[SGTGTO]

I have a story like that. My first classic car. I knew this guy out in Washington state (im from michigan) that had a 72 nova for sale. $2500 bucks and it was mine, he needed the $$$. The only time I could go out there was the day after Thanksgiving. So thats a Friday. On monday, at 1:00PM my unit was mobilizing for Iraq. I COULD NOT be late. I flew out to Spokane, WA in the morning. They guy picked me up from the airport and we went to his place. I had no idea how well this car would run, seeing as it wasn't driven more than a few times in the past 10 years. We tuned the carb, changed the fluids, and filled the tires. I left at 10am the next morning. I drove from Spokane to Sundance, WY that day. About 18 hours straight, only stopping to get gas. Dropped $50 on a hotel room that I slept in for 4 hours. Sunday morning I was back on the road. 18 hours later I find myself in the Chicago area. I stop to get gas... and find the Nova will not idle. My vaccuum gauge is going crazy. I fill up and get back on the road. I had a friend in Valpo, IN that i called, I could stay at her place that night. Every time i would stop at a light, I had to keep my foot on the gas, using the brakes against the engine so the car would not die. I make it to Valpo around 4am. Needless to say, I did not sleep when I got to my friends room About 9:30am I get dressed and head to the car. I start it and use a book to hold down the accelerator so I can find out why she wont idle. My right side exhaust pulses are way off from the left. I go under the hood to check things out. In a moment of stupidity, I figure i'll touch the header to find out if all my cylinders are firing.. down goes a gloved finger to the #7... instant sizzling and smoke. Melted the tip of the glove to my finger. That one is ok! Smarter this time, I spit on the #8 header.... nothing. Time to get back on the road, 3 hours before I had to be in uniform and in formation. I make it just west of Portage (where my unit is) on 94 when i see billowing white smoke from my exhaust. JUST GREAT! 20 minutes before formation. 3 more miles to go... ah screw it.. My eyes glued to the temp gauge... just climbing... I screech into my units parking lot and shut her down. Race inside, grab my uniform literally jump into it, shave and slip into formation exactly 1 minute late. After an hour of boring speeches, i get a chance to check out the Nova. The coolant line that connects to the top of the intake.. split just above the ring clamp. Easy fix. Off to Iraq... home on leave 7 months later... I decide to find out why she won't idle. Off comes the carb, intake, and distro. My #8 intake lifter failed, bent the pushrod, and busted the spring. I spent my 2 weeks of leave getting that car running so the last night, I could take it out and cruise with my friends. The next morning I left for Iraq again.

Thats MY story, sorry its so long winded