I will be thrilled to hear your comments if by than you have not wearied of the discussion. I see so much generosity and patience with you more experienced enthusiasts and that is just so nice!


I can only comment from my own perspective, and would not ever attempt to tell another car enthusiast how he or she should approach the hobby. That being said, I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill on this subject. While I understand that you paid for one thing and possibly got another, that is no reason to have this be the monumental issue it has become for you.

But then again, I have never really understood the hardcore restorers who are so hung up on whether a car has the exact number of threads showing on the ball joints and if the correct length cotter pin was used on the draglink. I have too much regiment in my daily work life, so cars are my escape from that and I take them for what they are........fun, and a toy.

The other thing, as I mentioned in my earlier post, is that you are talking about a 1966 T Bird here, not a historically significant aluminum frontend muscle car. Please understand that is not being said to in any way knock the car, but it is what it is. The car is just as valuable with the 390 probably as with the 428, or pretty close. Why beat yourself up over something as insignificant as this minor difference? It is probably a great automobile, so fix the heads and enjoy it for what it is.

You sound like a person who is very precise in every aspect of your life, and who is driven toward perfection. I was an "A" personality too, until I had my first heart attack at 43. Then I realized that life is a little easier on you if you roll with the punches and compromise a little. Loosen up and enjoy the car, otherwise you are going to drive yourself nuts over those lost 38 cubic inches.

I hope this post comes across the way it was intended. I just think as a newcomer to this hobby you should learn to have fun with it and not make it something that has to be so D*** perfect in every respect. Cars are cars.


Don