[geeks] Mac definitions

[Bob]

>My 1971 Olds Cutlass S had the same setup and I loved it. The problem
was that
>most people wouldn't use the shoulder belt as it was "extra work" to put
it
>on. I once drove in a mid-80's domestic that the owner had cut out the
>seatbelts with a kitchen knife because he didn't like to use them.
Seemed
>extreme to me. Why not just not use them?

That's what I think too.  There's the lazy aspect.

>Most of what comes out is simply talc powder used in packing the
material to
>keep it from sticking together. Yes, it is a fine powder and I could see
it
>causing some irritation, but not chronic issues. If it was such an
issue, I
>think all those babies that get swathed in the stuff would have more
>problems.

Hopefully, that's true.  Supposedly the chemicals are supposed to convert
to gas but if the mix is wrong, some solid stuff should might out and
some of
those chemicals, I don't want to breath. :-)  I've noticed that talc is
hard to
find in "baby powder".  It's been replaced by cornstarch.  Supposedly the
reason is that in talc, which is a mineral, there is a small trace of
asbestos
therefore, no good.

>If the engine ends up in my lap with the firewall wrapped around it, I
would
>consider it an intrusion with or without the thin sheet metal between
the
>engine and my skin.

That's more than a fender bender.  In highway accidents I've seen, if the
impact was great enough to do that, the car is usually ripped apart
anyway so it wouldn't matter much.  Too many are what I call
"how-the-****-did-they-do-that" accidents,  Scary.

>Seatbelts are designed to stretch. This protects the wearer by slowing
their
>forward motion in a controlled manner. Stiff belts can harm a wearer
when they
>slam against the unyielding webbing. Even racing harnesses are designed
this
>way (to vaying extents based on the usage).

That I know because the material stretches.  I just wonder if, in a cost
saving measure, some were made thinner and stretched too much which lead
to putting in another safety device: air bags.

>I have been involved with various forms of autoracing for about 24 years
now
>and I am amazed at how badly installed most harness systems are. Very
few
>people take the time to learn how to install them correctly and
unfortunately
>some of the tech inspectors don't know what they are looking at either.
I also
>can get on a soapbox about poorly designed roll cages, put I won't.

Why not? :-)  No,  I agree.  I have a friend that used to drag race.  I
think roll bars are a damn good idea too.  That's how he was able to
install shoulder belts (his car only had factory lap belts).  Safety
devices, if properly designed and installed are good.  I really feel that
if seat belts were this way in cars, air bags would be superfluous.  Note
that air bags are only good for one impact and horrendously priced to
replace.  I remember being in an accident in a friends car where we were
hit by the same vehicle twice. When they first came out I remember a
price of $200 quoted on the news at the time.  <insert laughter>

 Luckily, the only "accidents" I've ever with any of my cars beyond a
bumper tap has been when they were legally parked.  I guess moving
targets are harder to hit. :-)

Bob