Interview with Tim McMaster, Y Block Guy

Tim spent a few hours during a recent visit just talking engine builds and the Y Block Ford.

More from Hanford Auto Supply & Machine

This time of year is especially busy for me as our Bible college gets going (I teach a biblical language course) and our church hosts an annual conference for church leadership that brings in thousands of people. After going at it over 15 days straight, I decided to take an afternoon off and visit my friend, Tim McMaster, up in Hanford, California at his shop aptly titled, Hanford Auto Supply. (This shop, well over 100 years old, was featured in a previous blog post here.) Tim and his wife Kathy were more than happy to host me on that Friday afternoon as I am fast-becoming a grease monkey who just shows up and has the run of the place shooting video and taking quite a few photos. Of course, Tim and Kathy are very gracious, and thankfully some of the YouTube publicity for the "Y Block Guy" has been a help to the business.

Tim has one of the Hot Rod Reverend stickers on the glass door that greets customers.

While I cannot explain exactly how I feel when I enter the shop, I will say that an overwhelming sense of belonging takes over every time I walk through the front door. I definitely feel at home when I get close to the machinist equipment, nostalgic parts, engine blocks and heads, and of course Tim's inventory of downright awesome vehicles. Thankfully, he is very accommodating and brings up good suggestions for taking photos and shooting videos. All the banter and discussion flow naturally as we both mic up, I hit the record button, and Tim points out various equipment and ongoing projects. If I had the time, I dare say that I could visit once a week and never run out of content to bring both here in the blog series and on the YouTube channel.

Upcoming blog posts and video work will include much more than what space allows in this entry, but close to the end of the day at the shop Tim and I decided to record a quick 10 minute interview on the Y Block. I asked him to give us 3 of his best tips for Y Block builds and maintenance. The Y Block Guy gave solid answers, and very quickly we were well beyond 3 suggested improvements.

Upcoming Content

Over the next several weeks you can expect more content on the 342 c.i. build (Tim and I reviewed internal parts specifications, crankshaft grinding, and other pertinent details), the 3 deuce intake manifold and Holley 94 carburetor setup on my 1955 Ford Fairlane, an update on Tim's latest run at Bonnevilee and what it will take to go over 200 mph, and more footage of Hanford Auto Supply and Machine.

More to come on the 3 deuce intake manifold setup real soon!

Lots more to come from Hanford Auto Supply next month...

The parts for the 342 c.i. build are getting closer to assembly.

How You Can Support the Website

Please visit the HotRodReverend.com online store to help keep the website free of advertisements! Thousands of people each month now visit the blog pages, and from what I can read through email, messenger, and phone calls the information is most assuredly a help to all of us. At the store, you can purchase apparel such as t-shirts, hats, and even onesies for the grandkids! We also have mugs, shop aprons, and logo clocks to hang in the garage. Each purchase you make sends a small percentage back to me to help support the website. Most often, it is the t-shirts that tend to be the most popular and come in a variety colors for both the shirt and the logo. The one pictured below has our large logo on the back.

The best deal going in the website store is the download of the digital version of the 1949-59 FoMoCo parts manuals. The main files in the download are BOTH the illustrations manual AND the part numbers manual. These files are a tremendous help to any work you are doing on a car within the model year range, as the books have thousands of part numbers and diagrams that will help you both locate and understand the arrangement of where particular pieces and parts go. Even such things as sizes of hardware and rear end ratios are given in the manuals as well. The download includes quite a few other manuals such as the 50s Ford Engine Manual, several manuals on the overdrive transmissions, and much more. Click the link to see more.

Stay FaYthful!

The Hot Rod Reverend