before we got on the bus; topographical maps of LA County; and, wrapped in oilcloth, a wooden box like you’d keep poker chips in, but this was full of krugerrands, heavy and glinting dully, dated mostly from the first and second decades of this century.

As guns are now illegal, this leads to Brooks stashing the guns, ammo, and gold in the hills of California by page 80. They get mentioned a few times throughout the novel, reminding you of their existence, but don't become really relevant to the plot until right before the climax.

A part of the story that almost feels like it could be the climax.

A group of Maga terrorists have taken Brooks' friends hostage. Brooks decides that in order to save his friends he has to go into the California hills and get the guns.

This, turns out, was not necessary. In fact, it's revealed later that the likeliest outcome of trying to perform an armed rescue would have been his death.

So, it comes to pass that the guns were introduced in the first act, and were subsequently not fired in the third.

The scene that completes the arc of trope:

That was what my grandfather had raised me to expect: a final confrontation, an all-out war, a battle for the future of the human race and its planet. That was what he was planning for, and right up until that moment, as I cleaned off his guns and hid them in the construction waste, I had never really considered the possibility that he’d been wrong. I’d thought there’d be a war with two sides: Gramps’s side and mine. I’d never thought that the real war would be between the people who refused to go to war and the fools who thought they could shoot climate change in the face.

So we have the setup, the implication that the guns will be used later in the novel. Only, they don't get used. They're practically useless, and almost actively harmful. But, given the themes and messaging of the book, the guns being useless is the only possible outcome. The subversion of this trope[0] drives the point home. Having some kind of final showdown isn't the message. Individuals storming the building with guns to to save the day would fly counter to the message of collective action being the way we move forward.

The message I took from the book was that building shelter for refugees is the way forward, even if doing that gets you arrested.

That feeding the hungry is the way forward, even if you get fined for it.

That taking care of people, even if those people were previously pointing a gun at you, is the way forward. (note: ensuring that they don't have access to their guns anymore is wise.)

The only way forward is to build the systems of mutual aid now, even if building those systems will be fraught with adversity and challenges.

No matter what happens, we will always be building the future in the shadow of the present. Only with collective action can we move forward, and only if we take care of each other.

[0] so, I'm not entirely convinced that this is really a subversion of the trope. While the guns aren't fired, they are necessary to the plot in the latter part of the book. But again, I am not an author nor an authority on narrative fiction.

[ellaelsinore]

Corroded Coffin gets asked to be the house band for the local Hedwig production, clearly the only musicians skilled enough for a rock opera. Eddie didn’t think the show would be fun, but the music clearly rocks, the show is entertaining, it pays and it gives him more opportunities to perform. Costume even lets him wear mostly his own clothes, embellishing his battle vest further, not budging on the obscene amount of eyeliner they insist is “necessary to the plot”. Both Eddie and Steve kinda love it, even when Eddie looks like a raccoon the next morning. It takes all of his time for months, but by the end the boys are pretty proud of what they’ve accomplished and have learned a lot from the director and production staff about putting on a real show.

Steve comes to multiple shows, in the audience and backstage. He prefers being backstage, watching from the wings. He alternates between stage right and stage left, either able to watch Eddie from afar as he plays and dances and sings harmony, or right next to him so he can tell him how pretty he looks every break for the whole show. Eddie basks in the attention he gets from the community, the snobby theater crowd impressed by the skill of four heathens with guitars and a drum kit. The actor playing Hedwig tells them that they’re by far the most talented pit band he has worked with and will keep them in mind the next time he does a rock musical.

Eddie plays Wicked Little Town (reprise) every night like it’s the last time he’s going to play it. He studied the music for weeks, pouring over that particular song, first, because it’s the climax of the musical and second, it reminds him of Steve. Steve who is so much more than the stuck-up, pretty-boy jock he saw in high school. Steve who kept the party and himself alive and safe in the Upside Down, who picked up the pieces of a life that broke around him and built a new family with them. Who changed so completely that anyone from his old life would never recognize the man he had become, who sometimes didn’t recognize himself. Eddie wanted to be the voice Steve could follow, to rebuild this new life together.

