I read some of the replies after my post, and after some thought I decided of end this once and for all, frankly I don't need it. One last post.
Maybe I have a "big head" and an "attitude" because:
1) I worked at the plant that made ALL the big blocks for 32 years, so I have SOME idea of how they made these motors.
2) I had access to ALL the production records of that plant and am considered a (somewhat) of a historian from that plant. Some of those are preproduction records that document some of the history of the W. No one else has them. (MKIISS) and 425 have seen them. I know where the "truck" moniker began, and Ihave a good idea why it was perpetuated.
3) I have ALL the production records of ALL the big block production,BY SUFFIX CODE, if you want to bet where any ENGINE production numbers came from, guess me. These are by "model year, engines SHIPPED"!.
That said, I DID learn some new things from this site. Nickle and dime things?. As far as the W is concerned there is much lost to time, and memories fade when asking "old timers". There will ALWAYS be "guessing".
4) I'm 60 years old, I was 15 in 1960, if YOUR under 50 you haven't got a CLUE what went on back in the '60's, what it was like to LIVE it!. I was, I did. I bought the cars, I raced some in the mid 60's AT THE TRACK, as well as the street, I have some idea on how cars ran back then. And if your under 40 your going by someone elses "memories".
5) I bought EVERY "hot rod" magazine there was out there from 1960 to 1970, and to today. I read about the cars, all cars, and I didn't race Chevy's so I'm not biased towards Chevy. When I comment on Chevy's from back then I don't "rah, rah" Chevy when they don't deserve it. Boo hoo to all you who don't like it. I'm honest, not biased.
6) Speaking of those magazines, my collection starts in the mid '50's, goes solid in 1960, and I saved them ALL. My collection is one of the largest in the nation, bet me if you don't think so. That helps my knowledge base.
I lived it, and read about it, sorry if that upsets most of you. If anyone wanted to CORRECT me, that's was fine, just tell me YOUR "cred's". I WAS corrected, and learned some new things.
7) I had my hands ON a "mystery" motor, and a 409, and a Mark IV all at the same time. I restored as well I could the Chevrolet "mystery" display motor, the one they display. The ZL-1 motor in the Corvette museum was originally "MY" motor, sent to ME at the plant, and restored by ME, as a ZL-1 Camaro motor, because I didn't want one as a Corvette. Eventually it was re-dressed and sent to Bowling Green. I've compared a "mystery", a '09, and a MKIV by having them sitting next to one another, in pieces, side by side. At that time I personally talked to Chevy engineers from back then. That's helped me learn about it's history.
8) I know where the "mystery" came from, the 409. I know what it WASN'T, a MKIV, the only similarity is the head design. I've researched it.
I have the "cred's", know anyone else who has any like mine?. If so who?.
8) I gave seminars at the National Chevelle Owners Association, from 1987 to 1992. One of those was with Smokey Yunick, we were together for a week, I had a change to meet him "up close andn personal". I attended his auction in 1989, I saw what he had, and what it was worth.
9) I gave a seminar at the 1988 National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS). I talked with Zora. I'm friends with Terry McManmon, a life time member of the Corvette Museum, he's the expert on LT-1 Corvettes 1970 to 1972.
10) I took him and Mark Meekin's on a tour of the Tonawanda plant the week before Mark IV production ended (and MK V began). They saw, and photographed, the machine floor and production line. They were the ONLY people who did that, and the last ones. Because I put it together.
11) I had a monthly column in All Chevy magazine thanks to a correction I wrote of their "History of the Big Block" article in the first issue. That ran for 2 years. There were two magazines back then, Super Chevy (edited by Doug Marion) and All Chevy (edited by Dan Sanchez). Marion never wanted me, he wanted it all for himself, Sanchez recognized my abilities and helped HIS readers.
So SOMONE recognized my writing, speaking abilities and paid me for it. But about 1993 I switched jobs at the plant, and dropped out of the "system". Now who out there has "cred's" like that?, anyone?.
12) I raced in 1965 & 66, and taught my first wife how to drive. Back then it was rare women raced. I raced off and on up to 1970 (we divorced in 1967). I dropped out of racing until 1988 when my second wife decided at age 40 SHE wanted to race!. I worked second shift and didn't go out much, set the car up, tuned it, she dialed and drove. In 1990 she went into the "points" system, that year she was runner-up in Street points for the season at our local track, in 1991 she won it, in 1992 she was 3rd later she changed to Heavy when I built her a 1984 Monte Carlo with a 454. It's a mild car, runs 11.50's at 117, but she can load it, tow it to the track, unload it, dial it, race it, load it back up and tow it home. I used to race the tow vehicle off and on, then picked up a 1985 Corvette that was set up as a bracket car by a friend of mine. Since I retired I'm finally able to race on a weekly basis.
I only say that because I'm a bracket racer, I've been into bracket racing heavily since 1990. When I comment on what a car will do, or does at the track it's from personal experience. When I answer a post on drag racing it's because I DO IT!. Do you?. How much?. What kind of car?. Aubrey don't answer, you da MAN!.
All of that is where my "big head" comes from, I've been ther and done that and don't suffer fools lightly. Is it bragging?. Or is it just telling you where I come from and what my "cred's" are?. Should I have NEVER have said where I get/got my knowledge comes from?. My mistake was I gave answers, then explanations, and where I got my info from. That makes me "big headed"?. If so, so be it. Those "comments" help explain my "attitude".
my "attitude" comes from:
1) Being bashed by "know-nothings or littles" telling ME they're right and I'm wrong. Sometimes I am, and I can take it, and I respect it when I am. But my knowledge covers more than one small area, where some have knowledge that's more focused on one small area. I THANK Richard, Phil, Aubrey and a couple of others for helping me.
2) I can't STAND people perpetuating a "myth", dispensing numbers that are wrong, and then pretending they're experts. It's frustrating. But then really, why should I care?. I actually attract animosity because I try to correct someone and they can't stand saying they were/are wrong. But hey, if it's wrong and someone reads it and thinks it's right they become (sometimes) experts based on false knowledge, then THEY pass it on and so it goes. But then like I say, so what, I should and will pretty much drop out again.
3) When someone "protects" a person, and/or seller, in effect covers up for someone, I lose respect. I'm thinking here where it was said you should be able to post when they buy something and it's not quite up to snuff (to politely put it). If a vendor is selling things that aren't what they're supposed to be why not be able to say it.
4) I don't hide, and don't respect those that do.
5) I don't (knowingly) LIE, and don't respect those that do.
6) I don't exaggerate. and don't respect those that do.
7) I don't CHEAT, and don't respect those that do.
8) I don't think I'm "holier than thou", and don't respect those that do.
9) I'm not a "jesus freak", and don't like those that are.
That just about covers it. If you don't like it, so?. I can see that I'm just not the person many expect of me, or want to hear from, or about. So ta ta, so long, I'm thin skinned, I have an attitude problem and I'm full of myself. But wht are YOUR "cred's"?. Skip it, those who want to keep in touch do so by private email.
PS: Bob, I have no desire to play god and run a web site, and/or play god.
: Just thought I'd put in my two cents, it may not be worth that much but oh well. I for one can't understand why some feel the need to argue with you about a few simple rules (whether they agree with them or not) 
I think they are good rules. I have heard bad mouthing about venders that I have had good service from and I have had bad service from those that are praised. If someone is considering placing an order and is concerned let him ask for private messages about the vender then make up his mind. That's a good idea Bob. 
I for one appreciate what you do here!
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