My friend had either a '67 or a '69 Coronet that he was bringing back to life in our early 20's. I did a complete rewire on that thing for him. OMG THAT SUCKED!!!
Probably why I hate making cables to this day. Hmm. Anyway, it had a 383 in it that he was rebuilding in Vo Tech. Even as big as that engine compartment was. (huge!) you had to have a special "baby" wrench to get the valve covers on and off. It was a TIGHT fit!
I remember the day I finished the engine wiring and had him come in to see the progress. I told him every thing should work so he decided to turn on the wipers of all things. WTH?? PUSH THE STARTER BUTTON YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!!!! I knew there was no fuel and so did he. But it was an exciting moment anyway. We forgot that the carb was off and the intake was just covered with a shop towel. Oops. So he pushed the button, the engine turned over, and we heard a *FOOP!!!* sound as the towel got sucked in.
He let go of the button in panic and the recoil pushed the rag back out and over the rear end of the car. Hilarity and panic all at the same time! After the shock wore off he managed "Well....I guess the compression's pretty good." He never did finish it. Sold it as a project not too long after that.Yep. I dare anyone to try to find anything that compares to the sound of a wide open L88. All of Chevy's big V8 monsters are great....but that one is truly magical. Makes me tear up just thinking about it! I heard one in person once and it kinda melted my insides. Seriously. It's special.
It's funny too. Those monsters can be hard to start and sound like absolute crap at idle. Rough as hell. Kinda like a sick and wounded animal about 3 breaths away from death. That's part of the charm IMHO. But feed it some 110 octane and mash the pedal and it's like a pissed off T-Rex. The one whose dinner you just stole.
[runs to youtube to listen to C2 and C3 Corvettes]
