Finally back on the road

[zac]

Spun a bearing in the engine last November. My target for getting something functional installed was no later than April. Actually got it fired up first week of August. Oh well.

A few hundred miles on the engine now, running good, carb problems more or less dealt with. About two years worth of discretionary car hobby money went into a bored and stroked flathead this spring, so this 350 is a low-buck special. A recycled short block from my grandpa's old van that I "reconditioned." One '68 441 head that someone gave me, the other is a '70 off ebay for $15. The machine shop that did the flathead did the heads, no doubt because they felt sorry for me. Took a good beating on the engine board for this, which was kind of amusing. It mystifies me why people get so uptight about something that should be a fun hobby.

Tried to make the engine look more or less stock, although most of you will notice right away I didn't try all that hard. That van oil filler tube is just so convenient, althought now that the engine doesn't really burn oil it's kind of pointless. It comes off easy enough. I now have a serious appreciation for you guys who do the hardcore detailing and restoration. I had no idea how hard it was. Keep it up, and keep posting your pics. They are extremely helpful.

See you guys on the road.