So I've only had one time to do a little bit of painting.

The primer went down well, did it in 2 coats. 2 coats of the high-build enamel went down beautifully. The semi gloss that I used looks almost identical to the stock paint. So far it seems tough, but I'll do a scratch test this weekend. And get some pics

 

Hooray for slow progress!





Next to come out is the rest of the clip, then the engine/trans.. I wish it'd stop raining so I could do more


Jameson

 

Hey Jameson, hope the rain gives you a break this weekend. Your work is looking great so far!

 

Thanks

I almost have the engine ready for removal. Just have to pull the inner fenders and the core support.

Anybody feel like playing a game of "Guess the manufacturer"? I'm not sure who makes the A/C system in my truck, but it's really nice. There are no brand markings on the compressor or any of the other components..



-Jameson

 

Truck is looking good...keep it up.

 

I wish time, money, and motivation all came at the same time. Between work and school, I rarely find time to work on the ol girl sometimes.



On a side note, how in the hell do the radiator support bushings come out? They seem stuck on, and are in desperate need of replacing.


-Jameson

 

Hi Jameson,

If your radiator support bushings are anything like mine were when I replaced them recently they'll be rusted together. They are made up of a top and bottom steel disc with a steel tube in between which all seizes up.

I used a 4" grinder with a thin cutting disc and also an air hacksaw and cut through the center section of each. The bonus for you is that the front clip is off so it's a lot easier to get to, I did mine from underneath with the front end on. Not fun.

Cheers,
Chocko.

 

I soaked mine and was (barely) able to drive the sleeve out. They are actually 2 sleeves that go inside one another. I think you can get them new, which would be much easier than fiddling with them.

 

Looks like a sanderson compressor -very good units compared to the factory lugs ford used ...
Great work ....

 

Engine is almost ready to come out. Just have to drain the oil and pull the carb and it's ready to come out.

I'm a little disappointing, the Edelbrock chrome valve covers and cleaner have rusted.. Well I guess I get what I pay for Maybe now I'll get the ford racing covers that I want..



And here's the mess of wires that I pulled out.. Includes the cab stuff too



trap4x4: You are the winner! It does appear to be a sanderson compressor... The whole setup is great. I love it.


Thanks for the help
-Jameson

 

Life is keeping me busy, but I had some time to throw some parts in the sandblaster.







-Jameson

 

Finally got around to the engine removal. As per typical Washington weather, it started pouring rain just after we got the engine and transmission clear of the frame





One thing I know for sure that's going to happen is I'll be swapping timing covers. The one that is on there has a crack in the housing, and doesn't have the dipstick tube (came out of a Lincoln, which used a dipstick off the pan). I have the old one that originally came with my truck. so I'll sandblast it down and swap it on. I'll probably also repaint the engine.

Oh, and I can't forget the long tube headers. It's about time I got rid of the stock logs


-Jameson

 

Well here's some news

Talking over my current state of projects this afternoon with my dad, I came to terms with myself on something that I've known for a while: I'm in over my head with this project. I've managed to scrape by for the years that I've had this truck, but I'm slowly loosing interest with it. I love the truck, and enjoy the work on it. What is bothering and slowing me down is the lack of tools, space, time, and money to do all this stuff. Most of the work that I've done has been in my driveway in the cold and rain, with a 174 piece mechanics tool set, and borrowing the tools that I need but don't have. The project is taking longer than I want, and I can't really afford to have a project this big sitting around taking up space and money.

The bug that I have is a different animal. It's small, I don't have as much work to do on it, etc. I'd love to hold onto my 79, but I just don't think it's in my best interest to keep it.

I will do a frame off resto on a truck at some point because I like the work, but that will be later on down the line. Right now, I really need to focus on making it through senior year, working on college and scholarship apps, and figuring out the next few years of my life. Besides, even if I do get my truck finished by the time I'm in or partway through college, it will still just sit and collect rust because I'm sure I won't be able to afford it....
---
All this makes me sad, because this was the first vehicle I got that I really cared about/done work on. I've had it for three years, and technically speaking I accomplished my goal that I set when I bought the truck: Replace the blown engine. I'm still deciding if I want to pull the trigger and start selling off my parts, or try and hold onto things...


Feel free to make some comments
-Jameson

 

Jameson, You have help on the rock, just ask and set up a date. Second, you are young and a bug won't be the ideal place to host a "lady friend"! My suggestion is to host a working party with a game plan of what you want accomplished and like Kevin Costner said " You host it and they will come!" Kinda anyways! I am up in OH and will be willing to come down to help out. Believe me, you will regreat it if your first ride goes away in a scrap pile. My '69 squareback was hauled off with a forklift punching out the windows and being a smashed up piece of crap. I am pissed at my family for letting this happen even after 10+ years.

Dakota