I need to go through your cha'pa'ai-hope you do not mind.

 

Thursdays work:

Initially, I put the spindles on right, but then I saw the position of the old ones, so I flipped them over. Now I need to go flip them again....









These are in the kingpin box. What are they for? There is only two, I assume they go under a kingpin cap

 

Also found this:



No pictures from Friday, but we pulled the manual steering box, the manual steering motor mount tower, and did a little cleanup.

We're going to buy new pistons, hopefully put us a little under 10-1 CR. Hopefully, we'll do a camshaft also, and need to pick a carb....

 

Not 100% sure, but I think they go under the beam for a wear bushing (between the beam and spindle)

 

There is a a wear bushing, and shims, already installed. These appear to be the correct size to install under one of the grease caps, like a gasket. I wondered if they were to keep water out (on top) or to keep grease from seeping out (on n bottom) but no idea so far.

I'll post in the appropriate truck forum....

 

Progress today! It feels good to actually have photos! I've been working on this every Thursday and Friday plus a little extra here and there, and I feel like we've still not done much in weeks. It takes alot of work to clean and paint every little detail like we've been doing. Springs are a *&(*&&( to paint too!

Some parts are going on!



Almost!



TOUCHDOWN!!!!



Both sides now have wheels, but I didn't score a picture...

 

These are my work conditions, for a auto tech used to working in a Eurpoean car shop, this geels like torture!


No air-


Everything has to be put away at night, although this makes a excellent work bench....


And yeah, I need a windshield...

Grandpa cleaning some frame...

 

Trying to pick a cam-

Are these any good for my needs?

Advertised Dur 252/252, Lift .468/.468

Advertised Dur 268/268, Lift .494/.494

Advertised Dur 260/260, Lift .484/.484

These are all Comp Cams from Summit.

 

I know what you mean. Just cleaning and bolting on parts is SO much faster, but there's nothing like a painted/detailed underside. Keep up the good work.

FYI, I found that a 4.5" angle grinder with a wire wheel really rips thru the loose rust. I have tried the drill method, but it is slow. If you have a grinder, give it a try, should save you a bunch of time.

 

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you still want a smooth idle I'd go with the 260. If you want a small amount of lope at idle go with the 268.

Personally if I'm going to spend the cash for an aftermarket cam I won't go with anything less then the 268.

 

To give me a point of reference, does anyone know roughly what the stock camshaft would have been in the truck?

 

It's been a decade or so since I messed with a FE but I seem to recall the adv. Duration was around 256 and the valve lift was right around .430".

 

That really is a big gearbox.... Wow... You can see the shiny new brake lines I made. I was surprised how close to original I got them. We're moving the proportioning valve back about 1-2' because the new one is so much bigger than the old one, it doesn't fit in the same spot!



Grandpa doing some of the hard work



Look how close I got that hose to factory. And those shiny yellow shocks.... Progress is so nice!



And finally.... It steers!



I still have to shorten the column, but we'll do that this week, as well as replace the rag joint.

Funny story, grandpa drove the truck for years with a "shot" steering box (both him and my dad said it was terrible, you had to spin it a 1/4 turn before it took effect)

Well, turns out his ragjoint was shot. Barely there. The box itself feels pretty tight!

 

Also had to use the torch to open the old 360.... Just had to see what was in there

Ended up setting it on fire... Oops....







View My Video

Also tried a little painting...





And I had helpers to open tonights package!

My youngest just stole my Hastings rings while posing for a photo...



And the main event-



Drop them off for balancing tomorrow. I'm not even going to tell my grandfather, I'll just pay for it rather than try to convince him it's worth it. I'll get him to spring for new lifters. I want this truck to run in 20 years after all.

Exciting week. Spend Thursday/Friday working on the '68 with Grandpa (his days off) then spend Sat/Sunday working on my dads '66 Mustang his just started, yesterday I tore my '85 F250 apart (removing the damaged front end) and I plan to get around to firing up my own '69 Mustang for the first time in 30 years this week.... Exciting week for a classic Ford lover!

 

I love this shot of the trucks. None of them are alone ever. They live with there own family.....