Its been awhile without an update so I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed. For those of you that didn't see it, Heres a link to the original thread http://www.chevelles.com/forums/show...ight=shemenski (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170545&highlight=shemenski)

John had been doing very well and progressing along the road to recovery, A few weeks ago at his checkup, the doctors found that the tumor had started growing agian. The tratment plan he was on had stopped working. He has seen several specialist at a well known cancer clininc, They have started him on a new plan and are optimistic that it will help. Ive spent a few hours with him over the past couple weeks, His spirits are high, and has a good outlook. He could use any prayers or good thoughts you could send his way.

When he was doing better, he had decided to bring the car home were he could finish it on his own, He has made a lot of progress, all the trim is on, rims and tires on, all the interior is installed. He just took delivery of a 375hp 350 that a few guys from the shop and I are going to help him install tomorrow, Hopefully by tomorrow evening he will be able to start it for the first time ever!! and hopefully drive it for the first time shortly there after. Its still his dream to finish the car and take his grandmother (used to be her car) for a ride in it for the first time in 30 yrs.
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Thanks for the update, Ken. I was just wondering how things were going yesterday, as I was wearing the shirt I got from you guys. Here's wishing John the best, and keep up the good work. :thumbsup:

Thanks for updating. Godspeed to John and his family. My close friend is in the hospital for having 70% of his liver removed due to cancer. It is a rough deal to go through. He is doing well so far.

Good luck with the engine tomorrow :thumbsup:

Thanks for the update Ken. May God bless John and I will say a prayer.

Thanks Guys, We really hit it hard today. started about 10:30 this morning and just got home a little bit ago. John Helped when he could, The heat and humidity really wore him out. Had to force him to sit down a a few times. We are about 90% done. The engines in and everythings connected, Had a problem with the throttle bracket that will need to be replaced, and a few small things hear and there that we couldn't find. Johns mom and wife took tons of pictures, Ill get some up here soon. John is very excited, We hope to have it running and him driving by the end of the week

:cool: :thumbsup:

Just got home from johns, We have to pick up a few more little things, it should be running and hopefully on the road this coming saturday. John is getting really excited!! Hopefully saturday night Ill be posting a vid of him driving down the road in his dream car. Heres a few picts from last sun
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/DSC02418.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/DSC02440.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/DSC02452.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/DSC02504.jpg

WOW, it's really coming along now..I can't wait to see the video of it going down the street..:thumbsup:

We're also looking forward to hearing your health is back in order, thoughts and prayers are still with you..

ITS ALIVE:hurray::hurray::hurray::hurray:. Got it running today, broke in the cam, set the idle-- It sounds nasty!!! tomorrow were going to tackle the exhaust, figure out why the brakes won't work, fix a small oil leak (valve cover) and hopefully go for a ride!!! Ill post a video of startup sometime tomorrow

No love yesterday:( Seems like Johns car has decided to fight back:mad:. The engine is in timing set starts super easy, sounds great. Only problem is NO BRAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We spent hours yeasterday bleeding and re-bleeding with no success. We did manage to get exhaust on it (Kinda). Its all in place just needs tightened up. John chose a 2 1/2 flowmaster american thunder setup, it sounds pretty nice, still needs a few adjustments.

The heat from the weekend seemed to take a real toll on john, He insisted on sitting out with us and helping when he could and it really wore hime out, By sunday afternoon it looked like he could sleep for a week. I wish you all could have been there to see the look on his face when he turned that key the first time. The engine fired on the second crank, He just lit up like a kid on christmas morning. It was great!!! Someone took a video, I will get it posted as soon as I get a copy.

How old are the rubber hoses? I've run into that before with cars that have sat for a few years. Hoses break down internally, swell up, don't flow any fluids through them. If they aren't new, I'd change them. :yes: Don't give up yet! :thumbsup:

How old are the rubber hoses? I've run into that before with cars that have sat for a few years. Hoses break down internally, swell up, don't flow any fluids through them. If they aren't new, I'd change them. :yes: Don't give up yet! :thumbsup:

The entire brake system is new, all lines hoses and componants. We get a little pressure at the fronts (baer disks) and virtually none at the rear. When the peddle is pumped the rears will build a little preasure, but when you reales the peddle and a press again its gone! we've vacuum bled them, standard pump to bleed, bled the MC 3-4 times, took it all apart and started again twice. Just cant find the problem. It has an aftermarket combo valve mounted to the MC, Reset the plunger in it, still no luck. I have some help coming from another TC member, hopefully he can find what I have ooverlooked.

we've vacuum bled them, standard pump to bleed, bled the MC 3-4 times, took it all apart and started again twice. Just cant find the problem. It has an aftermarket combo valve mounted to the MC, Reset the plunger in it, still no luck.

