And, what did it do to the ride and handling?

 

I haven't gone anywhere yet. I pulled it in when I cut the grass, then installed the bar. I will see what difference it makes, but it may be next time I go to Newport News before I really find out.

 

I was under my truck checking on my starter and noticed a missing rivet head in the front crossmember.
Going to have to address a few things after my current crisis is resolved.

The starter seems to turn but drop out of engagement.

 

Last weekend when I drove my truck home my transmission locked in 3rd gear, had to use both hands to pull it into neutral, towed it home. Today I pulled the top cover off to see what was going on. The best I can figure is the shifter came unscrewed part way, then one of the shift rails went out of sync causing it not to shift gears properly.


The middle one was the one causing problems.



All the gears on top looked good



but then I found this in the oil in the front left corner.



not sure what it is, or if it was important, but I was'nt going to leave it in there.

Put everything back together, seems to shift fine with the truck off, can't start it at the moment fuel pump relay problems, that will be next to fix, but I'm assuming it will be fine. I was very happy this was a simple fix, was worried the trans was shot.

 

I had to work on the Nissan today. I had installed a three inch lift and a larger front stabilizer bar. The two rubbed on each other and my tie rod adjusters bent. Finally could afford new ones (70 each as they are super heavy duty) and got them installed. I did a quick visual alignment to last until I get the toe set on Tuesday.

I kind of wish I could figure out how to install a steering setup like the Nissan on the othe ford.

 

Well, over the last few months I've given away, sold, or thrown out all of my extra F-Series parts.

After long consideration, I have decided that it is time to part ways with my F150 as well. I've come to the realization that at this point in my life, the last thing I need is a project of this magnitude. I considered storing the truck somewhere (I plan on moving in the near future), however I know that I still won't be able to devote my time to it.

This truck was the first truck I ever owned, and it's taught me almost everything I know about working on vehicles. I wouldn't have been able to do nearly half the things that I have done to my Ranger without first gaining the confidence on my F150. Knowing that has made this a really hard decision, but I think that it's the right decision.

Geographically this is a terrible place to sell trucks of this age, because they're very popular with the mud bogging crowd. I'd rather not see my truck trashed and turned into a mud mobile, so I have decided to part out the good stuff, and figure out what to do with the rest later.

I'm still a few months from moving, so this isn't something I'll be doing tomorrow. However when I do finally decide to start parting it out, I'll be sure to place an ad here on FTE for all of you wonderful forum members that have helped me through the years.

Pic for remembrance:

 

Shaun - Say it isn't so!!!! Oh my, what is this world coming to....

So, PM me with parts you'd be willing to let go of. You know what I have fairly well.

Oh no!

EDIT: In the PM tell me what the situation is with the truck. What does it need beyond what you have????

 

I did rear leaf springs this weekend . Next week is the for panels

 

This is more of what I've done to my truck lately instead of today. I switched out the edelbrock 1406 for a street demon, said goodbye to the ds 2 and put in a msd 8350 ready to run. Went to the local wrecker picked up a 3g alternator from a windstar, starter/alternator wiring from a 08 ish gas super duty, vacuum canister of a 6.0 super duty, a cleaner washer/coolant tank. Replaced the starter with a 460 pmgr unit. Replaced the heater core and heater hoses. Did this over the past few weeks when I could find the time, really cleaned it up under the hood and made the truck more enjoyable to drive.

 

So, what do you think of the Street Demon? I have one but haven't installed it yet.

 

I like it a lot, starts a lot better, good throttle response, just had to adjust the idle mix and speed but I don't have a air/fuel ratio gauge. No bog/hesistation like the edelbrock. I went with the 750 which might be a little big for my combo right now but I thought 625 was a bit small too. I haven't felt a loss in low end power but that might change when I put a stock torque converter in for the 2400 that is in there now.

 

Shaun, that's sad! You have had that truck for a long time as well as put a lot of TLC in it. I hate to say it, but sometimes things don't last forever

 

Bill, I was very surprised at how reasonable the rebuild parts were for the Sterling. However, the seals were a shock! I was prepared to dump $35 on a pair, but not individually.


I towed one of my mortar mixers over to James' house with Whitey yesterday. It was having some carb problems and some other issues. Seemed like the needle was hanging open. It was running really rich, using way more gas than it should and filling the crank case up with gas hydro locking the motor.We feel like we got that ironed out though.


I lost a dust cover on one of the hubs and had it taped shut.So I took it down and cleaned the sand out of it then re packed it as well as installed a make shift dust cover until I can get back to Atwoods. Gave it an oil change too. Then suddenly it quit firing while we were test running it. I had seen some evidence that mice may have been nesting in it. We pulled the flywheel cover off to find a huge rats nest (literally) and the ignition wire chewed in half. Some solder and heat shrink cured that up. A grease zerk was broke off where the tub hinges. I dug out the remains and we drilled it over and tapped it with 1/8" NPT and then installed a new one.


So Whitey and the mixer are ready to go back to work Monday if it isn't raining.

 

Who is our member that is the power tool repair guru?

 

What engine is on the mixer. My second job (first was pumping gas) was at a Lawn and Garden shop one summer, following summer, walked in to find I had my own bench and a great big old cast iron Briggs & Stratton waiting for me.