The "Expert"
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 438
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From: Centreville USA
The "Expert"
I was at a local car show today, cleaning up my 64 Galaxie (I was running late because it was chilly out when I was getting ready to leave and when I rolled the windows up, the passenger side window mechanism popped out of the little rollers in the window channel. I had to take the door apart and fix it quick as the window would not roll up or down.). Anyway, I was chatting with one of the local car "Experts" who was telling me about the car (a Ford, I forget what though) that he was restoring from scratch. Our conversation wrapped up like this:
"Expert" - So what engine are you running?
Me - Its a 390. A remanufactured long block.
"Expert" - Oh. Cool. Cleveland or Windsor?
Me -
Me - Uh, the 390 is an FE. You're thinking of a 351.
"Expert" - Oh. Yeah. Right. (wanders off to look at the Viper parked next to me)
What would we do without "Experts?"
"Expert" - So what engine are you running?
Me - Its a 390. A remanufactured long block.
"Expert" - Oh. Cool. Cleveland or Windsor?
Me -
Me - Uh, the 390 is an FE. You're thinking of a 351.
"Expert" - Oh. Yeah. Right. (wanders off to look at the Viper parked next to me)
What would we do without "Experts?"
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 438
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From: Centreville USA
That's another pet peeve - people asking me what year my car is. I have 1964 (year of manufacture) Virginia plates on her. Oh, well. I guess they actually have to look to figure that out.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: CT
If they don't know or understand the make, year and engine there's not much reason to continue the converstation with these "experts". I like the ones that own the awesome nice rides and have no idea what they have. You can ask them anything and they either BS you or start to sweat and look at their watch. Wondering where the time went?? LOL. Most of them also know a guy who knew a guy who had one better than yours. Like Ron White said "That's 2nd generation don't give a ****!
Brothers I hear ya on this one!!
Brothers I hear ya on this one!!
Last edited by krewat; Oct 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM. Reason: Don't mask profanity - just type it in and let the system mask it for you ;)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,354
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From: America
i though it was funny at a car show last year something like that happened. my dad has a 428 in his mustang and this guy was asking what it was when it has 428 cobra jet valve covers on it, then he asking why he didnt go with a "500 series" engine in it. for some reason i can't get that out of my head. where would you even come up with 500 series??
some people should be sent to prison just for being stupid
does anyone else always hear "my brother/buddy used to have 3 of those" or "my 350 has 500+hp (with stock heads)". those are pretty funny things too.
some people should be sent to prison just for being stupid
does anyone else always hear "my brother/buddy used to have 3 of those" or "my 350 has 500+hp (with stock heads)". those are pretty funny things too.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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Went to a car show, with way too many 350 chevys into whatever, but there was a nice rod with a flathead Ford on display, engine in the open. The other guy wanted to know what kind of V-SIX that was, because each side of the engine only had three pipes on the manifold attached to the engine. Never mind four sparkplugs on each cylinder head.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 4
From: Mddl A MexCans
I usually wont say anything but "it's an FE" if they come back with a number it's usually because they have a clue. Most often they'll say 390, and I offer up the truth. The ones who just look to the left and ponder that they are actually trying to remember something eventually just give that raised brows nod and move on 
Which is perfect for the both of us 
Which is perfect for the both of us
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
I was at a local car show today, cleaning up my 64 Galaxie (I was running late because it was chilly out when I was getting ready to leave and when I rolled the windows up, the passenger side window mechanism popped out of the little rollers (COAB-6423240-B) in the window channel. I had to take the door apart and fix it quick as the window would not roll up or down.). Anyway, I was chatting with one of the local car "Experts" who was telling me about the car (a Ford, I forget what though) that he was restoring from scratch. Our conversation wrapped up like this:
"Expert" - So what engine are you running?
Me - Its a 390. A remanufactured long block.
"Expert" - Oh. Cool. Cleveland or Windsor?
Me -
Me - Uh, the 390 is an FE. You're thinking of a 351.
"Expert" - Oh. Yeah. Right. (wanders off to look at the Viper parked next to me)
What would we do without "Experts?"
"Expert" - So what engine are you running?
Me - Its a 390. A remanufactured long block.
"Expert" - Oh. Cool. Cleveland or Windsor?
Me -
Me - Uh, the 390 is an FE. You're thinking of a 351.
"Expert" - Oh. Yeah. Right. (wanders off to look at the Viper parked next to me)
What would we do without "Experts?"
Ford had two engine assembly plants back then, no FE's were assembled in Windsor, Ontario Canada.
So where's the other engine assembly plant located?
All FE engines were assembled in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,751
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From: Sin City
If someone asked you where your 390 (or any other FE engine) was originally assembled, what would be your answer?
Ford had two engine assembly plants back then, no FE's were assembled in Windsor, Ontario Canada.
So where's the other engine assembly plant located?
All FE engines were assembled in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ford had two engine assembly plants back then, no FE's were assembled in Windsor, Ontario Canada.
So where's the other engine assembly plant located?
All FE engines were assembled in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm just a dumb cluck that can read a parts catalog.
IMO, an "Expert" is someone who leafs thru one book, then think they know everything.
btw: I edit all the time, so my comments above have changed somewhat.