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SCFlareside,
I've been following your build, looking good so far! I'd be happy to share notes as I go too. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that I'll be using your thread and expertise more than you'll be using mine!
So, I did some work this last weekend. Since the engine is at the machine shop, I decided to tackle a bit of interior work. I had a Pioneer radio from the Dodge Neon, so I thought it would be a good idea to install it. Again, no pictures of the crap that was already in the truck, one day I'll learn to document better. When I pulled out the old radio, it had this really cool mount that I used on the Pioneer:
I don't remember that part from my original truck. That truck had a flimsy piece of metal that held up the back of the radio. Since my wife has been so awesome about the truck, I decided to put her to work. Using a silver paint tipped sharpie, I had her outline the radio bezel:
The bezel is a bit mangled where you would see the "Custom" or "XLT", and there is a gap at the top and bottom of the radio. I have a plan for both of these, but I don't want to give it away if what I'm doing doesn't work. When I get to fixing those areas I will share. In the meantime, the radio will go in as-is.
I will be following you posts.
I hope this weekend I will be owning a flare side too that is not as nice looking as yours.
After seeing how nasty dirty yours is when I get mine I think I will hit the local car wash and do a little de-greasing (power washing) before I put it in my garage so its not as bad to work on.
Dave ----
Fuzzface and AKCowboy,
I appreciate the feedback! I did learn a lesson about cleaning up before I get to work. I was very excited to get the truck home so I didn't take it to a carwash and clean it up. I could have driven it down there, but I would have fogged out everyone on the way. So, i'm dealing with tracking grease all over the garage. Live and learn I guess.
The machine shop gave me the tins after cleaning them up. It's nice not to have to worry about making a mess with stuff. Since he is still working on the block, I decided to do some work on the valve cover. As I discussed before, the truck had California emissions on it, but the CA stuff was in really bad shape. Since it probably wasn't recoverable, I decided to do away with the CA stuff. Here is a picture of the mount for all the CA solenoids (if anyone wants this, it is in pristine condition, ready to be mounted):
Also, there was a throttle mount attached to the valve cover that was unused. I'm wondering if a PO had an aftermarket set up on the truck at one time. Maybe someone can enlighten us:
I'll probably do a little more work to try and fix the "d" in Ford, not sure what I'm going to do, but something... I'm planning on painting the tins Old Ford Blue. I'd also like to paint the "Power by Ford" in a different color. I thought about a creme color, but I can't find a high temp creme... Does anyone out there have any experience with painting a valve cover with something other than high temp?
That's all the work I have for now, I should get all of my engine back next week! Then it'll be off to the races getting it back together.
Hello all, I did a little bit of prep work before I go down to the machine shop and get my engine back. While I was enjoying the Seahawk game, I decided it would be a good time to spruce up the gearshift ****:
I used some acrylic paint my wife had laying around. I filled in the embossed details with a q-tip, let it sit for a minute and then cleaned around the embossed areas with a clean, damp q-tip.
I also painted the tins, but need to take some pictures. I'll see if I can remember to post something tonight.
My wife has a Makerbot 3d printer at work. One of her colleagues was nice enough to print the following for me. I have some work to do on the slide lock design, but I think I have a pretty good start:
I'd be interested in what everyone thinks... I'll be using a similar piece to fill in the open areas above and below the radio. It'll be something that will sandwich between the bezel and the radio.
Well, I've made some progress since I last posted. The last post I put up dealt with the interior, since then, I haven't done anything to the interior. I've been concentrating on the engine. The machine shop had the engine ready after Christmas and I spent the last 3 weekends putting it all back together. To recap: I decided to go stock on the engine. While it may not have been a good idea, I'll think about upgrades down the road.
The reason I went stock? I was getting impatient and didn't like how much I was spending, so I went with a bone stock setup less emissions. Here are some pictures of the engine build (please excuse the mess in the garage, it is somewhat embarrassing, my excitement got the best of me):
I still have a long way to go before I can start the engine... Vacuum lines, repair the exhaust, starter install, radiator install and secure the motor and transmission mounts. All the fun things that you forget about! Hopefully I'll be able to get on all of these things this weekend and give it a shot Saturday night.
You'll get there! I too started with a "Critical Patient"
Tore off 51.5 lbs of Emissions crap off the 351, and installed a Eddy intake and Eddy 4 barrel.
Runs smoother that it ever did with all that "did not work in the first place"
stuff.
Cheesecake you got a lot done is a short time well done.
Little update on mine, I did get a 81 F100 FS and did hit work to power wash it before bring it home but would never know it when I started pulling it apart and I mean APART!
Little cold working in the garage with out heat but last weekend got the frame painted after cleaning it of grease and treating rust. I started scraping grease off motor to detail it. Power washing did not do that good a job see box for grease and on the floor
Keep us posted on the startup and first drive.
Dave ----
Reamer,
I love your truck. My hope is to get to that point some day, but it's going to be a long haul. I hope to have it running by my birthday (Feb. 3). I think I'll enjoy driving it for a while before I start tackling the body (I also want to find all the other issues with it).
Dave,
I've been following your thread, and you are doing a great job. That engine looks about how mine did. The only difference is there was more oil on the outside of my engine than was inside! Also, the bracket on the front of my truck is bent just like yours... Definitely something to fix on my early list!
Ford_Truck
I too love the 300. I think it's because the last truck that I had the 300 in it. Despite loving big horsepower, there is something nice about the engine and its workman roots. The 300 was a prerequisite for my purchase, if it didn't have one, I wasn't buying.
I did a bit of work on the truck last night. I routed the vacuum lines. However, the "E" port on the carburetor has broken off. I knew that I should rebuild the carburetor, but for some reason I was holding off, I think I wanted to get it running before tearing into it. Definitely faulty logic. So I started to tear down the carburetor. I'm glad I did, It was in really, really bad shape.
I think ctubutis might be right. Here is a list of what I need to do to get the truck running:
Carburetor Rebuild
Starter Install
Alternator Wiring
Exhaust Repair: Air pump connection broke from the exhaust
Connect Exhaust @ manifold
Remove Catalytic Converter & replace with straight tube
Ignition Wiring Connections
Motor/Transmission bolt down
Drive line Install
Power Steering Pump Lines (hook up to pump)
Gearshift
Clutch Linkage adjustment (new)
Radiator Install
Heater Core Hoses
Fuel Line & Filter
Plug O2 Sensor Bung
Transmission output seal
Speedometer
Wire Loom
---Water Temp
---Dist. Vacuum Advance
Fluids
---Engine Oil
---Water
---Power Steering
---Transmission Oil
---Headlight Fluid
---Rear Diff.
---FRESH GAS!!!
I'll probably tape this list to the truck so I can start checking things off. We'll see how I feel this weekend, maybe I can put a big dent in this list.
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