Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I'm thinking just the opposite.
Much is to be learned by failure. We have taught the youth of this country way too often that the way to success is to buy your way in. The people on this site that I have the most respect for do much or all of the work themselves.

Wish the government leaders were as transparent as you have been with this build. I don't agree with everything you have done but admire your efforts.

Pete

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

This is the problem with people these days.. and then when the motor someone else built, that they are incapable of doing anything on, breaks they throw the builder under the bus and move on to the next guy..


This sport wasn't built or grown on the backs of the guy with the most money that could go out and buy the best parts.. it was done on the backs of the tinkerer and the thinker and the innovator. The guys and gals who had a passion for doing things with their hands and understand why things worked and how to make them work better. There is a pride with accomplishing a build and all the trials and tribulations involved and then seeing the end result make a pass down the track. You don't get that when you buy everything complete and have someone else put it all together so you can drag it to the track and run it..


It might be easier and yeah Todd and Autumn might get on the track sooner if they decide to take that route, but the car and engine look to be in very capable hands and as frustrating as always building and not getting to drive may be.. in the end this is just as FUN as running the car down the track. Especially the quality time it has led to with the two of them doing it together.


I want to do this again with my dad, this time my wife and daughter can be involved and that's the special part of this build...

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Guys I totally understand this, I mean, I look at this situation and think I must be an idiot for this to happen so many times, so I can see where most people would also draw that conclusion. I can sit here and place blame on everyone around me from the guy I bought the car from to an engine guy or parts manufacturer, but I really don't believe any of that is true, it's just "a racing deal". I dare you guys to post pictures of your failures! I'm commited and I believe in myself, as do the people around me. I mean I have actually seen threads on here downing the guys that are "checkbook racers" and I can assure you, I can call Warren, Sherman, BES or anyone today and order an engine, my wife called one of them on Saturday to order me a new one, I'm not doing that. Judge me if you will... haters make me famous!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

First off, my sympathies and condolences for your misfortune with this engine build.I don't know how some people can sit at a keypad and criticize anything, but some still do. I looked in the one photo that it looked like the crank made it. Did it, or is there damage there as well? When you said that the bearings all looked good,that was a good sign. It's a good thing you didn't buy a Dart or a Bowtie block and hurt it. This is one of those things that happened.You and your daughter are a fine team, have an enviably nice car, stuff happens, and this too shall pass.Hang in there, keep the news coming,you guys will be back!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

You just keep doing what you're doing. I don't agree with a lot of things that you're doing BUT doing it with your daughter is priceless! When my daughter was young, I would take her all over the place racing hoping that someday she would be racing with dad like her mom did. Well, it never happened for me and I'm just a bit jealous.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

You are so lucky to be doing this with your Daughter. With all the trials and tribulations that you have been through it is making your daughter a better person. And through this all you have constructed a Race car that your Daughter will be very proud to drive as she has been all the way through the process with her Dad.
You have constructed a show piece.
You could of given Warren or others 25-30k and still had the same thing happen. This was your build with all the parts that you thought we the best.
Don't listen to all the naysayers----keep up the good work.

Dan Chipman
Hamburger, Bachelder & Chipman from years ago

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Famous last words in any conversation involving me......."Greg, what you really should have done is...." . A self appointed know it all is a source of incredible,humor,laughter and mirth to all the rest of us who obviously can see that he doesn't !

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Usually the hardest things to accomplish in life, end up being are greatest reward once we accomplish them. Don't give up!, don't ever give up! Thanks for including us in your build.






Bret Velde
2003 FS/?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I continue to follow your efforts and even with all the tribulations you and Amber have had to deal with. My heart goes out to both of you. I'll tell you that it really brings back some memories of my youth with my Dad more than 50 years ago with a (then called) Jr. Stock eliminator 348 Impala.
We broke a number of parts before we made it to the strip. It was all trial and error for the 2 of us. I was 14 years old and 1 of my 1st lessons was the pistons only go in 1 way(to match the valve reliefs), and that was only the beginning. I praise and admire your perserverence, and ask that you just keep on trying. I look forward to all the updates. You are the 1st thread I check every morning. Thanks for reading.
God Bless,
Walt

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I don't have pictures, But my 1st failure was a 347 Pontiac. It broke a rod bolt. 2nd a 260 Ford. Dropped a valve into a cast piston. Yes I learned and am still learning. :rolleyes: