Phil (or anyone else interested);
started a new thread as I don't think anyone cares about this topic when they are looking into skimming an "F" head.

I am in Carson City, Nevada. Lots of similarly challenged people here but my attempts to help out always get out of hand (either they didn't want the truth, couldn't afford the fix or I frustrated the heck out of myself chasing the wrong thing). My most famous was when I did a "quick tune-up" on a Spitfire that I was just supposed to be insulating so the owner (matronly secretary in our office) didn't burn her feet.
Several very hot days later I came to find out that the reason the valves were so tight (0.003"!) was that the cam was flat and it wouldn't run any other way. When I set the buggers to "proper specs" (I think .016") there was no cam overlap whatsoever.
Last time being hyperactively helpful. I figured that if I was running a garage it would have killed my profit for the month.

Knew a cute little blonde from there when I was in college (WSU, goooooo Cougs!). What was her name.... I digress.

Still have friends in the area but I hung out mostly in the West Seattle area when I was at the Sound. (or Stevens Pass)

This place is going "cubicle" soon when we move to a new building and I'm dreading the moment as I have no idea how to do my job without a place to lay out plans.

Sigh

Oh, Volvos!

Yeah, acquired a "free" '67 122s that "needs a head rebuild... I think" that I am currently in the process of rebuilding a "fresh" B20 out of a wrecked 1800 for. Everytime I think I know what to expect this thing throws me for a loop. At least once I decided to just do the "proper" thing it has mellowed out. Trusting the PO to have done anything intellegent (past the KYB's there was nothing) has been an exercise in frustration... mostly for my wife;)

Since then I've torn apart two 122s, three 140-somethings and a couple of 240-somethings at the local pick-n-pull. Mostly junk but every nut has a lesson (and sometimes blood, but that's what axle grease is for).

Most recent problem (after the spun rod bearing in the "needs a head" b18, spat out 6-piece thrust main bearing b18, seriously recessed exhaust valve "fresh" b20, loose rear drums (now I know what THAT sounds like!), etc...) is a bent mounting bolt in the steering box that is bi-metal corroded in place. I can't apply enough heat with my dinky propane torch so I'll probably pull the sucker out, clamp it in the vice, saw off the protruding part and hammer the bejeezus out of it with a 4# and punch.

Oh, time to go...

Mike!