[glhs#116]

I just can't believe that on page 70 we are finally done on this!! I do feel for Joe's obvious frustrations in this especially since it has been his introduction to the hobby. But I've got to say that Paul has been a stand-up guy in my dealings with him and seems to be standing to it now. I only had a crank done by him but when his supplier packed the bearings poorly and they got marked up in transit Paul replaced them without me asking and without charge to me. I'd have Paul build anything for me.

And that's the other thing.

Here I am on the arse end of the planet doing my own work in the worst conditions. A lot of "big" builders wouldn't even want to touch being involved with me and my living room engine build. Paul put up with piston and rod weight measurements that were done by me in the most unorthodox fashion. He put up with a customer who would never make him much money, was guaranteed to be difficult logistically to deal with, and who could only ever represent a risk to his reputation when I go and screw up something in the build and blame him (potentially).

Paul took it on, anyway. He treated my piddly job with enough seriousness and priority to get it done amongst all the other deadlines. Again, a lot of "bigshot" builders might have buried a piddly job like mine for a year or more. Every time I chased him (though I tend to be polite) he wasn't offended. I really can't say enough good about my dealings with him.

There are a large number of people here that have offered essential and helpful advice and information but there are literally two guys without whom I would not be driving now. Those are Paul and Jay (with a special mention to Cliff who has always helped everyone here for as long as I can remember).

Sam