Joe, timing problems aside, how was the air there? The humidity here has been kind of bad, and Beaver Springs usually isn't much better from the times I've been there. And don't forget that that track is all uphill. Don't guys usually run 1-2 tenths slower there? Maybe it wasn't as bad as you think? Congrats on a PB.

Nice work Phil.  What was cut off to get into Quick 8 this year?
Was it you who said hello at Lebanon on a Wednesday night a few weeks back? I have the black on black Fairlane.
If so, I apologize for not recognizing you.

4 bolts per port Hooker Headers in a mustang.

I made it to the reunion, and somehow qualified for the quick 8. I think clutch got hurt at Lebanon but I didnt know how bad, won 1 round & then really hurt things in round 2, but it was fun

I don’t know if I have ever used any aftermarket block, other than a Shelby, that didn’t have something that I had to correct, repair, or massage someplace.  None of the iron blocks have been perfect.  I find minor things wrong with almost all of them, including the Shelbys.  They do send some that have zero issues.  I didn’t realize pipe plug depth was to be considered.  I have had BBMs with plugs too deep, and plugs too shallow.  Also, be mindful of the chamfer on the thrust main bore.  These are things that I just consider part of the job.  We pressure test all blocks, new or used, and visually inspect everything.  We fill the block with water, and then pressurize. 

I remember years ago, Doug telling me about a block that had some core shift and drill through right where you describe.  He sent me a few pictures of it.  I don’t know what ever happened to it.  It could have made it into circulation some way I suppose. 

That iron block production is not easy for any of the folks who have done it.  We should be glad to get them, and if there is no other option, we just have to fix them, if possible, no matter the brand.  The FE resurgence has been supported over the years by Dove, Shelby, Genesis, BBM, and Pond.  Currently, for different and unrelated reasons, iron blocks are scarce.  Some will come through eventually.  For my use, I will deal with the minor issues, and if a block has no major flaws, I will use them and be glad to get them, regardless of the manufacturer.  I’ve been using the various aftermarket offerings for about 30 years now, and I guess it’s been so long since I assumed anything was okay on them, we just don’t think twice, and look at everything to start with.

Sort of in response to Mr. Lykins comments………when BBM’s inventory was running low, pre Covid, and he was going to cast more, Doug came to me about updating the ports.  I was not involved in the original creation.  I made new stuff, verified it, tested it, and then sent it to him.  Fast forward through tough times everyone had making things in the early ‘20s………we have had the new castings for about 2-1/2 years.  He wanted to improve performance.  He already had great casting quality, so here we are.  We didn’t originally plan for me to distribute the heads, but we were already doing the finish work, so it just evolved into that.

This is a free country.  We can all use whatever we want to, or work with whatever the customer brings.  Sometimes folks just don’t know what they don’t know.  I see what I would call inaccurate information posted from time to time. Sometimes I post my thoughts.  Most times I read and move on.