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I know. Your first question is what do big block oil pans have to do with retirement? Well, nothing actually, but I wanted to have a "technical element" to this post, and I wanted to "kill 2 birds with one stone".
First, the oil pan issue. Recently, I saw a beat up, dented old Corvette big block oil pan sell on eBay for $227.50. This oil pan was, reportedly, a 1968 era SERVICE oil pan which had been installed on a mid year big block and used thusly for 30 years, or so. It had the corner reinforcements, but lacked the hole in the front oil pan seal surface used for the pan-to-timing cover bolt. Why anyone would pay this much money for this oil pan is beyond me. To me, the pan was junk; I would not have paid a dollar for it.
The currently available GM SERVICE oil pan for 1965-74 Corvette applications, GM #14091356, is identical to the above-referenced oil pan except for 3 things. First, it does not have the corner reinforcements used on all pre-1970 Corvette oil pans. These can be purchased seperately in reproduction and added to the pan. Once installed, whether spot-welded like original or not, NO ONE will be able to tell the difference. Second, the 14091356 oil pan is supplied painted black, inside and out. No problem here, either---the black can serve as a primer and be painted over Chevy orange. NO ONE will know the difference. Last, the pan is supplied as a KIT with the crankcase baffle plate. So, you get a FREE baffle. You can choose to use it or not. The 14091356 oil pan can be purchased for about $120 BRAND NEW. So, why would anyone pay $227.50 for a beat up, used, junk oil pan? BEATS ME!
Now for the retirement matter. I've decided to retire after a career of 32-1/2 years. December 27 will be my final day in the office. My retirement dinner is scheduled for January 31, 2003 from 6 to 11 PM in the evening. It will be held at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, CA. For those that don't know, the Blackhawk Museum is one of the finest, most beautiful, and prestigious automotive museums in the world, is operated by the University of California and is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. All of my "Corvette World Associates" are welcome to attend if they can be in the area at that time. For further information if you're interested in attending, you can e-mail my administrative assistant at joesretirement@yahoo.com. Leave an e-mail address and/or a mailing address and she'll send you a copy of the announcement with further info.
By the way, IF my 69 "ZL-1" is completed by that time (NO promises, though), it will be on display in the museum that evening.
First, the oil pan issue. Recently, I saw a beat up, dented old Corvette big block oil pan sell on eBay for $227.50. This oil pan was, reportedly, a 1968 era SERVICE oil pan which had been installed on a mid year big block and used thusly for 30 years, or so. It had the corner reinforcements, but lacked the hole in the front oil pan seal surface used for the pan-to-timing cover bolt. Why anyone would pay this much money for this oil pan is beyond me. To me, the pan was junk; I would not have paid a dollar for it.
The currently available GM SERVICE oil pan for 1965-74 Corvette applications, GM #14091356, is identical to the above-referenced oil pan except for 3 things. First, it does not have the corner reinforcements used on all pre-1970 Corvette oil pans. These can be purchased seperately in reproduction and added to the pan. Once installed, whether spot-welded like original or not, NO ONE will be able to tell the difference. Second, the 14091356 oil pan is supplied painted black, inside and out. No problem here, either---the black can serve as a primer and be painted over Chevy orange. NO ONE will know the difference. Last, the pan is supplied as a KIT with the crankcase baffle plate. So, you get a FREE baffle. You can choose to use it or not. The 14091356 oil pan can be purchased for about $120 BRAND NEW. So, why would anyone pay $227.50 for a beat up, used, junk oil pan? BEATS ME!
Now for the retirement matter. I've decided to retire after a career of 32-1/2 years. December 27 will be my final day in the office. My retirement dinner is scheduled for January 31, 2003 from 6 to 11 PM in the evening. It will be held at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, CA. For those that don't know, the Blackhawk Museum is one of the finest, most beautiful, and prestigious automotive museums in the world, is operated by the University of California and is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. All of my "Corvette World Associates" are welcome to attend if they can be in the area at that time. For further information if you're interested in attending, you can e-mail my administrative assistant at joesretirement@yahoo.com. Leave an e-mail address and/or a mailing address and she'll send you a copy of the announcement with further info.
By the way, IF my 69 "ZL-1" is completed by that time (NO promises, though), it will be on display in the museum that evening.
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