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Since the turn of the last century, Americans have been fascinated with cars. I’m not talking about wimpy fuel-efficient, stripped-down cars either (..considering today’s economy, however, that is changing!) What I am talking about is the American love affair with big block engines of mucle cars. Yeah you know, the cars that make a lot of noise and generate a tremendous amount of horsepower. Don’t get me wrong, the “wimpy” fuel-efficient cars of today do have their place in today’s world with the price of gasoline going higher and higher.

Even the most ardent muscle car lover can’t advocate driving very far at all in a vintage muscle car. Gas prices are sky high and there seems to be no end to it at all. More fuel-efficient cars are the story of today. In fact, even as much as I live my Camaro, I still drive a Toyota Prius to work. “It is the economy, stupid!” which was so eloquently said by Bill Clinton once. as much as we love our gas hogs, we still have to pay attention to the checkbook. The Prius gets over 60 miles per gallon, so I save a heap of money at the pump.

Saving money during the week is fine and dandy, but when the weekend comes… I am not into that. I want to have fun! I like to get in my 1968 Chevy Camaro with its powerful big block motor and go to the local car shows and races. Some people like to trat theirs with kid gloves, but I am a real man with a real plan to treat my big block like it was designed to be treated….rough! I like to let my neighbors know when I leave my driveway that I am going out to have some redneck fun for the weekend! To be behind such a powerful machine, with the horsepower & performance of that big block engine makes my adrenaline pump and my testosterone “happy”. I am like a kid on a pony! Grinning ear to ear!

I can’t help but LOVE big block engines. Especially Chevrolet big blocks! Heck, I even love big block Fords! But give me a kick butt Chevy 454 big block any day and watch me nearly cry for lack of words to describe the joy of experiencing it. In fact, one my favorite things that I love about these powerful motors from the 60’s and 70’s, of course, is the noise and the sheer horsepower. I’ll confess, I’m a typical man in this respect. Nothing is more beautiful to my ear than the growl of that big block Chevy engine of mine at full throttle! It takes me back to my teenage years squalling tires and breaking hearts! The big block engine roar is like music to my ears.

Back when I was a teen, my 68 Cararo burned rubber in my hometown like tires cost nothing. At the time, there was nothing better than to beat my buddy’s car in a James Dean style race. There were some close calls but I had so much fun! Big block engines made it happen, and they take me down memory lane to my teen years. Back then, when drive-ins played movies like Jaws, and girls were all over me every weekend, I had the time of my life!

It is so much easier for the shade tree mechanic like me to work on these big blocks of yesteryear in comparison to the computerized car motors of today. High-tech computer controlled engines are becoming the norm in today’s world, taking all the fun out of souping up a car. In fact, it is nearly impossible to work on a modern car without becoming a professional mechanic specializing in electron systems. I am serious, things are looking that way.

That, of course, is the exact reason why I love my old big block engine cars. I love to crawl under the hood and be able to do what I want to the motor. If I want to bore out the engine and add custom aftermarket parts, like the classic car grease-monkey I am, then it is very doable. Tweaking your classic muscle car to drive and sound just you want is very doable for the DIY mechanic like me.

Working on big block engines is not real expensive or very hard to do. Heck, you learn how to customize your own big block engine; you will be amazed at what all you can do. It gives you a sense of self confidence, and brings out a bit of teenage passion that makes the custom ride with a big block engine all the more enjoyable.