Next Corroded Coffin show, Eddie plays a viciously emotional rendition of Wicked Little Town (Reprise), shirtless, black jeans low on his hips, jewelry shining in the stage lights. Robin and Nance made sure that Steve was front and center, Eddie dedicates the song to “his cosmic lover,” and plays to Steve like he’s the only one in the bar. Steve cries into Robin’s shoulder until Eddie slings his guitar over his back and hops off the stage, taking Steve’s face in his hands, kissing away the tears on his cheeks.

“You make this wicked little town worth every minute, Stevie.” Eddie kisses his forehead. “And you will never be alone again, never be a stranger, not if I can help it.” He pulls the ring box out of his pocket, not caring that they’re still in the middle of the Hideout and some asshole (Gareth) got them to adjust the spotlight to where the two men are standing in the pit. Not caring that the whole club has pulled back and is watching two men in desperate love, sharing in a moment that they should be grateful to see.

Steve laughs wetly as Eddie presents the ring, a woven silver band set with three sunshine-yellow stones, nodding before Eddie can even ask the question. “Steve Harrington, will you..” Steve crushes Eddie into a hug, whispering “yes” against his neck over and over. “You didn’t let me finish, Stevie,” Eddie laughs. Steve pulls back to look at his boyfriend, fuck, fiancé, and sees Eddie’s doe eyes misty and rimmed with red, but he’s smiling at Steve and god, Steve could look at him for the rest of his life. “Steve,” Eddie takes a deep breath, takes Steve’s hands in his. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, a million times yes.” Steve lets Eddie put the ring on him, before finally kissing Eddie. However wicked this town was, Eddie was his home, and together they would pick up the pieces and make a beautiful life for themselves.

[enchanted-teaforest]

"You Made It Weird" — A Rambling, Rambunctious Boundary PSA

Here we go again.. 🙄

I know I come off as bubbly, social, flirty, and silly. I get it. I’m fun. I’m magnetic. People like talking to me—and they get hurt or confused when I don’t want to talk back, hang out, or give them more of my time. Some think I’m fake or selfish. But the truth is… it’s kind of the opposite.

I do like people. I love experiences. I’m curious. I like going out, seeing live music, wandering museums, being spontaneous. I’m not an introvert, and I’m not an extrovert. I just enjoy life—and I’m very selective about who I let into mine.

When I come home after being social, I don’t want more connection. I want my peace. I want to read about animal coloration, rebuild old LEGO sets, reorganize my sticker journal, work out, play dolls, or dance around my kitchen like I’m starring in my own music video. I treasure my alone time like it’s a survival kit. And I’m happy being alone if that’s at the movies or at playing at home.

But sometimes, yeah—I feel lonely. Not the kind of lonely that means I want company. The kind that means I want to feel soft. I want to feel held and safe place to be my little self. I want to let the pressure of “being strong and mature” fall off me for a little while. When I say I’m lonely, I’m not saying I want you. I’m saying I miss softness I miss not masking. There’s a big difference.

Let me make something really clear: just because I’m hypersexual, doesn’t mean I want you.

It doesn’t mean I’m available. It doesn’t mean I’m inviting dirty messages. It doesn’t mean I'm into you just because I’m nice, or because I ask about your life, or because I post about longing. This place—this blog—is an outlet. I say unhinged things here because I’m working through stuff, not because I want to act on it with strangers in my inbox. (Annoyed I have to say this again.)

And please, for the love of god: don’t make it weird. Don’t take my kindness or my curiosity as some sign that I want to jump into a romantic or sexual connection. Just appreciate the moment we had. Be grateful for the version of me you got to meet.

If I don’t talk to you anymore, it’s not because you’re a bad person. I don’t interact at all with people I think are bad. It just means I don’t have the bandwidth to give you anything right now—and that has to be okay.

