Good morning.

I'm Ken Barlow, director of the Excelsior Brigade fife and drum corps, 19th century living history buff and ever increasing diesel fan. I have a wife, 4 kids and a 30' 4900 (dry) camper to tow.

I'm interested in learning about conversions from gas to diesel, small engine repair and getting input from members so I can learn from their expeirences.

Also interested in growing GM (genetically modified) crops to increase oil output and to hear realistic information on expected price at the pump for grow-your-own fuel.

My diesel story: I bought a 1979 VW Dasher Diesel in 1989. For a 10 year old car, with 185,000 miles, it ran great but looked like a leprous plum. I could scarcely believe the motor put out like 50 HP, but got 50MPG too. Leather interior was in good shape (weird stuffing in those VW seats).

But it was so poorly tuned, shook like the devil (enough to loosen bolts) and for a good year I drove it without an alternator, charging the battery every night. It was side swiped in a low speed accident with a flat bed tractor trailer at an intersection when I (because I'm a moron) got into the right turn lane next to a trailer turning right. The trailer suffered serious purple paint deposits, the VW was crushed as I lept out the passenger side.

The insurance company gave me $36 for it.

see y'all on the road

ken