As everyone knows, a project is never complete... I saved up some cash to dump into the truck and just finished up installing a bunch of stuff on my 97 F250. I did Rosewood 160/80s, S366, T-500, E-fuel, and 6.0 intercooler with billet plenums. I also added a D60 with RSK last minute because I found a deal I couldn't pass up on an axle. After that big project, I vowed to never work on the truck again... But now I'm in Oklahoma at my new base assignment and it looks like I'm gonna be bored for the next few months. They are pretty backed up here I guess. Once I start training I'll be super busy but right now... I'm trying to decide what I want to do next on the truck! My thought right now is: studs, springs, and pushrods or maybe try to fabricate crossover steering on my ball joint D60. (the steering is AWFUL since the D60 because of the tie rod rolling. I turned one end in one direction and the other end in the opposite direction and it helped but did not completely fix it- Redhead box BTW so its not that... I don't think)
Any suggestions on must have upgrades? Or things you did that you love? These trucks are just too fun...

 

I'd get them studs, springs, and pushrods in there. Supporting mods are just as important if not more, imo.

 

Did you replace the Pittman arm with the proper drop and length?

 

yes, I did a 3 inch drop pitman arm. The angle seems pretty good. Maybe it needs even more drop? I'm not sure. I had never heard of these steering issues until I had them myself and started researching. It seems like a lot of people have the issue.

 

I agree with Darin. Make the engine reliable first. As it is right now you have a good setup to cause major damage

 

I agree with these guys, do the studs, etc. When I did my build I definitely didn't want to do them but they talked me into it. I drive all over the country and I don't worry about engine failure.

 

sounds good. Thats what i have been thinking about doing. I haven't pushed the truck very hard because I don't want to break something. It would be nice to not have to worry about it.

 

The bad thing is you get to pull the injectors to do head studs. That was a big reason I did it all at once. You will prob need to replace the injector o-rings since they are out. I would not trust reusing them. Its a lovely job..lol



It wore me out..that's a lot of fastners!

Jack the drivers side of the engine up to do that rear lower bolt. And pull the evap cover off on pass side. Drain the coolant as the heater hose on the pass head has to come off for that front bolt..

 

I did mine out of the truck. I couldn't imagine torquing all those fasteners in the truck.


Although it's a lot of work to pull a motor just for studs lol

 

haha yeah its definitely a lot to think about. If I pull the motor, I'd have to do gaskets and seals while its out for sure. Make it a little more worth it. But then while its out, may as well freshen up the block too... One thing leads to another haha.

For the guys that left it in to do, did you completely remove the heads or did you take one bolt out at a time and replace it? I saw a write-up once a long time ago where someone did it that way. That seems a bit sketchy in my opinion... Is that the typical procedure?

 

Lots of us did one at a time. Its really very common.

 

that may be the best way to go then. Otherwise, I may as well do a full rebuild and just start from scratch. Which I will do someday but I don't want to do that quite yet.
What about valve springs? Did you guys do those with the heads on too? Do you have to turn each cylinder to TDC as you go so you don't drop a valve into the cylinder?

 

Yes & Yes. I used a straw in the cylinder to tell me when it was at TDC. I borrowed a spring compressor from a SD guy called Roland to do the springs. Its compact in size to get the back springs.

 

New base in Oklahoma... what are you, Air Force?

 

Yup, I'm at Vance AFB right now