If I had to put money on which true Cedrus are the hardiest I would put it on the ones at Purdue. They have been there the longest and are the least protect of any older trees in zone 5. The issues with Stenacoma is that it is sometimes sold as a seedling type and other a grafted cultivar so there are variations in those plants. After that I would go with Eisregen or Karl Fuchs and Eugene. Eugene in located in central indiana so it is not protected like Spring Grove. Based on the information from Eugene Who introduced it, it should be very Hardy. I also had a collector in Indianapolis who said he Rates Eisregen the hardiest followed by Karl Fuchs and then Stenacoma. As far as understock goes, Bob Fincham has always said deodara is perfectly hardy in zone 5 for that use and produces a better root system is my understanding. I have had Karl Fuchs 5-6 years ago from Accorn and it has done very well. I also have a small Eugene David David

======================================================================================================================== Posted by: john999 (My Page) on Mon, Aug 15, 05 at 5:42 No, that is not true. Most engines are "interference" engines, they need to specifically designed to be otherwise. The old GM engines from the 70s didn't have a belt or a chain - the camshaft ran off a spur gear. When that disintegrated, the pistons would push the valves up against little resistance. They were interference engines. If you break a timing belt there is no connection between the camshaft and the crankshaft, so the pistons just push the valves back up against no pressure and nothing gets broken. On a timing chain engine, the chain usually breaks on one side only, so it is still connected to the camshaft. ======================================================================================================================== John999: No offense intended but your statement regarding Chvy engines from the 70s' in not at all correct. Almost ALL of those were run by a timing CHAIN . Cars and even some of the pick-ups used a CAM gear that had nylon teeth. When the teeth wore down enough, the Chain would jump a tooth and you'd have to go in and replace it. I personally hate nylon faced gears, opting instead for a good ole fasioned Cloyes Double roller set-up. In thier aim to quiet things down, the manufacturer made one more thing to wear out long before it should,based on it's original design. Now if you want to really get serious, go with a gear drive setup...AHHHH Love the sound of those.

Here are some of the things that you have to do when you work on those 97 CK pickups. A friend down at the body shop just had the engine replace in his 97. They worked on it for about a month before I gave them this info. #1CRANKSHAFT VARIATION RELEARN (CASE Learn) "CASE" means: crankshaft angle sensor error. A crankshaft variation relearn must be performed if: A diagnostic trouble code of P1336 is present. The computer has been replaced or re-programmed. The crankshaft position sensor has been replaced. The engine, harmonic balancer, clutch, or flywheel have been: disassembled, removed, or replaced. The crankshaft position variation learning feature enables the computer to compensate for part manufacturing tolerances. This allows the computer to accurately detect an engine misfire throughout the engine RPM range. The learning process is stored in the computers memory and does not have to be repeated unless one or more of the above conditions are present. To perform the relearn, proceed as follows: Connect a scan tool to make sure there are no trouble codes stored in the computerÂs memory. If there is any power train trouble code other than P1336 (Crankshaft Position Variation not learned), the computer will disable the relearn function until the problem that aused the code has been eliminated. Also, make sure that the engine coolant (check it when the engine is cold) and oil levels are at an acceptable level. 1. Set the parking brake and block the drive wheels. Make sure that the hood is closed. 2. Start the engine and make sure that the engine coolant temperature is at least 158 degrees F. (70 degrees C.) 3. Turn the engine off for at least 10 seconds. 4. Select the crankshaft position variation learn procedure (CASE Learn)on your scan tool. 5. Make sure that the transmission is in Park. Start the engine. 6. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal firmly. 7. Follow the scan tool instructions. Remember: That you are going to increase the engine speed to approximately 3000 RPM, 4000 RPM, or 5150 RPM. ThatÂs the variation learn fuel cutoff RPM (depending upon the engine), and that itÂs important to release the throttle when the engine RPM starts to decrease as a result of the fuel cutoff going into effect. Failure to do such will result in over revving of the engine, causing possible engine damage. 8. Once the engine has returned to idle, check the status of Diagnostic trouble code P1336. If the scan tool indicates that the CASE has been learned, the relearn procedure is now complete. If CASE has not been learned, check for the presence of other power train codes. If any exist, correct the problem, then repeat this procedure. *************************************************************** *************************************************************** #2 1997 Chevrolet C Pickup 5.0L, 5.7L, and 7.4L Timing Below is the text from GM Service manual for 1997 Chevrolet C Pickup 5.0L, 5.7L, and 7.4L Accordind to this you don't set the timing but the timing offset. You need a "Scan Tool" that plugs into the truck and can read the data from the trucks computer. Besides from that, it looks like a normal timing procedure. You might be able to borrow a scan tool from a parts store, or at least use their tool and do it in their parking lot. Setting Timing Camshaft Retard Offset Test The ignition timing cannot be adjusted. The distributor may need adjusting to prevent crossfire. To insure proper alignment of the distributor, perform the following: With the ignition OFF, install a scan tool to the DLC. Start the engine and bring to normal operating temperature. Important Cam Retard Offset reading will not be accurate below 1000 RPM Increase engine speed to 1000 RPM. Monitor the Cam Retard Offset. If the Cam Retard indicates a value of 0° ± 2°, the distributor is properly adjusted. If the Cam Retard does not indicate 0° ± 2°, the distributor must be adjusted. Adjusting Camshaft Retard Offset With the engine OFF, slightly loosen the distributor hold down bolt. Important: Cam Retard Offset reading will not be accurate below 1000 RPM Start the engine and raise engine speed to 1000 RPM. Using a scan tool monitor Cam Retard Offset. Rotate the distributor as follows: To compensate for a negative reading, rotate the distributor in the counterclockwise direction. To compensate for a positive reading, rotate the distributor in the clockwise direction. Repeat step 4 until 0° ±2° is obtained. Turn the ignition OFF. Tighten the distributor hold-down bolt to 3N·m(25 lb. ft.). Start the engine, raise engine speed to 1000 RPM and recheck Camshaft Retard Offset. HTH Bob

IMHO the contractor favors arbitration/mediation to get his 15% fee, which was defined. Mediation will favor compromise on both sides. A mediator is not going to decide in favor of either party. That is just not what they do. A mediator will try to find compromise for either side. Arbitration will favor the stronger legal position presented. However, the contractor is unlikely to voluntarily agree to arbitration and so it is really a moot point. Just Google, "is a time and materials contract legal in California," and you will see information from the CSLB. If you are paying an attorney he will walk you through this information and how to present it as evidence in mediation or arbitration. In mediation, it's purpose will be to encourage compromise. The evidence will pretty much end arbitration. An interesting question becomes why are time and materials contracts so popular if they are not allowed? I don't really have an answer to that, I suspect it is because the homeowner must assert the contract is illegal for that issue to be considered. If you walk into arbitration or court and note that the issue is that the contractor took too long that is going to be the issue considered. If you walk in and say that the contract end date specified 32 weeks and the contractor was overpaid according to the contract by almost $200,000 that is going to be the issue considered. As I said earlier, get a local attorney involved. I suspect you can find some more reasonable settlement than 15%. If not... you are out a couple of hundred bucks for an expert opinion, just think how much better your life would be if you paid that couple of hundred bucks at the beginning.