John Eyestone

[John D.]

Does anyone know anything about John Eyestone? He used to restore fuel injections, etc. Thanks, JD

[Tom H.]

Re: John Eyestone

Tom Parsons will know him. He did an article years ago about the 12V DC Skinner valve and mentioned that name.

[Tom P.]

Re: John Eyestone

John D.,
I have not talked to John E. for several years.
The last word I had about him (which I THOUGHT came from you) was that his health was failing. Aside from that, I have no additional information.
It is true that John E. introduced me to the Skinner elec solenoid valve as an alternate solution to the cranking signal valve. I have installed them on several FI units which originally had a CSV, and on some of them, I left the CSV in place and hid the Skinner valve between the fuel meter and plenum, then fabricated a new hard line with the Skinner valve spliced between the CSV and the T on the main diaphragm cover. It is a positive fix for leaky cranking signal valves!!!
I have one of the Skinner valves on the modified FI unit in the 56 and it is activated with a 57 type micro switch. It works so good that you would think GM designed it!

[Mike M.]

Re: John Eyestone

last i saw john was at the nashville 50th anniv celebration that GM set up. he attended a FI seminar that the dipstick and i gave. john said he had advanced diabetes and his vision was near zero. he is/was? a fine gentleman. mike

[Steven B.]

Re: John Eyestone

Someone mentioned a couple of years ago at the Judging Retreat they thought he had passed, but I can't confirm. I have not heard anything since.

[Mike E.]

Re: John Eyestone

John lives about 3 miles from me. He has suffered multiple heart attacks and strokes as complications from his 30 years of diabetes. He walks with a walker, has no feeling in his fingers or feet, and has short-term memory loss. He's been near death several times.
It's sad to see--he's just a shell of what he was.
He taught me what to look for in rebuilding FI units, and has been a friend for about 35 years.
Mike Ernst

[Tom P.]

Re: John Eyestone

Man, that is so unfortunate!!!!!!
I've known John for, well, longer than I can remember.
Between John E and John D, Oh ya, and Mr. Bramlett, I have learned more than I deserve to know about rebuilding and modifying FI units.
Now, if I just had a modified 60-62 fuel meter, plus an extra 62 air meter, for a dual air meter FI unit, I'd be set!

[John D.]

Re: John Eyestone

John lives about 3 miles from me. He has suffered multiple heart attacks and strokes as complications from his 30 years of diabetes. He walks with a walker, has no feeling in his fingers or feet, and has short-term memory loss. He's been near death several times.
It's sad to see--he's just a shell of what he was.
He taught me what to look for in rebuilding FI units, and has been a friend for about 35 years.
Mike Ernst

Rev. Mike, Thanks for the update on our old friend John. Not good news though although it's better news than what I had heard.
God Bless John Eyestone.

[John D.]

Re: John Eyestone

Man, that is so unfortunate!!!!!!
I've known John for, well, longer than I can remember.
Between John E and John D, Oh ya, and Mr. Bramlett, I have learned more than I deserve to know about rebuilding and modifying FI units.
Now, if I just had a modified 60-62 fuel meter, plus an extra 62 air meter, for a dual air meter FI unit, I'd be set!

John Eyestone story that you will like Tom, etc.
I can remember the NCRS natioinal at Warren, MI in early 90's. Eyestone had a display of fuel injections inside the host hotel. One of them was a dual air meter midyear unit that he had for sell. As I recall he wanted something like 3750 bucks for i. Maybe more.
By the way dual air meter FI's don't cut it Tom. Not worth the aggravation and expense. Now Grady Davis, Bill Thomas, Smokey, etc thought it was the cuts butt but old JD calls it bubba work.
Nice big Holley will blow your doors off.

[Tom P.]

Re: John Eyestone

John Eyestone story that you will like Tom, etc.
I can remember the NCRS natioinal at Warren, MI in early 90's. Eyestone had a display of fuel injections inside the host hotel. One of them was a dual air meter midyear unit that he had for sell. As I recall he wanted something like 3750 bucks for i. Maybe more.
By the way dual air meter FI's don't cut it Tom. Not worth the aggravation and expense. Now Grady Davis, Bill Thomas, Smokey, etc thought it was the cuts butt but old JD calls it bubba work.
Nice big Holley will blow your doors off.

And here is that FI unit.
I took a few pictures of it when he had it on display at the NCRS Nationals at the Shangra-La lodge (on Grand Lake) in Okla.






This is the early style dual meter unit on Rich Mason's SR2, which is what I'd like to do to my FI unit.

[Tim S.]

Re: John Eyestone

Rev. Mike, Thanks for the update on our old friend John. Not good news though although it's better news than what I had heard.
God Bless John Eyestone.

x2. Years ago I had a 63 FI car with one of John's units on it. The best running FI car I have ever had. Real gentleman. Sometimes, life just ain't fair.

Tim

[Ray G.]

Re: John Eyestone

John lives about 3 miles from me. He has suffered multiple heart attacks and strokes as complications from his 30 years of diabetes. He walks with a walker, has no feeling in his fingers or feet, and has short-term memory loss. He's been near death several times.
It's sad to see--he's just a shell of what he was.
He taught me what to look for in rebuilding FI units, and has been a friend for about 35 years.
Mike Ernst

Hello Rev Ernst;

John Eyestone is a fine man.
Spent hours w/ him at swap meets. Jefferson in particular.
Did not know his health had deteriorated.
God bless him.
Ray

[Willard M.]

Re: John Eyestone

Maybe some of the folks in NCRS might cringe, but I would love to see an article in the Restorer about installing Skinner valves. Seems like I had one in one of my 62's and it never failed to light right up and I forgot about worrys connected to cranking signal valves. If not in the Restorer, maybe a detailed post here.

[David D.]

Re: John Eyestone

Thanks to Mike E. I was able to speak with John about three years back. I have one of his units on my 60. I had to remind him that my 56 rolled of the trailer way back when in the Ozarks and hit his van. Popped the smack out of my car and barely dented his van. Darned old powerglides!