Hi all,

I've taken the first step to replace the 272 in my Parklane. Jerry Christenson was willing to part with a standard bore 292 - here he is after we loaded the block on the trailer on a winter-like day last Friday:



Boy am I glad Jerry is willing to advise me! I cold called him a couple of years ago when several people suggested that he is the local guru on y-blocks. He tore down the engine and had it atop an oil pan he modified so it sits nice and flat.

I've been accumulating some parts for a while:



On the left are mismatched heads, a 113 and an unposted G. On the right under plastic is a set of rebuilt G heads. Jerry wasn't too impressed with the rebuilt ones, so he is going to find a head to match one of the two on the left and port the set for me. R&R Performance in Spring Lake Park, MN will do the head work for me.

The crank is from a 312 that I found for $50 (!) that I will use in the rebuild. Jerry and I are talking about stroking the engine - would be nice to stroke it in a fashion where I can use standard connecting rods.

I brought the block to Les of Lester Prairie Engines in Lester Prairie, MN, about an hour west of my home in Minneapolis. I wonder if the town was named after Les?





Les has been in the business for 49 years. The adjacent business is Berry Cam which is run by his brother in law. The two of them married sisters - their father started the businesses. I will post some pics of the two shops in my next post.

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN