Thread: Just for fun

Tweet

I sometime write to relax - hope you all enjoy!!

While the details are a bit foggy, I started my life in 1969 in Buffalo New York at the Tonawanda engine plant. Along with a “cast of thousands”, I was a 3963512. We were the “big boys” - 4.251” bore and a 4” stroke displacing a whopping 454 cubic inches. Rumors abounded about how we would really take the world by storm in the 1970 Chevelles with some of us being “chosen” to become 465 horsepower strong. But such was not my destiny as early on, I was pulled from the line and re-purposed to fill a special order. It seems that the Blue Bird Corporation had an order that somehow got misplaced earlier in the year. One of the execs got a call from “somebody-who-knew-somebody” and next thing ya know, I was pulled from the assembly line and given a special treatment.

At first I thought, “This could be really cool!” My forged crank was nestled inside four bolt main caps and I got special pistons. But something was not right as my heads were installed – I just couldn’t breathe the way I wanted to. I felt strong, but somehow limited (can an engine have asthma?). And my carburetor was different – I heard about some of the guys getting three twos and big Holley fours but I strangely enough got a big Rochester 2 barrel with a governor – how depressing. And then the unthinkable happened – they mated me up to Allison, a pre-release four speed automatic for trucks and in my case – a bus. Oh she was a sweet kid, but an automatic and a bus when I really wanted to be in one of those 465 horse Super Sports with a rock crusher.

Then I was driven to my new home – a small school district in the mountains of southern California. Upon arrival I received a number “5” by my front door but as soon as my owners found out I was under the hood, the number was changed to reflect my being and I was known thereafter as bus number “454”. It was also at this time that I met and began a long love affair with Margaret or “Margie” as we all knew her.

Margie was the first woman bus driver in the district and she won the lottery to drive the “new” bus – that would be me. So for the next twenty years, Margie and I picked-up and dropped-off children. We safely carried them in the rain, snow, and sunshine with never a problem. Margie was good to me. Ya see, the drivers were in charge of their buses maintenance as well, Margie was the best.

Soon after my arrival, I met Margie’s husband, Frank who coincidentally drove an earlier version of the 3963512 in a Chevelle – a real beauty. But tight economic times and raising two of their own children was too much and the Chevelle was sold. It was a sad day – I remember it well as Margie told me all about it while changing my oil one morning.

Yup, Margie was good to me and she always babied Allison too – keeping RPMs just right and never abusing her. We’d probably still be together if it were not for that fateful day when Margie called in sick – twenty years and never a sick day - but she was only human. The kids still needed to be picked up so I was driven by a “substitute” driver. I knew right away we would not get along. He fired me fast and slammed Allison into gear without as much as a minute to warm up. I winced but Allison let out a real sharp cry and I knew right away something was wrong. The afternoon run was worse as the driver slammed the shifter and caused Allison to scream in agony. On the way back to the bus barn, the unthinkable happened - we came across a patch of ice and the driver floored the accelerator pedal. I wanted to stop, but I had no control. The rear tires were spinning wildly and my Rochester was against the governor as the tires found dry pavement – it was too much for Allison and she gave one final scream and then exploded and locked up. The driver cursed and stormed off the bus – leaving me alone with my Allison leaking fluid and critically injured.

We were towed to the bus barn and backed over the service pit. It was a Friday and on Monday after much discussion, it was declared that, “454 is done – not economically feasible to repair.” I was devastated. We went to the salvage yard where the bus was dismantled and Allison and I were separated – she was “scrapped” and I was, for some strange reason, placed on a pallet and put in a corner with a heavy tarp thrown over me – and there I sat for the next ten years.

As life is – mine became lonesome. Oh sure, there were other engines that came through the shop and I even thought I once heard of another 3963512, but for the most part – I consoled myself to my fate and had all but given up until one day I heard the sweetest voice I’d ever known as Margie and Frank came into the shop. Pulling back the tarp I heard Marie say, “We’ll take it” and I was soon craned into the back of Frank’s pickup and we drove off. I saw Frank’s garage for the first time and was again craned out of the truck and bolted to a stand.

“We’ll make you better than new” began Frank as wrenches unbolted and disassembled me. It got foggy (again) but I remember a nice hot bath and coming too with a lot of new innards. I was bright orange again but had new, lighter heads and chrome valve covers! And best of all, a Holley double pumper sat on top of an aluminum GM high-rise intake. I was giddy and nearly passed out as I saw the 1970 SS sitting next to me – hood off and engine bay looking factory new but without an engine – Imagine my joy as I was lowered in and felt the input shaft of an M-22 slide into my newly installed pilot bearing. Just when I thought it could not get any better, I was cranked up and oh the feeling of joy as I gulped great breaths of cold fresh air and for the first time in my life, I felt really alive!

I’ll miss Allison – but not too much. Margie really does know how to take care of me!

Nice Glenn! Somewhere a poor 302 is wondering why I left it all broken up!

Nice.
Great story.
Thanks and have a Happy New Year.

A nice story, Glenn. Is there some factual basis for your tale?

Originally Posted by rspears

A nice story, Glenn. Is there some factual basis for your tale?

No - just fun

nice story . i have about 12 children four bolts and two bolts all cleaned up sitting waiting .i talk to them .i tell them soon very soon . i will make you hole again

I love them when they wake up

Good way with those words, Glenn

Neat stuff Glenn!!! All different kinds of talent on the forum!!!

Originally Posted by stovens

Nice Glenn! Somewhere a poor 302 is wondering why I left it all broken up!

Yeah,Steve..Feelin guilty myself...
Nice story,Glenn..

That was cool Glenn.....makes me think of all the ones I abused...