Does anyone know if John is still with us? I spoke to him for about an hour probably eight years ago, I'm pretty sure he was well into his 70's(?) then.
John is suffering from dementia. His wife is trying to return super chargers but she is elderly also. This is information I have from a friend who sent his SC to be rebuilt two years ago and has not gotten it back yet. He has spoken with John and also his wife. If you call be kind to her (some have not) she is trying.
So sad to hear this, I spoke to him years ago about a modified VS57 I have that he set up as fixed displacement unit, a very knowledgeable man.
That's terrible, sending prayers for then both and their family. I had a DO59 I wanted to use on a Chevy 250 L6, he liked the idea and said he could convert it SN95 and leave the patina on the case. I never got around to it. I've heard of a shop in California that does this work but doesn't have the best reputation.
Yeah, a friend knows him well. He made the same comment to me (dementia) about John, a couple of months back, talking Studebaker parts. Wish him the best. Mike
John still attends our Saturday morning breakfast get togethers , with the " Douglas Dukes " Carson City , Minden ,Gardnerville area
It might be an act of kindness for a couple of folks in that group to help John and his wife box up and get items shipped back to the people they belong to before it becomes a challenge that is a lot harder to deal with.
Probably one of the best things his friends can do for him. Familiar memories often help people in this situation. Good on his buddies for helping this way
Sorry to hear that about John, he was one of the “go to” guys. I watched my Dad go thru that and the strain on my mom. There’s a Cliff over on yblocksforever , this thread (which is still going on) who does a lot of work on those. http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic136059.aspx Also, Pat Fleishman (?) as suede57. He did my VR57 as a fixed speed with later model internals. Either or both can probably help.
Dave Mc it’s good he can still attend. It might be up to the breakfast gang to help his wife box and send back parts and units with a nice letter of apology. Most will thank you for helping get their parts back and look for another avenue, I’m sure his wife will. We are loosing way too much knowledge nowadays and some parts because the person suffering won’t or doesn’t help for help. Good luck.
My son called me this afternoon to tell me that John passed away 11/27. His wife, Sandy, had called Hightone from here about superchargers he had left for John to work on. One of the smartest men I ever knew. Along with Studebakers & McCullochs he designed many if not all of the Keith Black pistons and many more Unilite pistons. He was working on a new Studebaker head. He told me it was Studebaker on the outside and LS on the inside. My son worked for him for several summers in high school & college. He is the reason my son is a mechanical engineer. Thank you John & RIP.
The Jalopy Journal
