Projects Gene (Moonlighter) Cromer's A/G Willys Resurrection

The only reason I call it the "good engine" is that last year Gene said he wanted to build a good engine. I'm definitely not saying the one in the car is bad at all. I think it's great for what it is. It is competitive with most of the cars it runs with even though it is one of the smaller engines. It is really 427 cubic inches. For example that "small block" he ran a couple of weeks ago was all aluminum and 461 cubic inches. Don't believe what's painted on the cars, some are over 600 inches.

 

Brian, he also needed a rear sump. As for the updates, the pleasure is all mine. You need to come see us some time.

 

Y'all can see why he has been my hero since child hood. most everybody just calls up Jegs and orders an oil pan, but not Gene. To add to Franks post not only are most engines out there bigger than Gene's but most are store bought.

 

You gotta' be proud as punch of Gene. You probably didn't think at the outset that Gene would go on to be a tough competitor, engine builder, fabricator, and innovator. He's truly an amazing guy for his age, or any age for that matter.

--- Steve ---

 

Very proud Steve it makes me smile to see him working on that car just like he did 40 years ago.

 

Man, I'll say it again. Thanks Mr. Stott. This is one of my favorite topics. I love watching that Willys come back. To learn, that old tricks still work with new magic.....is a testament to what Gene Cromer is all about. A modern treasure. I appreciate all the efforts made to this date....by everyone. Texas fan, with a front row seat. Now......GO KICK SOME ASS......please.

 

Thank's it has been a good thing for me to be involved in and getting better. Gene is racing this Saturday at Ware Shoals, one of the same tracks where he raced in the 60s I can't wait.

 

I posted a video a while back that show Gene match racing at Ware Shoals back in the 60's. For the age, it was pretty good quality. Here it is again for those that missed it.

 

Wow I saw White Trash make a pass on that video also.

 

Love the aerospace high tech welding rod that Gene is using! Not many can gas weld like that today.

 

That was actually Butch Pruitt from Anderson, SC in his Buick powered "Little Cotton Picker". He is a good friend of Gene and comes to a lot of the races.

 

I'll bet Gene built those headers, he built most of the headers around here in the 60s

 

Here's Gene and Butch last year right before the "resurrection" of the Moonlighter. I wish I had made a video of them talking. It was a lot of fun listening to them talk about the good ol' days. Butch said he used to call Gene to find out which track Gene was going to so he could go to another one in order to have a chance to win.

 

These pictures from Ware Shoals were taken by a friend of mine from high school days, Ron Kennedy. He used to sweep the floors in Gene's shop in the late 60's. The last one is Halee Gamble Evans watching her grand dad.

 

I love the shot with everything but Gene blury

 

The South East Gassers will be at Atlanta Dragway Saturday Oct. 11 for the big nostalgia drags. Everybody come on out and see drag racing like it used to be.

 

I will be there

 

Finally got my new Moonlighter shirt , and it's cool!!
Gene, you are a true inspiration!!
Thanks
The Dufour Restorations Family


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Gene doing what he does and his emjoyment of home building cars is what i like. I love seeing him doing his own work building a oil pan is something I would do also. I love these old cras and I enjoy the time i get to spend with my Old Man with them. These Gassers are the most fun I have had in years. I know my old Falcon Wagon isn't the best thing or the fastest car but at the end of the day I can say I enjoyed it and built it. As gene told me it's just fun enjoy it and live life don't let it beat you down or you will not enjoy it. The Monnlighter is a piece of history and not just some where collecting dust.

 

Besides the Moonlighter, your wagon and Bad Penny are my favorites. Most of the other cars are built by someone other than the owner and their engines are from professional engine builders. I really like old school stuff and guys that do it themselves.

 

Hey Frank, when do we get to see some more of the 491" Tunnel Port innards?

 

I don't have a whole lot to post, just a few little mods to get some more oil on the lifters. There will be a lot more when the crank gets here sometime in the next week or two.

 

A master at work.

 

Hmmmm Sounds like someone found out the bore and stroke spec's on Gene's new engine. 491 cubes eh? -- I've read you can't bore a 427 FE very far, so that new crank must have some pretty long throws on it. An injected 491 cube tunnel port --- I predict the Moonlighter will be a VERY SERIOUS contender in the South East Gasser wars in 2015.

--- Steve ---

 

Ric has some "inside information"........LOL, more about that later.

 

Oops, slip of the key board! 431" Tunnel Port, silly me, sorry for the goof!

 

Gene said today that he wishes he had gone with a longer stroke. So he could have gone bigger.

 

482" is easy with a 427. +.017 for 4.25 bore and 4.25 stroke crank which is readily available.

 

GOT SOME PICS LOADED ON THIS THREAD
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ar-dad-and-his-family-pic-heavy.931788/page-4

I enjoyed seeing you guys again at Commerce.

 

When I click on that link all I get is a message that says HAMB ERROR