I’m someone with very little space in my life for emotional demands. If you’re one of the rare people I stay close with, then yeah—feel special. If you're not, it doesn’t mean I hate you. It just means I don’t have the space. It might sting, but it’s the truth.

And—for the love of all things—stop asking me “How was your day?” I can’t stand that question. It immediately makes me shut off. I don’t know why, but it just makes something in me recoil. Maybe it’s because it’s too vague. Too emotionally loaded. Too… default. Usually, my day wasn’t amazing. I mean, unfortunately I am an adult like everyone else—unless I’m on vacation or something special’s happening, my day probably sucked a little. That doesn’t mean I won’t find the good in it. I always find the good. I’m that person. But if you really want to connect with me, ask me something real. Something small. Something specific. 
Did I see something weird or funny today?
What are you building? What am I listening to currently or did I hear a new song I liked? Or what animal am I focused on right now.
Those are the things that open me up.

“How was your day?” just shuts the door. It makes me think of the sucky parts and I feel as if I have to answer it honesty. It feels lazy, even if you mean it kindly. It’s like the conversational equivalent of putting a spotlight on me and expecting a performance. And it demands an answer I’m avoidant enough that I’d rather disappear than answer it.

Yes, I’m selfish. Yes, I’m learning. Yes, I’m growing. Yes, I like sex. No, I don’t want to have sex with you.No, you can’t message me every time I post something about longing. Yes, I care. No, I don’t want to be your therapist. Yes, I’m sweet. No, I don’t want to hear “how was your day?” when I clearly don’t want to talk.

And if you're reading this and thinking “is this about me?”
…then maybe it is.
And if you’re one of the ones who really gets me?Skip this post. You already knew.

If I’ve told you more than once that I need space and you still push, guilt-trip, or pop up uninvited, make blatant sexual requests, or try to degrade me- you made it weird. Once you make it weird, I’m out.

And if I give you my energy, just know it’s because you have touched me deeply. Saying that makes me laugh like Beavis and Butthead. Heh heh… touched me… anyways

Also, and let’s be real for a second:
Nothing you say or do is going to make me suck your dick.
Yeah, I post about longing and I’m orally fixated. Yeah, I write about the unhinged depths of my desire. But that doesn’t mean it’s an invitation. I’ve been celibate for almost a year now. Crazy right?? Surprised I’m not dead honestly. Yeah, I get desires but not for you and I will end the interaction before I put myself in a situation where I’ll make bad choices. It’s like how you don’t see many alcoholics at a bar.

Just because I want doesn’t mean I’m going to act. Just because I’m kind doesn’t mean I want you. Just because I’m curious doesn’t mean you’re invited.

I still I love hearing wild stories. As long as they don’t end with you being sexual with me, I still like to hear it. I still like to watch it. I just don’t want to be involved in it. Tell me weird things. Tell me what made you laugh today. But don’t try to turn it into a gateway for flirting, or emotional labor, or projecting your own fantasy. I’m not here for that.

Everyone seems to come out of the woodwork this time of year, and it always plays out the same. If I made it hard for you to find or contact me, that’s not a challenge. It’s a sign. Respect it. If we had a connection and I haven’t added you back, I don’t want to. That doesn’t mean you’re bad—it just means I don’t have room. And if you feel rejected, then I get it. Move on. Let it go.

To the ones I still talk to—thank you. Thank you for getting me. Thank you for never making me feel guilty. Thank you for knowing that when I disappear, it’s not because I don’t care for you—it’s because I need to float a while. Thank you for asking me more in-depth questions and keeping my curiosity alive, instead of the same tired script. Thank you for letting me be avoidant and messy and weird and still believing I’m worth something.

If you made it this far… good job. This post isn’t for everyone.
Just the ones who don’t make it weird. Stay in your lane.

Maybe I’m a bitch now or maybe I’m conceited but here we are again with it needing to be said to multiple people. I’m getting better at boundaries and I’m proud of myself for that. I feel like it’s groundhogs day each time I write something like this.

