The Resurrection

Five long years ago, we went to the annual Cache Valley Cruise-In with the Camaro. When we arrived back home, Bryan became concerned about a noise. The strong valve springs had pulled off the threads of the rocker studs. The beast was to be parked. Little did we realize it would take so long to get back to it. In spring 2008, we pulled it off the gravel and loaded it on gargantuan jackstands in front of the garage. Bryan picked out the engine train and pulled it apart. During the past year, we've slowly collected new parts. First were new heads; trick flow aluminums. Then we had to upgrade the cam with a solid lifter cam. Now we needed a Holley Street Dominator intake manifold, and it wouldn't be complete without the Holley Double Pumper carburetor. With 'Frankenstein's' parts assembled, we were ready for surgery. From the long sit, the engine collected goobers, and Bryan set to work cleaning it all up and rebuilding the engine. The valve covers he had collected from long ago ended up being extremely too tall, and new ones were needed. This is the only silly item we've ever bought for an engine. It was a total want. Another ugly set would have been fine, but you can't argue with Chevy Orange. After a month of rebuilding, and the last two weeks entire time spent on the car, Bryan was able to officially start it yesterday. And we woke to pouring rain. It was a battle of the gods. Thor wanted thunder and lightning, Mr. Horsepower wanted sunshine and exhaust. It was a back and forth all day. We won the morning hours, and then had to retreat for lunch and a downpour. Then the sun came back out and we were able to fiddle a few more things, and then claps of thunder. At long last, every piece was finally assembled and the beast was turned over. Eureka! Life! And then the largest torrential downpour I've ever seen. The kind of fat raindrops that create 'wet' rain. And Bryan was boiling mad. By hell or high water (hee hee), we were going to win. Bryan went out after the rain stopped and brought the beast back to life. And the rain came back in sheets. At this point, who cared anymore. We were winning this one. So the throttle was pulled and the great beast hollered. The more it rained, the more fuel we gave. Until suddenly the rain stopped. Thor had given up, and Mr. Horsepower triumphed his win with a twenty minute cam break-in. I'm sure we irked many of our neighbors, but they irked us when they called the city about the beast. The roar of the syncopated drumbeats were music to our ears, and the smiles stretched from ear to ear. Today the oil was changed out, and we took the Camaro for a short test drive. And it was wonderful. There is something special about the smell of old cars; a mix of gasoline, old vinyl, exhaust fumes and oil. The rumble under my feet was exhilarating, and I can't wait to go get ice cream in her again. It's been much too long.