Here we go.
This is where it will all begin. This small block General Motors 350 came from an old 1976 or 1977 Chevrolet pickup truck owned by my uncle. My dad removed the head, ten or fifteen years ago to repair a small block 400 Chevy 4x4 I used to drive.

This baby has sat for decades under a pine tree on my parents property in rural Mecosta County. In spite of the fact that the block was growing moss, and that there was enough dirt and decomposing organic material on the heads to have mistaken it for a compost heap, this puppy will be the heart and soul of whatever this project turns out to be.

The other head came off relatively easily. With the exception of one bolt which gave eventually, the entire process took less than a half-hour.

The trouble came with the distributor. 20 years of sitting, exposed to the elements froze the old distributor into the engine block—thereby effectively locking the manifold to the block. Dad went out and doused the area in ATF. We’ll see how things turn out when I get back from my BARJ conference this afternoon. I will work on getting that thing off before attempting to raise the block and get it in the back of my Express van.