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By Jim - 18 Years Ago
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As the ticker shows, it was four years ago this day that I posed a question on Tero's Y-Blocks Forum (Yahoo) and Bob Martin and Doug Thrasher both responded to me. It was not about a site, but about a dual 4 intake. One thing led to another and I ended up on the phone with one of them and I don't even remember which one! I asked if there was a website for Y-Blocks and was told that there really wasn't as nobody knew how to make one. By January 31 I had a domain and a website online. It was not publicized at all so that I could at least get a few profiles posted so that when it was announced, folks would actually see something. February 10 was the day that Bob announced it on the Yahoo forum.
There is a major facelift coming for the site, but the programmers that are doing the back end stuff for me have had other things on the stove so this is done as they get time. The new design will be much easier to administer and will also have a much more "commercial" look and feel. When the site was started, there was no thought that in only four years we would be knocking on the door of 150,000 visits. So it was kinda built as we went. The new site will be much better organized as I now know that the site has become a meeting place for the "Y-Guys" with Y-Blockers from every continent in the world except Africa. We have have visitors from that continent but as of today, no cars.
Thanks to the participation of EVERYONE, the site is still around and going forward. Who would have thought that we would have not one but TWO eight second Y-Blocks here in the United States? And I received pictures the other day from Finland of a twin turbo setup on a Y. I am sure that there will be much more about that after my trip over there in June! When the site first went online, I was a little disappointed that we didn't get much response from members of the Crown Victoria Association, but have come to realize that the CVA serves those that really like to keep their rides "bone stock". Most of the folks that hang out here believe that life is just too short for stock! I am very comfortable with that myself, CVA and this site fill the needs of their target audience.
What will this site be like by it's 5th birthday? Who knows? I sure don't! But I do know that we will have found even more Y-Block friends and that the "family reunion" at Columbus will be bigger and better than ever!
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By pintoplumber - 18 Years Ago
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Congratulations on your anniversary, Jim. I sure appreciate the website.
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By speedpro56 - 18 Years Ago
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Great!!! Job Jim, and a BIG THANKS for giving us a place to share and learn about our favorite engine and just hang out.
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By MoonShadow - 18 Years Ago
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Between this site and the "gang" at Colombus the Y-Block world is looking pretty rosy! Thanks Jim!
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago
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Jim: What can I say but THANKS!!!!!!? John
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 18 Years Ago
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Congrats Jim and a big thank you to ALL who involved in keeping this site going. That includes the members (even the Aussies  ) for Jim layed down the foundation and the "Y" family is what makes it great! By the way Jim, by reading the banner, I think you are a wannabe Canadian.............. "EH!"  Rob
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By Glen Henderson - 18 Years Ago
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Thanks Jim and to everone else who contributes to the site. I am sure that I would be out looking for FE or small block Ford info and parts now if I had not stumbled upon the site over three years ago. The great thing is that it is bringing in some young blood that hopefully with continue the movement, who knows what some of these young minds might come up with?
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By pegleg - 18 Years Ago
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Jimmy, Congrats to you, and all the folks who keep this alive. I would never have believed that it would have grown this big. Also a word to everyone about The John Mummerts, John Feistritzers,Bob Martins and Ted Eatons who carried the torch for decades when there was no interest, by anybody, in Y blocks. We would not be here without their enthusiasm and dedication. Salute!! Frank/ Rebop
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By Ted - 18 Years Ago
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Jim, Hard to believe its already been four years. Again, much thanks for giving us all a site to hang out at.
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By Eddie Paskey - 18 Years Ago
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Hey Jim; Many thanks to you and for KEEPIN"_ON. sure appreciate the time and talent to make this site soooo great!!! Also thanks to everyone that share their knowledge and fun. Again Many thanks Eddie
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By Tom Compton - 18 Years Ago
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www.y-blocksforever is one of the don't miss things I do on the web. I also check the weather and follow my IRA with out fail. I look at other Y related sites often but this is THE first and if time is short, the only. TC
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By Jim - 18 Years Ago
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Hmm, lots of nice words but really, you guys need to be thanking yourselves! Without all of the participation, the site would be nothing. I truly believe that the forum area of the site is really the lifeblood. The rest is just "windows dressing". In life, each of us does what he knows how to do, I don't hold a candle to guys like "Doc" Eaton, he takes pity on this ol dummy and between he and Wayne Gillin (who will make the pilgrimage to Columbus with me this year), I would probably still be drag racing Volkswagens!
Just because I got the domain and such, it really isn't just my site. It is every bit as much a site that each and every one of you are owners of. Somebody has to be the janitor of the joint and that is my specialty.
On another thought, have you guys noticed that we have NEVER had a flame war here? Ask anyone who frequents the FE forum, they have em there a lot. I'm not saying that those guys are a bunch of quarrelling kids, but the fact that things are handled in a good way here says volumes for all of you. And it is just gonna get better!
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By PWH42 - 18 Years Ago
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I'd like to add my Thanks to the originator and everyone else involved that have made this a great place to interact with other old Ford lovers(make that lovers of old Fords,as some on here are not so old).I've been a fan of Y-blocks since I heard the first one with glasspacks.That was in 1955,and it's still the best sound I've ever heard from any kind of machine. One comment,Jim,about the CVA.I've been a member for about fifteen years and you are partially correct in your assessment of the membership.Many of them are fanatics about keeping their cars just as they came from the factory,but there are also a lot of us that have them modified to one degree or another.There are some real racers and some highly customized cars in the CVA.My brother-in-law has been a member for many years and is continually changing his 56 Customline Victoria to suit his tastes(bored,balanced,approximately 320 horse 312 with a 5 speed tranny)and Mustang front end,9 inch locker.As soon as I figure out how,I'll send you pictures of my mildly customized 56. Thanks again for all your great work here on this site!!!!!!
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By Gerry - 18 Years Ago
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Jim a big THANKS to you, this site is great. Had it not been for the help I get here I was looking for a more modern Ford power plant. I didn't know the Y could be resurected, Thanks to you and all here for the help and friendship that Ford people seem to have no problem passing around. "Gerry"
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By Jim - 18 Years Ago
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You guys really have no idea as to how important Bob Martin, Ted Eaton, Chuck Cline, Doug Thrasher, Frank Rice, John Feistritzer and even Lon and Rob have been to the success of this endevour! When this site first began, it was these guys (and I know I am forgetting more names) that were on the forums checking for any "newbies" that might have a question. They and several others hung in there when we didn't have but a few hundred hits and believed it would work. They wuz right!
Bob sent me tons of pictures and profiles so that we could actually have something to show on here. Ted Eaton, well, what can I say but that he is my right arm with the forums! He is the co-admin for the forums and it really is nice to have the weight on two sets of shoulders instead of just one. And I don't mind bragging, he is only about 75 miles south of my driveway so I get to go with him to Lonnie's machine shop fairly regularly. You guys would love some of the stories from there!!!!!
Off to the sleeping mat, have a 5 am meeting with Finland!
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By charliemccraney - 18 Years Ago
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Yes, Thanks to everyone who has made this site possible. I've learned a lot.
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By EVLowe - 18 Years Ago
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Thanks for all your efforts. Without this site I wouldn't be running today. Thanks again,
Ed
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By yfreak57 - 18 Years Ago
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Congrats to the site on it's birthday. Without this site we wouldn't ever met, Jim! Welcome to Finland on June 1st, Hullu Amerikkalainen!
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