454Monte.com

Hey! What happened to the Monte you ask?

Well like they say in the drama queen circles…It’s complicated !

I’ve just returned from TN, and after a lot of running around, back and forth with parts, talking to various shops, the Monte project is once again moving forward.

After a stall because of problems with the shop I was dealing with, I had brought the car home, and then wound up having to bring it it to yet another shop, due to shoddy work, it is now undergoing both rear and front suspension modifications as well as the needed electrical work.

4 months of wasted time and effort!! Needless to say that particular shop I was using is no longer touching any of my cars. I don’t know what happened, they had done some great work for me in the past, then suddenly they just got all sloppy. I wont call them out on a public forum here, but I hope they are not treating other customers as shabbily as they did me. Especially in light of the fact I have spent quite a good chunk of money with them!

I’m hopeful that this new shop I’ve picked will get the work done I asked, they have sworn they can handle it and they even cut me a deal on labor to get my business, So we shall see.

The 496 Stroker build is also moving forward once again, A machine shop in Middlesboro KY has the heads, rotating assembly, intake, and the hunt is on for a 4 bolt 454 block.

The LS-6 Heads are being treated to a 3 angle valve job and port / polish, and being matched to the intake ports for a better air / fuel flow. The motor should come out (we hope) by December, right now it is just a matter of finding the proper 4 bolt block I want to use, the 454 I have currently is earmarked for ….another project.Yes, I have a mental condition, it called “gofastittus” Sadly there is no cure.

Reflecting back on 2009 It’s been a frustrating year for the 454Monte project, lots of set backs and lots of wasted time, but happily, the project is moving forward again and with luck the car should be road ready by spring.

So the saga continues…Hopefully I can provide updates and the such here more frequently now…stay tuned!

~Greg~