The All New BDL

This past Wednesday night was the re-grand opening of Big Daddy Leather (BDL) after my Dad purchased it a month ago. The store was closed Sunday through Tuesday for remodeling and reopened on Wednesday.

Sunday Morning I got to the store just before 8 AM to offer a helping hand. It didn’t take long before the improvements were noticeable. The store’s layout previously was less than adequate if you had any more than about 10 customers at one time. It was chaotic with no rhyme or reason as to why stuff was where it was. After putting in nine hours on Sunday I had to call it a day. I was anxious to see the improvements at Bike Night Wednesday night.

Wednesday night came and I was not disappointed. The store looked great. A million times better than before. It truly lets customers know that this is a whole new BDL. Everything was organized, opened up, repainted and did not look like a store that had been there for five years.

A good friend of my Dad’s built a beautiful new counter, put wood paneling accents along the bottom of the wall, and built custom boxes to hold cleaning supplies and hand on garage or trailer walls. It was a whole new store.

Even though it was a little chilly out Wednesday some dedicated rider brought their bikes. I counted about 20 motorcycles at one point and every bit of fifty people. The best part was at one point everyone was inside the store and you could still move around the store.

I listened to what some people were saying and not one comment was bad. All pretty much agreed that all the improvements were much needed and the store had changed for the better. I even had my ego stroked a bit with customers saying how much they liked the new logo, since I’m the one that designed it, it was nice to hear some unbiased feedback.

“Bike Night in the Burg” happens every Wednesday night all year long. People start showing up around 5 and leave around 8. If you’re looking for something to do you should come on out.

Heart Transplant

If you’ve been following my blog then you know all about the engine issues I’ve been having with Big Secz. This has been a very frustrating summer. I’ve missed several events that I would like to have gone to due to fearing I’d break down along the way. Recently things got worse. Now instead of just and engine tap, I have a knock to go with it. As if that wasn’t enough she’s blowing grey smoke and the engine vibrates terribly.

For the past couple months I’ve been talking to different people and exploring my options. Everything from attempting to fix the problem, rebuilding the engine, or buying a create engine has been explored and discussed. Each comes with their own set of pros and cons. Of course the downside to talking to a bunch of people is that you get a bunch of different opinions, “well if it were me this is what I’d do”.

The first option, fixing the problems, can’t really be accomplished without tearing into the engine. I’ve received opinions ranging from bad lifters to a piston slap. Still if I replace the lifters there is no guarantee that will fix the problem, and in order to tell if there is a bad piston you still have to tear deep into the engine. So this really wasn’t a viable option due to the amount of work and not knowing what the end result would be. I think by going this route I would be fixing the symptoms and not really fixing the problem, and like everyone knows your engine is only as strong as your weakest link.

This brings me to my next option, rebuilding my engine. Since the engine that is currently in the car is the original numbers matching engine, I was really leaning toward this option. I’ve priced this job out with several local shops and they all quoted me roughly the same price, and that was with replacing it with stock-type components. Knowing that if I was going to rebuild the engine, I’d want to upgrade some of it’s components to improve reliability. This isn’t the type of project you want to face again any time soon.

Now that brings me to the option of buying a crate engine. In comparing the pros and cons against rebuilding my existing engine, I chose this option. Here’s why; I can get a crate engine cheaper than having mine rebuilt. The money that I save by going this route allows me to get better than stock parts which will improve reliability. In addition I can get improved performance. Upon the recommendation of someone that knows the owner, I contacted AA Speed in Woodbridge , VA and spoke to the owner, a real nice guy by the name of, Dan.

Dan called me this past Friday and we spoke for a while about these options. Dan emphasized that “it’s not about what anyone else wants it’s about what you want”. He started explaining to me what I would be looking at by rebuilding as opposed to buying a crate. Finally I asked him, “if this were your car what would you do?” He told me that he has a ’66 Nova with a numbers matching engine and he opted to keep that engine but drop in a crate. He said this gives you more flexibility when/if I ever sell it. The buyer will not only have a good performance engine, but the original as well which allows for different restoration options; go back to original or keep it a restomod.

