I am proposing a “Tips and Techniques” section be created as an adjunct to the forum. This could be set up in several ways:

•  A top level link, similar to "Forum 2009", called “Tips and Techniques” with each technical topic as a sub-link under higher level links. In tree format, this might look like:

     Technical tips
          Engine
               Valve Adjustments
               Boring
               Engine preparation
               Crankshafts
               ...

          Fuel Systems
               Carburetors
               strainers
               fuel pumps
               ...

          Electrical Systems
               6V to 12v conversions
               timers
               coils
               distributors
               fuses
               lights
               turn signals
               brake lights
               ...

          Transmissions
               Drums
               Bands
               ...

          Brakes
               ...

          Upholstery
               ...


The advantage of this structure is that it still provides the standard search capability.

•  A separate page with appropriate links. A possible example is shown at the following web site (for early V8 fords) http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm

Something like:

Engines        Electrical        Transmission        Fuel
   Heads          timers            drums               carburetor
   Crankshafts    turn signals      field coils         strainers


Upholstery
   ...



How would this information be developed and maintained?

The top level structures would be established and maintained by either the web master or a small group of volunteers (hereafter called: Tip Meister). The Tip Meister is the only one(s) who have permission to edit those links. This top level is established with a basic template (recommendations put forth by the community) (e.g., Engines, Transmission, Rear End, Front End, Wheels/Tires, …).

Under the top level (let us use Engines for this example) would be a separate layer of links like: Crankshafts, pistons, preparation, valve adjustment, fans, … The content pointed to by these links would be provided by 1 or more people who volunteer to create the article. They may take information off the forum to build an article or write it from scratch. This article should identify the author/editor, where the content came from, how to get it updated with current information, etc. If a thread from the forum is partially used, each response used would list the original submitter to the thread. This might be clearer if some of the topics under the link listed above are looked at. An example is given later.

Once the article collaborators agree to the initial content, the article would be emailed or uploaded to the Tip Meister with identification of where the article would reside and the link name. Note there may be several links associated with a certain topic (valve adjust #1, valve adjust #2) with different people/teams writing the different articles.

The article would then be put on the site. If people disagreed, they could contact the originators or post a forum thread. I would suggest that if a response from a thread is used in the article, the originator of the response be contacted first. However, since the responder posted their response on a public forum, it may not be necessary other than ensuring that the writer of the original thread response still feels the information is correct.

The links and content under these links would be read only. This provides the following advantages:
  •  Helps prevent the spam that comes in sometimes from causing a thread to disappear.
  •  Prevents a thread from becoming a free for all or going off topic. The narrow focus would make the information easier to understand.

This would allow people who desire to know how to do something to be referred to an article or check it themselves. Then, if they had additional questions, they could create a thread with the question in the forum. If the article writers think the question and answer are useful, the article may be amended by sending the revised article to the Tip Meister. Note, the complete article would be resubmitted to avoid needing the Tip Meister to edit original article.

Until the article writer(s) submit articles, there would be no links under the top level section. Discussion on the forum may result in something different. A "rules of article submission / format" will be promulgated by the Tip Meister if this idea is accepted. Would how a Tip Meister is established be up to the Web master?

Here is an example of pulling information out of a thread (from flathead forum – clutch id). Note that I am not proposing that the way the questions that are asked below be placed in an article. Instead, the answers to the questions may be provided or to create, as a separate section, a question/open block. See template below the example.

So the "Tip Meister" would be in charge of deciding which opinion was the best information?

Good luck with the outcome of that bud....

Seth

Read it again Seth. The Tip Meister is just the person / persons who would take an article and hook it up to a link under the appropriate area. This is because the tip area and articles are READ ONLY. The person(s) writing the article decide what they are willing to put into it. Since they volunteered to write it, they should be able to say what they want to say about the item.

Also note that I said there could be multiple articles on the same item written by different authors. That would give readers a wider set of viewpoints.

I enjoy the forum and the folkes and the discussions we have,T or non T.Allthough a tips section would be nice,I feel like there is enough burden placed on Bruce and those that help him to impose or request even more of the site.
The recent spam,has been really increaseing and takeing that all off the site is time consumeing.

That is why I proposed a Tip Meister. This would keep the web master from being overloaded in implementing this. If the web master wanted to do this activity, then a Tip Meister (or group of volunteers) would not be necessary for the top links.

