Hello all,
My name is Doug Smith. I've been lurking on here since Jay started the sight, but just now coming out of the closet...so to speak
You could say I'm a refugee from another sight where people aren't so polite. It got old and I got out after being a member since its beginning.
Never said much about my background, but my Dad worked at the Lima engine plant for 30 years and was a die-hard Ford man. I grew up with 10 acres, over 100 Fords, in my back yard. No, it wasn't a junk yard, he just bought every old Ford he came across. Had almost every year from 1935 to 1970 (with a couple of Model As in the mix)....obviously with several of certain years and styles. Mercs, Comets, Falcons, trucks, Galaxies, COEs....you name it, it was there. I can't possibly think of a better way to grow up. I was really blessed with a great Dad.
I started helping my Dad rebuilding engines and working on cars when I was old enough to walk out into the garage. He started me out by cleaning parts etc. and eventually I got to the point as a teenager where he would let me do most of the work. It was always flatheads then, and my love for flatheads has never wavered. In fact I'll be starting on a super clean '53 F100 here this year. Going to do a fifties style mild custom with a Merc stroker engine, finned heads and dual Strombergs. Next to the FE, nothing looks as cool as a dressed flathead!
But as I grew up, my passion for performance led me to the FE, and that is where my heart lies. I've currently got 3 FE powered vehicles that I drive, a '68 F250 4wd Highboy with a mild 390 out of a '64 Merc, a stock (for now) 390 in a '65 Galaxie, and my dream car that I bought when I was 15.....a 1969 R-code Mach 1 with a complete 427 SO Medium Riser with dual 4 intake. It's factory iron with unported MR heads, and a std. bore block and steel crank. Built just the way Ford built it back in the day. The car is my version of what a factory 427 Mustang should have been if Ford had actually built one. And a 4-spd of COURSE!
My Dad let me buy it when I was 15 by wiping out my bank account (all $250 of it..haha) and I paid cash. Yes, I paid $250 for a rust free R-code...minus engine. Things were much cheaper then! My first car purchase, and one I will pass on to my son. My Dad is an awesome man and I owe him more than I could ever say!
Currently I am the only mechanic on grounds at a private university. I have over 50 vehicles and over 50 pieces of large equipment that I work on and take care of. Anything from weed eaters to big JD tractors. And yes, it's too much for one person, but it is what it is and I like the varied work I do. Boring is NOT a word to describe it...lol
Anyway, I am very happy to be a member of this forum and I hope that I can occasionally contribute and help people in at least a small way. I do love all Fords (and all cool cars in general) and the FE in particular.
Good health to all.
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