Every time I plan to have a week off to do such things, the unexpected happens. I have to keep my plans to myself so that the universe doesn't hear me. So in essence, I make those plans in my head, but NVER speak those plans out loud. I don't even write them down. I just keep them to myself until the first day. Then I start my car stuff. But I never, I repeat NEVER, talk about those plans ahead of time.  ... View more

My Aunt had a '77 or '78 F150 flareside 4wd that was white with blue panels around the fenders and doors. I always liked it but what got my 6 yr old blood pumping as fars as pickups went was:   And: And even though it was VERY early 80s:   ... View more

I wouldn't have know about the Gulf colors at such a young age if I didn't get a gt40 slot car for Christmas when I was 6. That color scheme just stayed. The JPS colors were on an Indy car 1/64. I can't remember if it was Hot wheels or another brand. I think it was another brand because I remember it having very detailed wheels vs. the generic hotwheels mags. I always like the JPS colors too.  ... View more

If my memory serves me correctly, it was stated to me one time that torque could be measured, and horsepower was simply "calculated". I may be misremembering, or have been told wrong. It's been a long time, and I had a lot of fun in the 80s so please don't quote me on this one. ... View more

I think it is a way of the smug to look down on us "regular" guys who couldn't possibly be doing as well as them. I remember in early grade school hearing about the upcoming "second ice age where everything was going to freeze and we were all going to die". Then in late grade school up through my early twenties it was "the world is warming at an alarming rate and we will all burn to death if we don't wear tin foil cones on our heads to protect our scalp from the UV rays". Then by my mid to late twenties it was back to the "second ice age" with a new twist. It would be brought on by "global warming". Finally, by my late 30s, the people who had been going back and forth for three decades on what was going to happen next to scare the living crap out of the uninitiated just gave up and called it "climate change". This way week by week we can get new evidence that we are two days away from either freezing to death, or a thermonuclear meltdown brought on by the sun due to the harmful swamp gases emitted from behind everyone's local Walmart is eminent. This is as bad as the floundering on eggs being good or bad for you depending on which decade you are currently in. I call shenanigans. ... View more

I know. It's a magical place. A place where everything is caught up and there is this thing called "time for relaxation". ... View more

My '88 Tbird and my '90 Tbird had them along with one giant one. Had the same problem and gutted them. Made a huge difference in both power and fuel economy. ... View more

I like it.  ... View more

I hear you.  ... View more

I think all of us have "stabbed in" the dizzy and been out. The old Mopar design that was basically like a slotted screwdriver gave you a 50/50 chance of being in or 180 out. Guess how many times I was 180 out?   On points, I still keep a set on hand in case the Pertronix unit fails. But.....the quality of components you get these days is NOT an apples to apples comparison to the points sets of old. ... View more

"Had the distributor of my MGA replaced with a  Pertronix unit before the Amelia Island or Bust tour in late February of 2020. I had quite a few problems, especially when it came to running at moderate revs under a light load. If I ran the car harder it did a bit better. I never liked it, though and when it came out when I got home I just benched it. It was not money well-spent and I won't do that again."   I had the same problem with a Petronix distributor until I realized that I wasn't running at a full 12v. Most points systems don't. That is, most don't once you start it. The cranking circuit usually operates at a full 12v, but then once in the run position either run off of a ballast resistor, or in my case a resistor wire that as the car runs increases resistance while decreasing voltage to 6v. If you don't either bypass the ballast resistor, or resistor wire, they will run great at first but degrade rather quickly. This is why most people will experience it running great right after start, then slowly the performance will erode until it won't stay running at an idle, but will run great wide open under high revs.    Unfortunately, that little tidbit of information is at the back of the installation manual.  ... View more

I'm sorry. This may be in bad taste, but does anyone remember the "Blood Flows Red on the Highway" scene from the 80s comedy "Moving Violation"? that's all I can think of when I think of all of those "drive responsibly" you lousy teenager films. ... View more

I finally re-read it and edited. Captain Oblivious strikes again!!!!! ... View more

Given that most new cars depreciate quite a bit as soon as your drive them off the lot, and of course, the first 3-5 yrs., I would pass. Being the cheapskate that I am, I would wait three or four yrs for them to become a little more "old hat" and let someone else pay the depreciation. New cars are a waste of money in most cases.  ... View more

If I were to go 408 Cleveland stroker I would go cast iron heads, but I would go either 4v, or Australian 2v heads with the closed chambers. The Bud Moore intake would be nice. I am not all that worried bout low end torque on a 2400 lb car with a stick. No aluminum. Although I have aluminum intakes on just about everything, I just don't trust aluminum heads on a cast iron block due to the different expansion rates and the fact that no matter how high aluminum is rated, is is one step closer to failure with every duty cycle, stress cycle, etc. Since this is all fantasy anyhow, I would opt for a good set of Aussie 2v heads. They will easily support 500 h.p.  ... View more

I like Studebakers. I think the Marque made some very interesting and unique automobiles including the Lark. I wouldn't be too worried about if it's restored or not. Sometimes, the restored cars are over-restored and yours might end up being a great reference for those who are looking to restore a Lark. I also the 71 up Chargers and Satellite/Roadrunner/GTXs of that era. I always thought that they were a great looking car.  ... View more

Thanks! The Galaxie is a '65. Little 289 between the fenders. Runs WAY too good to replace. Just a nice cruiser. ... View more

That 240 HAS to be a handful of FUN mixed with sheer terror with a 383 in it. Great car! ... View more

Great story, and great car. I helped my Stepdad build his 71 Duster while I was on layoff with Bellsouth. The car was an original /6 that someone had dropped a 318 in. I used the 410 horse Mopar Muscle build as a template. Since it already had the 318 we built a Twister replica out of it with the good blackouts, ladder stripe on the hood and the quarter panel Tornadoes. He had it painted in 2001 Prowler pearl orange. Love that green. There is a '71 340 Duster running around here that is Sublime Green.    I like the TTI stuff. Great Mopar specific stuff that actually fits whatever chassis they list.    Enjoy it, and enjoy your family.  ... View more

I would have to with a 351 cleveland stroker. Probably a 408. Although an FE is also tempting. ... View more

Sorry. I thought you meant with the Covid thing. No way I could have gotten all the car stuff AND two songs worth of pre-production, recording and mastering.    Over this weekend? Just about got my house completely back in order after the burst pipe/water damage/new flooring scenario. That DOES mean that my home studio is almost back in order after having my whole upstairs stored in it while the damage was repaired. I am almost there. Thank God!!!!! ... View more

Let's see...I converted my instrument panel lights to LED, installed new beltline weatherstripping, replaced the driver's side vent window, and replaced the trunk weatherstripping on the Cougar. I had a spot on the trunk floor that was getting worse on the Galaxie, so I did a partial trunk floor replacement. Did the valve seals on Dad's Plymouth, and recorded two new songs for an upcoming album.   ... View more

I say go for it. The worst that can happen is they aren't needing help right now. If you hang out for the cars and coffee thing, the connections you make might be able to help you out. And if they like your attitude and willingness to learn, they might just hook you up with a job anyhow. It's worth it to hang out and ask questions. That's how I learned, and found help when I got in over my head as a youngster. ... View more

Highway Star-Deep Purple (Ritchie and John Lord tore that song up when it was Time to burn).    And since Captain Oblivious (at least that's my wife's nickname for me) didn't properly read the OP:   Nobody gonnna take my car  Gonna race it to the ground Nobody gonna beat my car  It's gonna break the speed of sound   Yep. Used to have that cued up on the old Alpine cassette deck right before the burnout to heat the M&H Race masters.  ... View more

) any of the classic gulf blue-orange livery   Agreed. My "lottery" car would be a Superformance GT40 MKII in Gulf attire. Loved that look since I was a kid.  ... View more

Greg did the 400 poncho swap after he bought the car as a very nice roller. ... View more

I hate those. I like the splined ones even less.  ... View more

Show me an XR4TI and I will be salivating.  ... View more

  Does a Gremlin count as an animal?   Yes, but don't put oil in it after midnight.  ... View more