The Point of No Return

Well, the Lincoln Shop Manual guided me through a successful 30 plus steps to pull my engine. When I rented the engine crane and went to pull it, I found this to be an easy Friday afternoon thriller. This is my first official engine pull. Went pretty smooth but leaves me wondering how easy or challenging it will be to reverse these steps when I get the rebuilt Y-Block back from M & D Automotive of Purceville. M & D is another post or many post altogether and more to come on that. All I can say about this is to be wise enough to know what you simply cant do yourself...before its too late.

Now my excitement is off the charts with so much to do! I have fuel lines to flush, carb to rebuild, starter, generator, fuel pump, etc to rebuild or replace. Where do I begin? This is my happy place. And how can I forget the engine bay? Im already picturing this pristine, like new engine bay with a clean rebuilt Y - Block in there. But what I have to do to make this happen is the real journey. One that I will enjoy every turn of the ratchet, stroke of the wire brush, wire to replace, and spray of new paint. Lets not forget skinned knuckles, oily messes, and inconvenient trips up to the hardware store for that one open end 11/16th wrench that is just the right size to get that one last bolt loose either. A man hasnt lived until he has gone this far...the point of no return.

750 Lbs of Detroit Iron

Gasp! Yikes! Holy expletive!

Yes, those @#! exhaust manifolds are still hanging on to the rusted remains of the exhaust pipes that were just too stubborn to get at with the engine still in. But NOW, I have access and they shall surrender.