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130. The Pile Up EP18: A Loving Memory of Dark Mark

130. The Pile Up EP18: A Loving Memory of Dark Mark

Car Krush Nov 05, 2025 64 min
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About this episode

A heartfelt tribute to the late Mark McBride, affectionately known as Dark Mark, unfolds through shared memories and anecdotes from his friends. The hosts reminisce about their vanning adventures, inside jokes, and the impact Mark had on their lives. From humorous stories about their escapades to the emotional weight of loss, the episode captures the essence of friendship within the vanning community. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own connections and the bittersweet nature of remembering those who have passed.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Lucid Air

"...s holding the door open with his foot just to get air in the van. Or like he was like, if he rode the b..."

The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really far on a single charge. It's designed to be very comfortable and has lots of high-tech gadgets inside, making it a high-end choice for those looking for an electric vehicle.

Car

Jaguar Marks I

"But eventually it was really close. And when I got to Mark's, I think I broke it off and put it in the van and then Mark just picked it up and took"

The Jaguar Mark I is an older, stylish car that was made in the 1950s. It's known for looking nice and driving well, and it helped make Jaguar a famous car brand.

Part

fog lamps

"...some cool fog lamps. And I think I talked to the guy that sold him the fog lamps."

Fog lamps are lights on a car that help you see better when it's foggy. They shine low to the ground to cut through the fog and make the road clearer.

Car

Chevrolet Astro

"I drove in and I got there really late and the Astro wasn't all fucked up. The transmission was in the middle of exploding itself."

The Chevrolet Astro is a type of van that was made by Chevrolet. It was popular for carrying families and cargo because it has a lot of space inside.

Part

transmission

"The transmission was in the middle of exploding itself. And so it had really bad vibrations."

The transmission is a part of the car that helps it move by sending power from the engine to the wheels. It helps the car change speeds smoothly.

Car

Volkswagen Bus

"... us are piled in there. There's a photo of me and bus and Mark and then Ryan Kittleson and then I think..."

The Volkswagen Bus is a classic van that people loved to use for family trips and adventures. It has a fun, boxy shape and lots of space inside, making it a favorite among those who enjoy traveling.

Part

MoonEye steering wheel

"...and put my MoonEye steering wheel on, which is cool. Smaller diameter, don't love it. Looks better, but like the feel of the bigger wheel."

A MoonEye steering wheel is a type of steering wheel that car enthusiasts often use to make their cars look cooler. It's smaller than regular steering wheels, which some people like for a sportier feel, but it might not be as comfortable for everyone.

Part

Borgeson U-joint

"...the top U-joint is a Borguson U-joint, which is a quality universal joint, but it seems like it's got a little bit of a tight spot. Like, so I'm gonna, I might replace it..."

A Borgeson U-joint is a part that helps connect different parts of the steering system in a car. It allows the steering to work smoothly even when the parts are at an angle to each other.

Part

gasket

"We did a windshield, a gasket. We painted the dashboard."

A gasket is a piece that helps seal parts of the car together so that fluids don't leak out. It's important for keeping things like oil and coolant where they should be.

Part

alternator

"So next I have to like move the alternator over cause it's like sticking out of the engine cover a bit."

The alternator is a part of the car that helps keep the battery charged and powers the electrical parts of the car while the engine is running. It's important for things like lights and the radio to work.

Part

serpentine belt

"Yeah. And so now I was like cut into the serpentine belt bracket and like move the alternator over a touch to clear the engine cover and then fix that spot."

A serpentine belt is a long belt in the engine that helps power different parts like the alternator and air conditioning. If it gets damaged, those parts might not work properly.

Part

tensioner

"...what I'm thinking about doing is finding a belt that's easier to get than that size and then adding a tensioner or an idler pulley somewhere to eat up the extra length"

A tensioner is a part that keeps a belt tight in an engine. It helps the belt work properly and last longer by preventing it from becoming loose or slipping.

Part

idler pulley

"...and then adding a tensioner or an idler pulley somewhere to eat up the extra length"

An idler pulley is a wheel that helps guide a belt in an engine. It keeps the belt in the right position and helps it stay tight, but it doesn't power anything itself.

Concept

BMW art cars

"I had done a, I had a little piece about Andy Warhol doing one of the BMW art cars."

BMW art cars are cars that have been painted by famous artists. They are like art pieces on wheels and are shown in galleries and events.

Term

horsepower

"Let me see your big horsepower. Can you make big horsepower?"

Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"No, it's like, I feel like it's 120 or something."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that many people love. The 1981 version is one of the older models and is known for its speed and style.

Car

Honda Accord

"I'm not going to look it up because my Honda Accord has much more and it's got like 120 or something."

The Honda Accord is a type of car that is known for being dependable and good on gas. Many people like it because it's comfortable to drive and has plenty of room inside for passengers and luggage.

Term

350 small block

"I think it would just be cool to rebuild that engine and make it what a 350 small block could be. Yeah, sure, but it just, you know. It's still a 350 small block."

The 350 small block is a type of engine made by Chevrolet. It's a V8 engine, meaning it has eight cylinders, and is known for being powerful and easy to work on.

Part

push rods

"You could probably get, you spend the time doing the heads, calculating the length of the push rods, roller rockers, all this stuff."

Push rods are metal rods in some engines that help open and close the valves. They connect the camshaft to the rocker arms, making sure the engine breathes properly.

Part

roller rockers

"calculating the length of the push rods, roller rockers, all this stuff."

Roller rockers are parts of an engine that help open and close the valves. They have a small roller on the end, which makes them work more smoothly and efficiently than regular rockers.

Term

blueprint motor

"you would be smart to probably try to snag a good deal on a blueprint motor too."

A blueprint motor is an engine that has been carefully built to very specific standards to make it perform better. It's like following a detailed recipe to get the best results.

Part

brake calipers

"much like me wanting to rebuild my brake calipers."

Brake calipers are parts of the braking system that squeeze the brake pads against the wheels to help stop the car. They are important for making sure the car can slow down safely.

Car

383

"Like Spence got a 383 from Blueprint Motors and he bought it at some point when they had a coupon or something going."

The 383 is an engine size that refers to a 383 cubic inch V8 engine, commonly used in cars for better performance. It's known for providing a lot of power, especially in modified vehicles.

Car

Mopar 383

"Like Coop and Scotty bought the Mopar 383 from the summit store because it was like a scratch and dent model."

The Mopar 383 is a powerful engine made by Chrysler. It's famous for being used in many classic American muscle cars, providing a lot of speed and power.

Term

stroke

"...I've heard people talk about the stroke. I love the way it's 383 sounds, though..."

Stroke is how far the engine's piston moves up and down. It helps decide how powerful the engine can be.

Car

Chevy Van

"I made my 85 Chevy Van into a five-speed..."

The Chevy Van is a large vehicle made by Chevrolet that can be used for transporting people or cargo. The 1985 version is known for being sturdy and practical.

Car

Pontiac Firebird

"...with a Firebird transmission."

The Firebird is a sporty car made by Pontiac that was popular in the late 20th century. It's known for being fast and having a cool design.

8 cars featured

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