When I vacuum bleed, I like to have lots of vacuum to work with. I use an old boat oil change vacuum can to generate a lot of volume. I have the mityvac hand pump, it doesn't even compare. :noway:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=21664&aID=24A&cID=FROOGLE_21664

I've thought about retiring it and getting one that doesn't take up as much floor space.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mityvac-7400-Multi-Use-Fluid-Evacuator-7-3-Liter_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43998QQihZ007QQit emZ170242402430QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWThe

The method has never failed me.

Well Guys, At 10:30 this evening, John made his way into the car, Slipped His favorite Van Halen cd in to the cd player, To the sound of "Right Now", He fired the engine and slowely pulled the Chevelle out of the garage. He krept down the drive out into the street and proceeded to disapear for 20 minutes. :hurray::hurray::hurray: the look on his face as he pulled out was priceless and will be with me forever. His sister took a video, I will post it as soon as I get a copy. Thank you all for your help and support thru this entire project, I wish you all could have been there.. :beers: to everyone

the look on his face as he pulled out was priceless and will be with me forever.

You're a good man, Ken. There should be more people in this world like you. :yes: Congratulations on a job well done! :hurray: :beers: :cool:

Glad to hear that everything finally came together! I was at the ACES Mid-America show in KC last weekend and had my Shemenski Project t-shirt on. It got me to wondering about how the project was progressing or if it was done.

So, inquiring minds want to know. What did the brake problem end up being?

Glad to hear that everything finally came together! I was at the ACES Mid-America show in KC last weekend and had my Shemenski Project t-shirt on. It got me to wondering about how the project was progressing or if it was done.

So, inquiring minds want to know. What did the brake problem end up being?

The brake problem wis a missing spacer that slides in to the pushrod hole on the MC. the pushrod didn't move the plunger in the MC untill the last 1/2 of pedal movement, soon as this spacer was in The brakes were good as gold, We have a few minor issues to straighten out (vacuum leak and timing issue) then its off for a proper alignment. John was still grinning today!! Ill get some vids up as soon as I can get them so you can all see what you made possible

We are in need of some help from someone local!! We need to find someone local that has a trailer and would be willing to pick up Johns car and drop it off at my house.. John has started Chemo again and due to his appointments and our work schedules it is becoming difficult to find the time to finish the car. If anyone can help please let me know asap

Thanks

finally got a copy of the video from the startup -- This was after break in I believe. please ignore the fat balding guy with no shirt I didn't realize it was being taped or I would have put on clothes - it was very hot that dayhttp://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/?action=view&current=MOV02578.flv

Sounds sweet!:thumbsup:
Hey! At least your not covered in a thick coat of fur!:D

Excellent Man! You guys are doing a wonderful thing and I'll definitely keep John in my prayers!

Dave (Bowtie70ss) Stopped by yesterday, In a very short time he had the edelbrock carb straightened out now this thing runs great. I called john to give him an update, He is planning on stopping by sometime today to take it for a ride again. just a few more minor things to take care of and itll be ready for him drive the wheels off:hurray:

Dave, Thank you very much for everything :beers:

John stopped by the house friday (the car is at my house for completion). The tumors and treatments are really starting to take a toll on him. His Dad and I helped him out of the family car and into the chevelle. He started it up and instantly had a smile on his face. He took it for a drive around the neighborhood, His parents said its the first time they've seen him smile in weeks.

I spent yesterday finishing things up on it, fixed a transleak that turned out to be a cracked dipstick tube, adjusted the exhaust so it didn't bang on the trans crossmember. Fabbed a bracket to mount the vacuum pump for the brakes and put in a few enterior parts. should be done today, Alignment is scheduled for tuesday morning then its back to his house.

Wow, I'm just seeing this thread for the first time today. You are doing something
very special here. Hopefully he gets many more years to enjoy this car. If not, he still has
a couple good months left of the season to drive the wheels off it as long as he feels well enough.
WELL DONE.

Well, Its official Johns car is as complete.:hurray: He and his father came by yesterday and drove it home. I ended up installing a SSBC vacuum pump and jegs vacuum canister to run the brakes due to low vacuum at idle. It was great to watch them drive it up the streetThey had planned on taking it to a cruise in last night but due to the nasty weather. He has plans for upgrades but those will wait a while (bucket seats, gears and posi etc). I hope and pray that he can enjoy it for years to come!!

:beers: to every one for their prayers, support, and donations

Thanks

PICS?!?!?!? Ken - We need PICS of John with his finished car. Did you get any?

Congratulations for sticking with it! You and all the guys that helped you deserved a HUGE pat on the back! :bow:

I think we made him happy

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/DSC02943.jpg

Heres a vvid of john driving the car a few days ago. I think the look on his face speaks for itself

http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/ktrimb/?action=view&current=MOV02945.flv

I'm glad he had his dream realized! I will also hope he pulls through this difficult time!