Well, it's hunting season out here in western Virginia and I've already bagged a doe and grilled a few steaks. But, a doe ain't exactly what I hunt for during this time of year. First off, I am happily married, and second, I shoot the deer in my back yard while I stand outside my garage in my PJ's - literally.
Nope, it's open season on Y block parts this time of year with the foliage off the trees and the weeds and briars down a bit to reveal trucks and cars that hide our elusive prey. No snakes or critters to deal with in junk yards or orchards either. With Christmas coming on, more folks are ready to sell what they got to get up so money for shopping so on we go. I have scouted a few orchards around our area, and I have heard rumors of "he's got a 312" etc. That trophy Y is pretty difficult to bag.
A weekend ago, the first y block trophy hunting trip of the season to chase down a few engine cores and a transmission came up empty after being told something over the phone and then told something different after an hour and a half of travel. Dejected and disgusted, I went back home.
Where else could I look for Y block parts and goodies?
Nothing in our Valley Trader auto classifieds, high prices on ebay, etc, etc. Then I went to Craigslist... overpriced engine ($2,000 for a 292 core!), overpriced C1TE heads, blah, blah, blah.... hey wait, what is the listing of 312 motor parts with no photo shown?
Click link...
http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/pts/4103676902.html312 Ford 3 deuce intake with carbs and linkage, $100, 4 barrel Y Block intake, $25..."Yeh, right," I say to myself laughing out loud. Must be some misprints here.
So I contacted the owner. He lives only 35 minutes from me... used to race Y blocks and Flatheads he says...
"Can I come up this afternoon ya think?" I ask.
"I'll be up here feedin' the fire," he quipped. "Come on."
And when I got up there I looked at everything lying out there and he threw in an old Carter AFB carb to the mix. I held my breath and wondered how much the price would go up... we know what this stuff is worth. While I was pondering what to say next I looked down at the 3 deuce intake... "Edelbrock 5...7...3"
I look over at him and say, "Ok, how much for all of it?"
"I'll take a $100," he said dryly.
I stammered, "Wha, what?"
"Give me a $100 and it's all yours. I'm too old for this stuff anymore," he said.
"Bob, you got a deal. I mean, I got a deal," I replied as I forked over five $20 bills and shook hands with the man.
Here are the photos...
Daniel JessupLancaster, California
aka "The Hot Rod Reverend" 
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com