Tom Kochtanek
06-10-2003, 10:53 PM
Wow! I just had an eye full of "409 candy" yesterday. I visited Day Automotive in Independence, MO, where Tony Shaffer rebuilds performance engines. He has been doing 409 engine restos since the 1960s in this shop. He did the 348 engines with the 350 HP 3x2 setups that were in the recent Chevy Rumble magazine (for a fellow named Prizer on the East coast).
I was given a "tour" of the shop, which is a pretty modest place tucked away in a sleepy residential area. It was easy to spot amidst the bungalows when one spots the 55 gallon drums of Sunoco racing fuel loaded on trucks and car trailer (as in "roundy round" cars and drag strip cars). Inside the shop is another story. Full of "W" stuff -- all over the place. In one corner was a 1963 Z-11 block and matching set of heads waiting to be restored for an Oregon owner (who reportedly has several Z-11 cars). A picture on the wall from last year show no fewer than 11 matching sets of Z-11 heads (out of the 92 reportedly made?).
I went there to pick up a B/W T-10 four speed and to check the shop out for future possibilities. I was impressed by the honestly and experience that exuded fthese guys, who were clearly dedicated to these motors (engines:)).
I plan to be back there next week in my '62 with a trunk load of parts (block and heads) for himn to look over and give me some advise. I think I will take the digital camera this time.
His brother, Don Shaffer, about 20 miles away is doing a frame off resto on one of those rare aluminum-bodied '62 SS cars and I hope make that trip soon as well. I bet Wrench will want to see those photos of the aluminum pieces :)
Cheers,
Tom K
I was given a "tour" of the shop, which is a pretty modest place tucked away in a sleepy residential area. It was easy to spot amidst the bungalows when one spots the 55 gallon drums of Sunoco racing fuel loaded on trucks and car trailer (as in "roundy round" cars and drag strip cars). Inside the shop is another story. Full of "W" stuff -- all over the place. In one corner was a 1963 Z-11 block and matching set of heads waiting to be restored for an Oregon owner (who reportedly has several Z-11 cars). A picture on the wall from last year show no fewer than 11 matching sets of Z-11 heads (out of the 92 reportedly made?).
I went there to pick up a B/W T-10 four speed and to check the shop out for future possibilities. I was impressed by the honestly and experience that exuded fthese guys, who were clearly dedicated to these motors (engines:)).
I plan to be back there next week in my '62 with a trunk load of parts (block and heads) for himn to look over and give me some advise. I think I will take the digital camera this time.
His brother, Don Shaffer, about 20 miles away is doing a frame off resto on one of those rare aluminum-bodied '62 SS cars and I hope make that trip soon as well. I bet Wrench will want to see those photos of the aluminum pieces :)
Cheers,
Tom K