https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/early-nhra-gasser-star-indy-winner-ohio-george-montgomery-passes-away

My wife pointed this out to me. Sad to see another legend pass away. He was a great figure at the Reunions and always had great stories. I'm glad I had the opportunity to have him sign my original Ohio George models.

Don't discount the current economy for a lack of attendance. Since the "great lockdown", which really screwed the whole world, gas prices are higher, lodging is higher, food is MUCH more expensive, and people generally have tightened their belts. Compared to just 3 years ago, it would cost hundreds more for the typical longer distance traveler, especially accounting for fuel when making the haul with a truck/trailer combo.

I can't make it for the 4th year in a row now. Just too much going on, and the extra expense is by no means a light matter to me.

If you used the online calculator for USPS, forget what the quote was. Go to a postal office and get a direct quote. Their online calculator is wonky at best, and unusable at worst.

I've sent several items overseas over the past year, and like the others said, USPS was by FAR cheaper than anyone else. UPS was just off the chart expensive, and I was actually surprised how cheap the postal service was. As an example, I sent 5 tachometers to Germany for about $35, which seemed fairly reasonable given the current situation. The weight is a big factor, so not sure how much that played into what you got back. I would ditch the wooden box and use a sturdy cardboard box with good polystyrene or foam protection inside. You're just doubling the price with the added weight.

Has it always been this way? Any possibility that one or both head gaskets were installed backwards, not allowing water to flow through the rear of the engine? Just a thought.

I'll add that, to my understanding, that bypass is there to keep the pump from building too much pressure before the thermostat opens. Probably not a good idea to just plug it unless some sort of adjustable regulator is used, that allows coolant to flow at all times. Also, some of those "high efficiency" cores are just a bunch of added tubes, which can actually impede airflow through the radiator to the point that heat transfer can't take place as it should. Not saying that is the issue, but it has been a known problem with some. I'd follow Gerry's advice and track down the issue with careful temp readings, although that can be a challenge since it's happening at speed. One more thing....do you have a shroud?

Is it a Genesis or a SOG block (Side Oiler Garage). Same guy, but different casting runs. Both had some casting issues.

On my SOG block, it had a rather severe casting/drilling flaw on the main feed from the oil pump passage that leads to the filter pad. It also had 2 small pinholes in the lifter valley, one on each side of the valley walls. It never would have been found if Blair hadn't pressure tested it (a lesson to be learned there). The pinholes would have led to water in the oil, so that is not your issue.

Unfortunately, like Brent mentioned, the typical culprit is the oil feeds to the deck. It's one of the few places where oil under pressure can enter into the water chamber. Even worse, it requires a complete teardown to find and fix. There's a small chance it could be at the head gasket, where the transfer slot travels somewhat close to a water port. A careful disassembly of the top end should show signs of that, if that's the culprit, which would be a best case scenario. As all things in life, hope for the best, expect the worse. Good luck.

Looks to be a pretty stout piece. I'm curious what the deal is with the valley vents, why they have an inner tube? At first I thought they looked like 44 Magnum bullets..lol

Nice shop and shop cat, by the way. I've got 3 identical white ones.

I suspect it is a common view that if you are in business you are actively trying to sell stuff.

Yes, I would say that is a somewhat common view...that a business would try to sell their product...lol
I get what you're saying though. He's obviously having fun doing what he does. More power to him.