The 69 Diary- Chapter 15

Jase, Kat and two doggies arrived back in Jersey safely. Icebox was a wonderful traveler and we made him a home in my dining room. It was good to see all 4 of the travelers, but it was hard to tell them I couldn't receive hugs. I knew I had to tell them what was going on. Jase was sympathetic but quiet, and the boob kept swelling. I called another specialist on the 24th, since I couldn't wait any longer and he agreed to see me that afternoon. I didn't tell Sam or Jase I was leaving work early to go. The doctor gave me the option of being admitted to the hospital immediately to wait for an available operating room or to allow him to do the surgical procedure in his office without the anesthesia. I opted for the in-office procedure, since I couldn't see abandoning Jase or Sam without advance notice. By the time I was able to drive and stopped at the pharmacy for the painkillers, I arrived home about normal time and had to explain everything. I curled up on the couch, took my painkillers and was good for nothing for several days.

In the meantime, Jase was working on the ladderbar and providing a frame for the engine. Kat was constantly over, lending a hand. For the first time, I couldn't really keep up with what was going on with the car, but as the days went on, I knew they were getting close to starting the engine.

They chose Saturday, May 4th as the big day!

That morning I went to visit all the neighbors (not that there are many around that time of year), but I had been warned that starting with open headers would be loud. I was trying to be considerate and no one had any objections.

Once the engine was settled in it's cradle, I was sent to the hardware store for some washers - a rouse to get me out of the way to see if it would turn over.

The gas was supplied by a red gas can and we had purchased a cheap set of gauges. The radiator was filled and the hose was ready, just in case. The battery was temprarily gooked up as was a remote starter. Everything was double and triple checked. The carb was primed. Jase pressed the starter and it turned right over and fired up!

My role was to take pictures - I didn't feel capable of much else. I set up the video camera on the desk. ThirdgenZ28 (Mike) was here and volunteered to turn the video into something that could be viewed online! My neighbor, Fran, who used to run 350's in race boats, was also on hand!

The engine roared - until the carb ran out of gas. A few more tried and it was determined the mechanical fuel pump wasn't working. I made a quick trip to Pep Boys to get a cheap electrical fuel pump. .

With the new pump, the carb was primed again and the engine was thunderous! I took pics and grabbed my cell phone - hiding in the bathroom, I was still screaming so Mac could here me over the engine running outside! I also called James in California and Sam at work!

My favorite picture from that day =====>

As the sun started to go down, we put the engine to bed for the night and decided to celebrate. Kat, Jase, & I headed to Charlie Brown's, where I got a bottle of champagne! The empty bottle still sits in my kitchen window, with flowers from a pink bonnet. The engine running, like a champ, on the first try was the best birthday present I could have dreamed of!