I've been toying with it here and there when it's a touch warmer, now that we've got a couple heaters for the garage.

Been fighting the shifter. With the new detent plate it won't go into park or 1st, and the cable from inside the car looks good, so I'm just waiting for it to warm up enough for me to work on the car with the garage door open so I can jack it up.

But looking at the old one, it's no wonder why it sucked!

I've managed to get some useless stuff done, but nothing of importance.

I'm pretty much certain it's got the wrong shifter cable. To distract myself from that disappointment, I decided to put the speakers I got for Christmas into it. Well, the old wires were just too brittle to trust, and I had a hard time getting the radio out, so.... RETROSOUND!

Of course, even that can't go smoothly. I had to order the plastic retainer for the dash bezel, which I'm waiting on. And I only ordered one speaker grille (the ones I got didn't come with 'em) so that too.

Trying to finish one project at a time, but I need some help.

I have to do the fuel pump, so that's the next project. I'm sure it's not, but I am hoping and praying that's where my engine noise is from, rather than a timing chain or god forbid dead cam lobe. It's always run just inconsistent enough to where none of them can be ruled out. I really don't know. I'm sure replacing the chain would be a good idea, but between the brakes (which still aren't done- and I need to find someone else who can do them, as the guy we wanted is retiring, and I sure as hell don't have the skill and brakes are one area I don't want to play around with) and whatnot, the money just isn't there right now.

It's a 454, 10.25:1, 291 heads, and a Comp 305H flat tappet. What's the right flow? 80 GPH? 110? I've never replaced one (and I've been warned of making sure I get the lever in the right spot)


Oh, and I was jamming to Beggars' Day when I took the picture, in case you wondered!

Just get a standard AC pump. I have a rebuilt one in the classifieds.

What’s wrong with your brakes? Sounds like an easy one to knock out. How far are you from Grosse Pointe?

They need to be converted to disc, that's the issue lol. I've never even so much as changed a master cylinder, and have done a caliper like once. I'm in Garden City, so about 35 minutes according to Google (not much of a traveler so I had to look it up)

Beggars Day !!! Good Old Nazareth Hair of the Dog 8 track ,that brings back some memories of my V8 Vega Days

Time for the yearly update, and it's... not a good one.

As you all know, the car has never gone into the shop like we've been saying for years.

Which means it's still knocking like a Jehovah's witness, and still has faulty brakes.

The reason was I never wanted to push too hard for Pappaw to do it- technically his car, his money, but it just never felt right for me to badger him about it since it would have been for my benefit. So I figured when he was ready he was ready.

Well, last month, our family lost our hero. Pap was 70. Lung cancer took him from us.

Our last conversation was about 20 minutes before he passed. It was about a 383 stroker in his garage. My parents, my sister, and my aunt and uncle all said his voice was much clearer when we were talking. I like to think I gave him one last burst of energy. I'll miss him the rest of my life.

But what sticks with me is something he told my aunt.

He said he never was able to figure this car out. A big part was life getting in the way. But it's never, ever run quite right no matter where the timing was, or how the carb was tuned, even before it started making noise.

He told her it's my car to fix, it's up to me.

I'm not super mechanical but it's time to learn. Because I will fix this car with my own two hands if it kills me.



As for the other 3 cars? The Foxbody is also mine- that car is the one he set up exactly how he wanted it. It has parts that he designed himself. It's staying in this family forever.

The National is going to my aunt. This is a good thing as she loves it more than I do. Which is saying a lot.

The Chevelle is up in the air to be honest. Long story.

I can't really work on any of them right now. Another long story. But as soon as I'm able to, I'll be posting updates.

Hey man, really, really sorry about the loss of your grandfather. My dad passed from lung cancer/emphysema/COPD, partially from smoking, but mostly from bodywork and painting for over 50 years of his life. Prayers for you and your family.

Sorry for your loss - we're all here to help when you are ready.

Very sorry for the loss of your Grandfather. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Sorry for your loss. As I mentioned, I’m not far if you decide to fix it yourself.