[blameth3playr]

Carburetor Rebuild and a Distributor Cap Upgrade

I just got some new parts in I can’t wait to build!

There’s something deeply satisfying about working on cars, especially when it’s a my VW Beetle. My latest project involved giving some much-needed attention and love to the carburetor for my 1971 Beetle. I also decided on swapping out the old orange distributor cap for a new clear one. Both jobs were small but make a huge difference in performance and aesthetic.

Rebuilding the Carburetor:

The carburetor had seen better days. Years of grime and buildup were making cold starts difficult and making it have performance issues. I opted for a full rebuild rather than replacing it, mostly to retain authenticity and because I want to learn how to repair my vehicle and be able to say that I built my own car. After removing the carburetor from the manifold I carefully disassembled it. I took note of the position of every spring and screw. I made sure to take few pictures and videos before opening it up making sure to properly mark where every screw and spring went. I also had to make sure I had all my cleaning and removing tools such as a can of carburetor cleaner, a can of compressed air, and a rebuild kit with new gaskets. The biggest challenge was making sure every passage was completely clear, especially the idle jet circuit. The carburetor in my car has also been swapped out before. At the moment I have a Solex H30/31Pict, the car from the factory had a Solex 34PICT3. My carburetor is smaller and it may have been done before in order to save on fuel. At the moment I have been able to rebuild the carburetor but it has not been placed back inside as I have found another issue or challenge I will need to work and so I will be keeping the carb off as I will be doing some work on the engine and having the carb removed will make the next steps easier.

Distributor Cap Swap

The distributor cap on the Beetle was the classic Bosch orange style, absolutely nothing wrong with it, it just looks boring. I replaced it with a new modern clear cap. Some purists might be mad at the idea, but I love being able to see the spark arc through the cap. It adds a bit of modern look and makes being able to see if the spark is going off a lot easier. Installing the new cap was a simple swap, but in the time of replacing the cap I took the opportunity to inspect all of the contact points as well. Everything was in decent shape, but a quick polish of the contacts ensured strong spark delivery. I will have to most likely get some new wires as well as the car is very old and rusting.

Rebuilding the carburetor reminded me why these cars are so beloved it was simple, mechanical, and endlessly rewarding. The clear distributor cap is a small touch that adds a spark of personality under the decklid. I hope to make the entire car custom. I am even thinking about going as far as creating my own wiring harness for the beetle replacing and creating the wires inside, but that is for the years to come.

If you’re restoring a Beetle, don’t underestimate how much these little updates can transform your every day ride.

If you guys like the cap or think I should keep it stock let me know! I hope you keep getting curious everyday and learn something about your car today!

[cookies-sports]

This is really random but I just wanted to say thank you for being nice about West Ham lol I’ve had a growing soft spot for them the past couple of years despite them not being like a great team in terms of quality, but I really like the players and personalities they have and I wish they got more respect so it made me happy to see someone else acknowledge them positively 😊

☺️ Thank you! I think West Ham get a raw deal from a lot of WSL journalism and commentary. In so many matches they play in, the commentators seem to forget that they're supposed to acknowledge both teams' play and efforts. I also feel like West Ham have, in some ways, been the victim of the recency bias and misinformation that is rampant in WoSo journalism and discussions.

I mentioned in a post before that they had a reputation of being "scraping just above relegation", when in fact they have performed equal to (or better) than teams like Brighton on average in their time in the WSL until this year.

They're a team who are unsupported by the main club (e.g. Rehane Skinner had to fight to get some contracts of 3 years offered to new signings this year, as opposed to their all too frequent 1-2 year contracts which saw them have to rebuild practically every year), have gone through some real crappy treatment as a team over the years (like being forced to crowdfund their kit some years ago as well as being kicked out of their training ground and having to train in an empty field along a main road), and have become something of a target of mockery for WSL commentary amongst fans.

