Dropped my distributor and new gear off at the postoffice, it should be in El Paso Texas Monday at MSD... apparently you have to press the gear on until you end up in spec, then refill the distributor shaft and pin it. I could most likely do that, but just gonna let them handle it since they have all the proper tools and specs.

Also got my rocker arms on to marinade in VR1 so that I can start installing push rods and setting valve last tomorrow. The guy helping me told me to soak them so they were well lubed instead of any dry places for the first start up.




And my pushrods standing by ready to be installed....

 

why not soaking the push rods and lifters in the VR1 too??

 

Pushrods don't have any moving parts that need to be soaked.

Lifters were already soaked, and have already been installed.

 

i was more thinking theyd be "prefilled" with oil before you installed them...

 

They would just empty out when installing them in engine. I'll prime it once the case of vr1 I ordered from Amazon shows up.

 

Installed the pushrods and rocker arms, then set valve lash this morning.



Dipped the pushrods in vr1 just to lube both ends prior to install.

 

Got more done this weekend.
I got off Ebay the fuel tank switch valve, a lic. plate light that should fit the flare side plate bracket that a member on the 80-86 trucks made a run of and the last was a factory AM / FM / Tape radio from a 85/86 truck but did not know if it worked but for $60 I went for it.
Saturday:
Made sure the radio would fit the opening in the dash of my truck and it did so left it there for safe keeping till later.

I test fit the plate light and need to do a little trimming to get it to fit the plate bracket but it will work. I also picked up a light socket for it during the week so it should be ready to bolt on after painting of the bed.

I replaced the fuel tank valve, removed the gas can from under to hood and hooked the pump back up to the main fuel line. Dumped in 5 al of gas in the rear tank and the gauge moved from below the E mark to on the line, I call that good! Fired up the truck and let it run a bit on it's own tank first time since 2015 when I got the truck. 1 more tank to try yet.

I did not like the trailer hitch sitting as low as it did so I took it off to flip the brackets around to raise it. Now it did not go that easy. It used nuts that you put on but cant get off so had to fight with them but needed new hardware. By this time it was hot and I was out of steam and called it a day.

Sunday:
Hardware store was still closed so headed home but stopped for 5 gal of gas for the other tank.
Bench tested the radio and the radio part works, had no tapes handy. The radio came with pig tail wires for the truck side. That was good as my truck the PO cut the truck side wires. After checking the wire colors on radio & truck I soldered and heat srink the pig tails to the truck and mounted the radio. Hardest part was finding screws to bolt the radio to the dash.

That is the bezel I would like to use but ....... the opening for the radio is a little to large but I think I can fix that but ......
It is made for a factory clock at the top where the 3 openings are and I don't have the clock assy.
I have a black weave bezel that needs a little more trimming for the radio and is broken but I am sure I can fix.
It does not have the openings for the clock at the top and I think I can put a wood grain decal to make it look good.
There also is someone that is trying to make the wood grain decal as a kit for the steering wheel, gauge bezel and the radio bezel and if the price is right I may get them to cover either one, time will tell.

I did get the bolts for the trailer hitch but by 1pm it was 96* in the garage and called it a day.
Dave ----

 

Got a little more done yesterday...






The new Edge Racing Converter, New ARP bolts, also not pictured new SFI flex plate, and LEB solid motor mounts.


Also found some clearance issues... looks like my breather isn't gonna fit under the hood.....




And my steering isn't going to work with the headers...



Got some steering parts on ordered to hopefully make steering work. Also have a Cowl induction scoop on order to make the breather work.

 

Looks like lots of nice progress going on guys. Keep it up!

 

Did a couple more things this afternoon.

Finished bolting engine to transmission.
Bolted in starter.
Made return fuel line from pump to cell.
Drilled holes for the front hanger on driver side and bolted in that ladder bar.



Also heard from MSD and my distributor should be done and shipped by Friday.

 

I've had a slow leak on the power steering in 55 Chevy ever since I bought it (almost 7 years ago, lol). The man I bought it from told me it was dripping a little when parked he thought it was most likely the ram. I figured best bet is to replace the hoses and ram at the same time. So I spend a very dirty Friday under the car getting ATF in my face and hair, but managed to get everything replaced. Two long power steering hoses from the pump to the gear box and then two short hoses from the gear box to the ram. Afterwards, while still on jackstands, I filled the reservoir and ran the engine and turned wheel from lock to lock. Never saw a drop of ATF leaking out! Pulled the car out and did a short test drive, came back and left it at the end of the driveway so I could pressure wash my work area. Pulled the car back into the garage and noticed a small puddle where I had been parked. Grrrrr!! I'm gonna get back under there and make sure all hose connections are snugged down, but I'll be very disappointed if it is still leaking!

 

I hate when you spend all that time fixing something only to have it do the same thing
If it is anything like the old Ford ram systems used on the cars I don't think they ever stop leaking do they?

If it helps any I moved my truck last weekend and saw a few drops of oil , trany gear oil? on the ground.
I did not check to see from where or just what it was but being I have not sealed the T18 trany I think that's where it came from.
Thing is all I have done is move it in & out of the garage and it is leaking

Good luck on the find and fix
Dave ----

 

Did some more tinkering on the truck, got the passenger side traction bar installed. Then started hooking up oil pressure line and new temp gauge to the engine. Filled it fuel of oil and decided to hit the pump with the drill. Found 1 small leak from the front oil galley plug I forgot to tighten. Snugged it up and continued priming it. I had right at 60 psi of oil pressure with the dewalt drill.

Since I bought the carb used I ordered a rebuild kit for it and pulled it apart to give it a good cleaning. It definitely had set with some fuel in it because it was a bit nasty inside even though the guy claimed it was "only 6 months old". Anyways after a bunch of new gaskets and a half can of carb cleaner it should be ready to roll hopefully.

 

Worked on the f250 a little this weekend, re routed a vent hose for the fuel tank, hopefully itll work right now. Replaced the throttle position sensor that was acting screwy. need to do some body mount bushings on the sport Trac. Just got Duke snipped, he's been getting a little big for his britches.

 

OUCH!!! Poor Duke.