The Too Long Chevy Distributor

"Bob from Bob's Auto Tune," he said over the phone. "What's my discount price on a Mallory distributor?" He added, "Small block Chevy and I need a bronze gear 'cause I'm running a billet roller cam."

Ten minutes later he picked it up. Ripped apart the box and checked the distributor from one end to the other. Checked out the gear, too.

The Case of the Defective Manifold

He bought an Edelbrock intake manifold for his mid '70s Pontiac 400. I got the call.

"Hey, I bought an intake for a Pontiac 400 yesterday and it's defective. I'd like to return it and exchange for a good one."
"What seems to be the problem?" I asked.

Always Ask For the ADD-ON Sale

I was talking about selling parts with a friend of mine the other day and we both agreed that one of the best ways to improve your bottom line was to let the customer know the other items he can get from you to complete the install. It's very hard to get countermen to "lean" on a customer a little bit, but if it's not done you can end up with an irate buyer.

Another Engine Building Tip

I really didn't start this blog as a "how to" guide on engine building. Over the years I have found that each engine builder has his own set of guidelines that he follows and he is usually NOT receptive to anything "new" or different. As a parts man, the worst thing I can do is get an engine builder to try something new, because if the engine fails for any reason it will be because he tried that new item; whether it was involved or not!

Today I received an email asking about head gasket thickness to change effective compression ratio. NetGaskets has head gaskets available in more sizes than anybody and at reasonable prices.
If you need a thicker gasket to reduce your CR a small amount or a thinner one to make it higher NetGaskets is the place to go!

Determine your compression ratio or see how changing the gasket thickness will affect your CR
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And how do YOU file fit rings?

I was talking to my friend Ray Akerly, the ring guru and namesake of Akerly & Childs Rings, about some of our experiences over the years. I was telling Ray about the first engine I built. I had been selling high performance add-ons for a few years and finally had an opportunity to build an engine when the 260 in my 63.5 Falcon Futura Sprint took a crap. I was getting water in the oil, as I explained to my wife, and I NEEDED to replace the engine.

Car Club Hosting Car Show

Last week I went to the eye doctor for my annual check up and he said," Dave, it's time to upgrade those glasses."
I looked over some of the frames he had on display with prices ranging from $300.00 and up and decided I would "shop around," before making a choice.
While I was in BJ's, picking up my monthly supply of paper towels, I stopped by the optical department to look over the frames they had available and there is where I met Norman Goodman. Norm seemed like the typical optician until I mentioned that I was in the automotive high performance business and then his eyes came alive as we spoke about his current Corvette. Norm is in a car club and they are having a car show on October 30th. Norm would like all you car enthusiasts to show up and have a good time so I included a copy of the flyer with this post.

If you go be sure to look Norm up and tell him Big Dave sent you!
Maroone Chevrolet Halloween Car Show
Let me know if you are going! I expect to be there with Bill Devine and his turbocharged Corvette.

Talking About Holley Carbs

I was working with one of the Holley techs at the NHRA Sports Nationals years ago when it was still being held at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky. We were offering free tech advice and a quick carburetor "go thru" for racers who were having carb problems.
The third guy of the morning brought up his 800 cfm double pumper and drawled, "she just won't idle at a steady rpm."