We then talked about the crate option. This appealed to me the most. Dan explained that we can not only improve performance, but increase reliability, and save a few dollars. So then next question then was, “what type of crate?”

Choosing the type of crate engine as well as the components depends on my intended use. I have no desire to hit the track, burn tires, or flex my muscle at stoplights. I’m looking for something with a little more horsepower and reliable. I want to be able to start her up and go on a cruise confident that she won’t leave me stranded. Occasionally that will mean taking her on the interstate.

Dan suggested that I go with a 347 stroker. He’s had a lot of success with these in the past and has used several crates from Proformance Engines. From there he will reuse my Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley 600 cfm carb and MSD billet distributor. He explained that it’s good that I have these parts since that’s what he would have put on it anyway. This Friday I’m going to meet him and talk about details. So after Friday I will be able to post some specs.

Now with a new engine I face a similar dilemma when it comes to my transmission. I’m starting to have a few issues with my transmission so after pricing that out I’ve discovered that it would be worth a couple hundred more dollars and drop in a new transmission.

So hopefully by the end of November Big Secz will be ready to stampede down the highway. To be continued…

Winds of Change

The wind we experienced this past week I think had less to do with the weather and was contributed more so to the collective sigh of bikers from the Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania area.

A few weeks ago local bikers learned that their favorite Wednesday night hang-out spot, Big Daddy Leather, was up for sale. This tight niche group of bikers was left to worry about who the potentially new owners would be. Bikers all over the area had their fingers crossed that the new owners would be someone from within their close circle. Their wish came true. Late last week my father purchased the store. I don’t know who’s happier, the bikers or my father.


Big Daddy Leather (BDL) was established in 2004 starting from a roadside stand and moving into retail space located in downtown Fredericksburg. BDL has established itself in the biker community as the go-to shop for their bike accessory and leather bike-wear needs. For the past few years BDL is known in the local community for their contributions to charities. Some of the most notable charitable events are the ChildHelp Toy Run, Some Gave All Memorial Ride, and Locks of Love.


The Locks of Love charity consist of bikers cutting their ponytails and donating the hair which is then used to make wigs for cancer patients. The Some Gave All Memorial Ride is in memory of the sons of two bikers that were killed in the Iraq war. These events and their weekly Wednesday night bike night, which had a record turn-out of 168 bikes last year, were all in jeopardy depending on if the new owners would keep them going.

This past Wednesday night at bike night when the announcement was made that my father and his wife, members of this biker fraternity, purchased the business they were greeted with congratulatory cheers of relief.

My only regret now is that I don’t have a bike so I can’t contribute. I told him after he told me that he purchased BDL, “Damn, why couldn’t you have purchased a Mustang parts store.” In all seriousness I whish him the best of luck and he knows that I’m always here to help out in anyway I can for this to be a continued and growing success.

So if you know anyone with a bike or in need of bike accessories send them to:

Big Daddy Leather
http://bigdaddyleather.com/news.php
1900 Princess Anne St
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: 540-899-0048

Till Death Do We Part…

One thing I have learned after attending a few local car shows and cruise-ins is that it is nearly impossible to know everyone by name, but in fact it is more likely you know them by their car. Some cars you can see at nearly every show and cruise-in and you know them as regulars. This makes cars you have never seen before more prominent.

One car in particular that was a regular at shows and cruise-ins and always stuck out was a teal colored VW Baja Bug. Beautiful metallic teal paint and snow white interior, this car was always immaculate and a beautiful example of lovingly restored automobile. I never had the pleasure of meeting the owner but I knew him by face and by his car. No matter what show I attended the license plate “POPS VW” and the inscription under the hood “Till Death Do We Part” was the trademarks of Harold “Pop” Wilson’s car.

