Special Project for a Special friend (long post)

[Lynn]

I agreed to take on a project for a really good buddy who is having some serious health issues. He has maintained this car for a high end client for years, but cannot physically do the “final” project. Prayers are appreciated for Greg. He is like a brother to me. He has raced around the country for years, campaigning two world record holders, and still owns one of them. When he races here in central Oklahoma, I get to go work in the pits with him from time to time. He resurfaces the clutch disc after every run, tests and replaces valve springs as needed after every run, and pulls and inspects all the plugs. In addition, he reads the data from each run to see if carb adjustments are necessary. It is quite a flurry of activity. He has stayed incredibly busy in is “retirement” years. He was building portable chillers for racers all over last year to bring engine temps down after each run. Very innovative guy. It is really hard for him to be sitting on the sidelines. I am sure hoping he recovers fully. He was very supportive of me last year during my bout with prostate cancer. He is always bailing me out on some hair brained project. When I was building the Studebaker truck, I needed the park brake drum machined to fit on the Chevy output shaft. I dropped it off at his place before work one day along with the specs I needed, and he had it ready by lunch. The bill? I had to buy his machinist lunch. He said having me as a friend is like having another kid.

When he asked me if I would do this, I couldn’t say “no”. Even with all the stuff I have going on right now (the non profit work is taking way too much of my time, my daughter just donated a kidney to her husband, and Sherri has me scheduled for more work than I am used to at the office…. she even had me there for more than 8 hours a couple days last week) I knew in my heart I had to do it.

The project: Blue 69 Z/28 (RS if I remember correctly, but having fuzzy memories lately) that the client purchased new. He has had a factory cross ram set up in storage all these years. Still has the original 302 and trans, rear, etc., together with all the parts that were removed when a Bill Mitchell big block (not sure exactly what specs) and 5 speed (not sure what tranny) was installed some years ago. Greg went through the big block for him before installing it, so I know it was built right. Engine and trans have less than 1,000 miles on them. When the 302 was pulled, Greg rebuilt it to blue print specs, broke it in on the dyno, drained the oil and filled it with MM oil, not knowing when the owner would want it back in the car. Well, that day has come. Client has decided to sell this one owner car, and believes he will do better with the original drivetrain in the car and running. Greg called me the other day and told me he really wants this done for his client, and he did not trust anyone other than me to handle it (guess he didn’t see my hack mechanic job on the 11” rear brakes). I really feel honored to be part of this project; bringing a one owner Z back to original condition. I am also honored to help out my friend. I would make a play to buy the car, but doubt I could afford it right now. I remember seeing this car years ago when I stopped by Greg’s place one day. We’ve been buds for 20 plus years, and I don’t remember WHEN it was, but definitely remember the car. It still had the 302 in it at the time, and I remember thinking how pristine it was. When he started talking about a Z/28 project, I immediately asked: The blue one? Sure enough.

We scheduled the work to take place at his shop starting next Fri. evening. It's just about 20 minutes from my house. I am going to try and have it done by Sunday night. I don’t believe the client wants to set up the cross ram. I believe he just wants to keep it in the trunk and run the single four barrel. I am not sure how long the carb has been sitting, so I may take the carb off my Z (Eric built it so you know it was done right and runs great) and use it for initial startup. I will ask to look it over, and perhaps send it to Eric for a build. We will drain the MM oil and put in a good “classic” oil with zinc and a good filter (not a Fram). I also plan to take a five gallon can of 100LL to put in the tank for startup.

Any other tips or advice for things I may have overlooked will be appreciated. I told Greg I would want to take some pics of the project as we go along. Because of the short time frame, don’t expect Charley style pics and video. But, I will try and hit the highlights.

So, what do I get out of the deal? I get to keep the big block, five speed and all the other parts that are coming out. Hmmm.. Anyone know where I can get a deal on a cherry bodied first gen roller?