He was really eyeing the 500" short block that he put together 2 years ago and almost loaded it up but we realized it had Hard Block in it, tall fill, so we decided that wouldn't be a good choice for all those Drag Week street miles. Pistons are also sticking out about .040 so he would have to buy some .125 head gaskets to try to lower the compression.

So he bought a 440 rotating assembly (virgin 440 crank (so virgin that it didn't even need to be turned or cleaned up, however it was a .010 under rod journal from the factory out of a 1967 motor with 915 heads), 440 source H-beams and Venolia flattop pistons) and a .60 over 440 block that should be ready to go.

By the way I don't sell used parts, only experience (track tested) and seasoned stuff. lol

Well Wade,
I never sell used parts, 'cause they only get taken off the car if they are broke!!!

Started back the other direction tonight, rear-end is back in, along with the new shocks.

I update this thread against my better judgement!

For one, not many seem interested, and I'm a slow writer, so when it gets very few views/ no comments I start to wonder why spend the time...from the looks of the board lately I feel like I'm not the only one with that attitude.

2nd, well, I just spent 600 bucks in tow money, 5 days of my vacation time and 2 days of unpaid time with the express intent of going to Oklahoma to help my brothers get ready for Drag Week, only to find them completely unprepared to get anything done and vehicles pretty much looking exactly like the pics I posted 4 months ago!! It's disheartening to say the least.
Back in March, when I first started this thread, Boone had brought the "Barnyard" back from Dad's place, and the first pic I posted was of it rolled out at his house. In the following months, the list of excuses for no progress pics was:

"I'm cleaning out the garage to make room for it".
"I'm building shelves in the garage to make room for it".
"I'm adding to the loft in the garage to maker room for it".
"I'm building a storage building".
"I'm ordering parts and making lists of everything it needs".

ON and on, and on.

Then they decide to take the Truck to Dale's to weld in the bar.

So, when I show up at Dale's on 6/30, 3 months since the first pic in this thread was taken at Boone's, here is what I'm greeted by: Pretty much the exact same pic less hood and bed.

I'll admit the stairs, shelves, and loft in his shop are quite impressive,

Well Billy I for one enjoy reading about your escapades and envy what your doing. I would love to be able to enter the drag week deal but honestly dont see it ever happening for me. Wish you the best of luck getting everything ready and look forward to hearing your results.

As for the boards activity lately. I think it is just the summer doldrums..I have ot raced since Fallon but will be leaving this comong week for Sears Point.

But I can't help but wonder where the Truck would be if even 50% of those man hours were spent on it!

Thanks Al!
I live about a block and a half from John Bycroft, and I saw him hooking the MH to his trailer in preparation for the trip to Sonoma...It always hits me right in the chest when I see that!!

Boone had the entire week off as well, and Darren and Dale had only to work mon-tues. So I was hoping for big things, but it was clear from the start getting everyone on the same page was going to be difficult.

We dissasembled the truck quickly and went to work on the frame, Boone had already decided to use most of the front end parts from the donor truck, and had already cleaned them up, so it was a matter of stripping it down.

It was all hands on deck, and my Grandson had to get in and help as well.

Sharp-eyed sweptline guys will look at that spring and say WTH? A-body Super-Stocks moved under the frame rail.

We jumped on the cab as well, to start prepping it for paint..re, basically just some color, no time for quality! It's going to look the part of a retired, down and dirty Gasser, pretty much because if it makes it, it will be tossed together as quickly as the real things were!!

Most of the old drag cars we've seen from the 60/70's used outandish colors everywhere because, I guess, they wanted everyone to know they had touched every part of the vehicle!
In that vein, we decided flat black anywhere would be taboo..the Blue metallic on the frame should help create that feeling, without being too flashy. The Rocket wheels up front will be matched to a pair of 40 year old 15X10 Aluminum slots on the back that Darren spent the better part of 2 days on to bring them to a luster that will rival the fronts. The ScareBird disc brake conversion might not look the period, but hey it's going to get driven!! We put 7 degrees worth of wedges under the axle, hopefully it will feel better than it used to at 110 mph.

I thoroughly enjoy reading these posts, please don't stop posting them. I even tried to turn my post about my car into more of a story like you have. Keep it up!

Love sweptlines

Billy...I always told ya that you should write for a magazine! I enjoy your threads...Now...It looks like your work is cut out for ya!! Good luck!!

Billy... I can totally understand helping the brothers
but DAMN... if they dont want to work on it(their
own cars)then I would be putting the time in on my
own stuff to make sure I'M ready then help them IF
they(and you) are sure it can be finished in time...
like you it does get a little discouraging when you
see zero done after 3 or 4 months

Billy
Hard not to get discouraged every now and then but you definitely have your work cut out for you, don't give up. I for one want to see you guys back again this year. I enjoy reading your progress reports after which I usually feel guilty then go work on my car some more. I need more reports from you LOL.
Ross

Don't stop posting!! PLEASE!!

These threads are awesome and while this my be the first time I ever posted to any of your drag week threads, I am reading them. To the point I would be late to work in the morning to read the previous days exploits on the road. Story telling is fun to write and even more fun to read.

And that truck and Valiant are super cool!! I want to see them both on the road and track this year!! Kick your brothers in the teeth and get them moving.

Nice to see you guys are back at it......Hope you guys make it.
Kevin

Murphy's law..."If it wasn't for the last minute...nothing would ever get done"

Keep up the good work!

If you are not getting your point across just gives us their phone numbers. Its only 2 months away.