On September 17, 2009, Pop Wilson succumbed to his battle with cancer with his wife, Sue by his side. Sue is the president of the Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club. Pop and Sue are perfect examples of what it is to be an enthusiast with immense time and devotion given to the hobby and to their cars.

As I learned of Pop’s passing I couldn’t help but to think of what it will be like to attend a show and not see Pop’s VW, or see the VW and not Pop. Either way it will be hard to ignore the fact that something is missing from the show or cruise-in.

One can only find comfort in thinking that Pop is in a better place riding around in his VW. Here on Earth as we gaze in admiration at Pop’s VW although Pop may be gone he has left a piece of himself behind for everyone to enjoy. As we read the transcription under his hood that at one time had a comical undertone, now takes on a more serious meaning. The reality that we can only enjoy these precious gems for our limited time we have here on earth. But yet we can leave them behind for others to continue to enjoy long after we are gone.

RIP, Harold “Pop” Wilson.

If it were a real horse…I’d shoot it…

I’m beginning to think I’m cursed. After fixing the starting, stalling, and running hot issues she’s still tapping. I took her to B&R and got her exhaust leak squared away but she still taps badly when she gets above 30 miles per hour. As if that were not enough the transmission is acting up. My first quote for taking care of the transmission was $1,100-$1,200.

So will ALL the great news I decided to say the hell with it and take Big Secz to Fredericksburg Friday night to meet up with the Stangs and Fangs club for their weekly cruise. Everyone I met was great. Good group of friendly people. There were over 30 Mustangs that came out all but two were 90’s or newer. I had the oldest mustang there until one guy pulled up in his ’66 coupe dragster.

I got a lot of compliments on Big Secz and she drew a lot of attention, especially because for the first two hours I had the only classic there. Two that caught my eye were Brian’s yellow tricked out GT complete with supercharger, Xbox and Lambo doors.








Another one well worth mentioning is Dave’s GT with an unbelievable paint job. The detail work under the hood was unbelievable. I like the horse heads in place of the stars, a nice touch.





Saturday night the wife and I dropped the top, enjoyed a good dinner out sans kids, and headed on over to Bruster’s Ice Cream for the Stafford Classics weekly cruise. It was a great night. We got to chat with some really good people. I look forward to seeing Bobby and Nina at future cruises. Bobby has a ’71 Ford F150 with a 302 that would stand up to just about any big block.

I met a guy, Nick, who brought his ’65 Shelby GT 350, and as I told him my issues with Big Secz he recommended that I call A-1 Speed and Customs in Fredericksburg. He’s about the third person to recommend them. So I think I’m going to give them a call next week to get their take on what my issues could be. It seems like just as one thing gets fixed something else pops up.

On the Road Again

It looks like I’m getting closer to having Big Secz all sorted out. I picked her up from Jimmy Graves shop last Wednesday. Jimmy installed an MSD billet distributor, MSD coil, new starter solenoid, plug wires, replaced spark plugs, new fuel line and new fuel filter.

On the way home from Jimmy’s shop I noticed the temperature starting to rise. By the time I parked her in front of my house she was spitting antifreeze out of the overflow and the temp gauge was pegged.

I put in a call to Olaf and we discussed some options. Olaf remembered that when he installed my new intake that my radiator was looking pretty bad. He ran a thermal test on it and noticed an inconsistency in temp toward the left side. I decided that now was probably the time to upgrade to a bigger radiator. I also remembered that also installed a 160 thermostat and in my searches online and other people I talked to they suggested that I should bump it up to a 180 thermostat.

So I placed an order with my favorite distributor, Virginia Classic Mustang, on Thursday and the parts were delivered to Olaf Friday morning. We had made arrangements to install the new radiator and thermostat at Olaf’s shop in Fredericksburg Saturday morning.

Olaf was going to meet me at his shop at 10am but I knew I needed to get there earlier in order for the car to cool down enough for us to work on her. So early Saturday morning I made a break for it down 95 with the heater blasting praying that she wouldn’t overheat. Sure enough just as I put her in park at Olaf’s shop she was spitting antifreeze again.