I vote with Mack,the MTFCA people have enough to do. It would only be a collection of opinions.

Robert,

I apologize for my haste in providing my response. No harm in trying it then. If it works out for the good of the hobby, then I'm all for it.

Seth

What we have here is nothing more than a collection of opinions. At least with Robert's plan, they'd be catalogued.

Seth

Robert,

What you are proposing is exactly what I had in mind in this thread.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/47434.html

I am all for it.

Be_Zero_Be

Why would opinion have anything to do with this? How many times, has somebody asked questions such as, What torque rating for head bolts? or, How much does an engine weigh?

I think that maybe the title should be changed to "Frequently Asked Questions".

I think this is a great idea! The National T-Bucket Alliance has a Tech section is is stuffed full of great info for someone that is building their own T-bucket... it would be great to have such a resource here... You can take a peak at their site here NTBA Tech Pages

I have no clue re: the work load of the MTFCA people and Bruce, however like Seth said What we have here is nothing more than a collection of opinions. At least with Robert's plan, they'd be catalogued. Habing them catalogued and searchable is very important.

The idea is good. The difficulty comes in if it becames a venue for a war of opinions, eg trans bushing clearances. If the authors can be open minded and present information including althernatives without egos getting involved, it'd be a good resource.

Robert,
Let's give it a try.
1- Who is going to be assigned the job of "Tip Meister"?
2- Who are going to be the Sub Topic Meister's"?
3- Can the "Tip Meister" Keep the "Sub Topic Meisters" under control?

You have expended great mount of time Setting up the frame work for this project. Are you ready to take on the job of "TIP MEISTER" to get it started and keep it on track?

The Jaguar XJS has done such a task. One man did it, He goes under the name of Kirbert. He seeks no compensation for the tremendous effort. 700 pages are now called "The Book". All newbies are urged to print it out. He went back into the forum and pulled out all of the petinent information and compiled it!!! I consider myself an Jaguar XJS and V12 expert. However, I have re-read his book several times. And I learneed more each time. He has gone so far as to compile the over the counter substitutes for XJS parts as submitted by others. I will post an address to his "The Book" on the next thread. It is linked by most Jaguar sites and the Jag-lovers site has it as a link. It a great book. Your format would add a little more organizayion to "The Book".

Supportingly,
Noel

This forum idea of a database is sort of like letting 'someone' dictate exactly what is the definition of a 100 point car for any given year of production...and the opinions flow...

I am in favor of what has been offered, as there are certain questions that come up again and again and again, and a link to a catalog of these would be great.

There are a few topics that tend to go nuts, sometimes fun, sometimes does get personal, always winds up opinionated [me too] ...and these would be the tough ones to catalogue. There is a solution to this enigma...offer both sides opinions of the topic, and set up feedback 'stars' like they do on some other web places. Then the forum does its job...shares the info...lets the user decide which course to take.

Just my .02 on the subject.

Here is the Link to the book.

http://www.nettally.com/palmk/jaguar.html

This would be nice for us T people.
Kirbert takes a lot of hits for some of the content. He responds tritely to most comments. The fact is the "The Book" is a great undertakig
Noel

The club has books and videos on all these subjects. The Ford Manual and many other books have all that information which has been tested and approved.

This is a forum and interesting stories and questions come up. Let's keep it the way it is except for the spam.
Norm

The tractor forums I belong to have done this for at least five years. Instead of having the exact same question posted hundreds of times with the same answers given time and again; you just link the asker over to this tip section. If they have problems after this, they they ask a more detailed question. It works well, but tractor people don't appear to have the same attitude as car people. I have only seen three posts go sour on the tractor forums, but here it seems quite frequent.

If this goes south on this forum. I will post any valid T tip any of you have on my website, with photos if you submit them and full credit to the author. email RobertsTips@ModelTengine.com. I'll post a link on here if anyone submits anything.

I am certainly willing to volunteer to either set up the top level or whatever Bruce / MTFCA people desire. I currently plan to write an article under body work.

Bruce, if this makes sense to attempt, please let me know. Hopefully, with the ideas above and further discussion, a good structure can be established.

This has been done before. It's still available at the Montana 500 homepage, Adrian Winget's compilation of tips & info from the forum ten years ago: http://www.antiqueautoranch.com/montana500/adrian/webinfo.html