But their players are absolutely underrated; they do have decent players on that team. And the commitment they put in, week in-week out, and the collective support they give each other is such a strength. It's why this season they have fought so hard until the end of games and it has led to positive results.

I don't know if Skinner is going to get the balance right with the team long-term (I hope so), but I am glad she was given time when people were calling for her to go because I see positive development this year in the approach she's taking with the team. A commentator of one game made a comment once about "West Ham are definitely putting them (the other team) on the back foot with this element of chaos they've brought in the second half" and I think that sums up West Ham well.

There is a certain chaotic nature to their gameplay intermingled with some genuinely beautiful football (Asseyi, for example, has made some beautiful behind the back, heel flick passes this season alone which have led to chances and goals). And more than that, they thrive in the chaos as long as they get the balance right. Too much chaos and they get caught out and it becomes a disaster, not enough chaos and they're too passive and get pinned into their own half, but when they get that balance right? They look like an improved team and I hope the positive growth continues next season as well. Of course, it is always hard for a team without strong backing from the main club. But I will always have a soft spot for the team and the players.

There's a lot more I could write, but I'll leave it there 😅 Hope you don't mind me posting the ask, I'm happy to delete it if you'd rather (just pop me another anon message), but it was a nice opportunity to talk about West Ham a bit more.

Also, if anyone is looking at this and doesn't know much about West Ham women, I would really recommend checking out their Instagram and new TikTok. The person who runs their social media loves that team so much and gives so much positivity to the team, it makes you smile to see.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westhamwomen

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@westhamwomen

[gearstar54]

Upgrading Your Ride: Why Enthusiasts Love The 700R4 Transmission

The 700R4 performance rebuild kit is a popular option for those looking to take their transmission to the next level. With enhancements that boost durability and responsiveness, this kit transforms the 700R4 into a powerhouse capable of handling high-performance applications.

[engineaustralia]

Why the Toyota 1VD-FTV is a Favourite Among Off-Roaders and How to Maintain It

The Toyota 1VD-FTV V8 diesel engine has earned legendary status among 4WD enthusiasts. Its rugged build and high torque output make it a go-to choice for serious off-roaders and overlanders. But to keep this powerhouse performing at its best, proper maintenance is key.

Many Land Cruiser owners push their vehicles to the limits from crossing deserts to pulling trailers across rugged terrain. These demanding conditions can accelerate wear on internal components. One critical area often overlooked is the piston ring set.

Piston rings maintain engine compression and prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber. When worn, they lead to decreased performance, increased emissions, and excessive oil consumption. Regular inspection and quality replacements are essential.

During an engine rebuild or performance enhancement, choosing quality piston rings is just as important as upgrading your suspension or snorkel. For the 1VD-FTV, investing in precision-engineered parts ensures the engine remains as tough as the terrain it tackles.

Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or working with a professional shop, sourcing from a reputable supplier matters. Engine Australia provides trusted aftermarket solutions for the 1VD-FTV engine and more.

With the right maintenance strategy, your Land Cruiser will continue to conquer the great outdoors for years to come.

[jamesmartin12021]

Common Mistakes In 4l60E Rebuilds

One of the most common mistakes when rebuilding a 4L60E transmission is failing to diagnose the underlying issues accurately. Rushing into a rebuild without identifying the root cause of the problems can lead to unnecessary expenses and frustrations.

[hvacparts02]

ASCO 302276 - Rebuild Kit 8210 Ac | PartsHnC

Manufacturer Name: ASCO Product Number: 302276 OEM Part Number: 302276 Product Description: Rebuild Kit 8210 Ac Weight:1lbs/453.59g

The ASCO 302276 Rebuild Kit is designed for the 8210 AC solenoid valves which are the components of HVAC systems. By using this kit, users can overcome problems concerning the control of refrigerants with solenoid valves that maintain the parts.

For an efficient and reliable HVAC system, the ASCO Rebuild Kit 8210 Ac is the choice for optimal system performance.