Olaf showed up right on time and we didn’t waste any time getting a start on her. Olaf handed me the brackets and a few other pieces of his for other cars and pointed me to his blasting cabinet as he said, “I’m gonna put you to work.” No problem with me. I hate to stand around and watch and not feel somewhat useful, I have no problems getting my hands dirty. As I blasted the parts his brother in-law, Steve, painted them.

As we took a short break and waited for the parts to dry I looked over the ’69 Mach 1 they had on a rotisserie that was one of their current projects. Shortly after the parts dried it was done.

The good news is she runs cool now. I took her for a pretty long ride Sunday and the temp gauge only reached the halfway at its hottest, which was by the time I got home. I’m satisfied considering I couldn’t driver her before for more than 20 minutes. The bad news is, my exhaust leak has gotten worse so I’ve scheduled an appointment with B&R to take car of that.

The following video is a cold start, much better than she was before.


The following video is at idle.

The Happy Dance

Finally, some good news. It looks like Big Secz may be coming home real soon. I took a ride to Jimmy’s shop today to see how the progress was going. They had the new MSD distributor installed and I noticed my fairly new, only a few months old, Petronix ignition coil was disconnected and a much older one connected instead. The mechanic told me that my coil was bad. Now that really chaps my ass. I just purchased the Petronix Ignitor II ignition and the Petronix Flame Thrower II coil and neither one of them were worth a damn. Oh well, now back to the good news.

A few minutes later Jimmy walked up with a brand new MSD coil. The mechanic hooked it up and started her up. First thing out of the mechanic’s mouth, “I don’t think she’s ever run this good.” I listened intently for any engine noises, other than an exhaust leak that I already knew about, there was nothing. She was running great. The mechanic picked up the timing gun, “Damn, she’s almost perfect,” then with a quick adjustment to the distributor and the curb idle speed screw on the carb and she was done.

I asked the mechanic what was wrong with her and he told me he thinks it was a combination of the bad distributor, bad coil, and my carb settings being all boogered up that was giving me problems. As for the tapping, well naturally it wasn’t doing it anymore. Their explanation was that if it should be doing it all the time if it were the lifters. They believe all the other issues created a dead cylinder which was explained to me can cause a similar noise.

Alas with all good news there are always some bad. The mechanic told me that my ignition switch was bad. The car would start but you couldn’t turn the car off. Now with any other Mustang this would be as simple as picking up the phone and calling Virginia Classic Mustang or any other parts supplier and ordering one, but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not with a 1970. Are you kidding me! They only made this ignition switch for one year for the Mustang and no one makes them. I called Virginia Classic Mustang and was informed the only way you are going to find one is on another Mustang.

My first call was to Olaf, knowing that he has a few 1970’s, but I got his voice mail. Then I called about ten junkyards and one a nasty toned lady said, “Yeah I think I got a 70 sitting out here”. So off I go trying to get there before they close. As I drove up the half-mile dirt “road”, I use that term loosely for if I had not had a four wheel drive I wouldn’t have been able to make it, completely lined with junk cars wedged between ever tree and available nook and cranny. Finally arriving at their “office”, a junk trailer, the nasty lady on the phone point to an area and said “If I got it, it’s over there somewhere.” As fought my way through forest of cars and trees, spiders and poison ivy I noticed quickly that the only Mustang in that general vicinity was an ’83. If there ever was a car’s version of hell, this place was it.

Olaf had called me back, it just so happens that he had a 70 Mach 1 that he was going to restore but just recently decided against it and he’d give me the ignition switch off that one. Now you know you are a die-hard Mustang guy if you have spare parts like that available. Luckily his shop was not too far away from the crap yard that I was at and Jimmy’s shop isn’t far from Olaf’s. So Olaf pulled through in a clutch and I was able to get the switch dropped off to Jimmy. With any luck I may be able to pick her up Friday. Fingers crossed.