havent been feeling great since leaving work on friday and its been comming and going... so the only thing ive gotten done since sunday was to paint the retainers that hold the header pipes to the engine with some High temp paint.

 

Started tearing down the motor today. Pretty clean inside.

Intake cam



Exhaust Cam



discovered when i went to "break" the cam chain that the chain break i have is meant more for the larger chain that connects the wheel to transmission... so need to get another chain tool when i go to put a new cam chain on..

Bolt map since this engines got multiple lengths that like to interfere with things.





parts from the head



head in a box..



i see pistons



left bank piston looks pretty clean... which considering that side had both valves closed im not surprised there..



unfortunately the right bank not so much...



this side was open to the air via the intake valve.. its rusted all the way down to the oil rings.. which i did have to use a block of wood and a hammer to get them to break loose..



clutch and oil filter



box of parts #1



box of parts #2



box of parts #3



i pull the clutch apart and the oil filter off and at that point i was done... i was tired of working on it after fighting with several bolts that didnt want to come off...

but did put the ending on its side over the drain pain so that the remaining oil in the engine can run out... kept having to clean up the "weeping" oil...

 

I got the latches installed, outer door handles with new gaskets and new door locks so let do the rest of the door build.
Note I had to get new vent window assy. as mine were rotten & broken.
Having a new gasket seal kit I started by replacing the vent window seal. I see they are different but no big deal.
Fighting to get the new one installed only to find I did it wrong, got that fixed and it looks good.
Had to fight to get it in the door but no way would it fit into place.
Tried the other side I had not done the seal on same thing?
That is when I pulled out the old ones and see the issue(s)
Too long by 5"

We can cut that off the it will work ... no it will not ... the divider it also wider by 1/2" so the glass has to be different also! WTH!

You can see why I need a new set


Think I found a set from a member on the 80-86 area forum for $45 they may need a little love but from pictures not bad.
Between what I have and his I think I can get a set that will work .... I hope!

Yesterday I pulled the wheels and used paint stripper to remove that ugly black paint on them.
I also took the DA sander to the center caps to get the black off and knockdown some of the rust before painting with the same color paint as the bumpers.

The wife will take my truck with the wheels during the week to get new tires mounted as I need them and get the windshield installed before I can drive it.
Don't need door glass or inside panels to get to my work's car / truck show on Nov 9th in Apex. It is a party they are having for being in buzz for 60 years and the largest family own on the east cost.
Think I am up to date on work done to the truck.
Dave ----

 

Damn half the post did not come thru
Going back a few weeks I fixed a vacuum leak on part of the evap system, had to install a Holley 64 jet, smallest I had, in the supply line.
In looking for that I found the HVAC door not working. after pulling the dash apart I found a cracked plastic line where it passes from engine bay to inside got that fixed.

Worked on rear tail lights and harness using the style side parts truck tail light harness to make a flare side harness.
New lights with pig tails mounted and the style side harness untapped and checked to make sure I had power back there.
Also have the trailer harness plugged in between the trucks harness & taillight harness, still need to run electric brake & power wires.

What was removed from the tail light harness

New flare side tail light harness not wrapped and plate light harness


I have also drilled & tapped and mounted, not wired yet, the 7 flat blade light plug.

Dash pad topper is glued to the pad just need to paint with SEM color coat to match the dash frame and the other inside panels when I paint them.

Dave ----

 

Dang Shawn those pistons got a serious dome to them!

 

yup... thats the way they are from factory.. and there's relief cuts in them to clear the valves...

 

Measuring the Cyl walls the original specs said 2.756" according to my snap gauges and digital caliper theyre measuring left 2.756" and 2.756" right... so really no wear on the cyl walls at all...

 

So finally got around to pulling Ol' blue apart...

Stripped down the front clip to make it easy to get too...



Then I pulled the carb, intake, and passenger header came off, unbolted the head, and lifted that heavy thing off.




Got the head on the bench, shut off the lights and stuck the LED light in the exhaust port. So that shows how the slight bend won't let it close/seal.



So I'll get a valve, head gasket, and a decent valve spring tool ordered and get this turd back together.

 

Mud WTH happened?????
Did I miss a post some where?
Spin it to high and float the valves and too tight on the piston to valve clearance?
Any way you look at it it sucks big time.
Dave ----

 

Truck has new sneakers
Yesterday I dropped them off around lunch time on the way home from work and I stopped by about the same time today and they had 2 already mounted, other 2 while I waited.
Took a little nap, up at 1am for work kills me, then hit the garage for a spell.

Cleaned the lug nut up on the bench wire wheel. They should be replaced and I have a mix of 2 different types and some are rust pitted. Once the lugs were cleaned I mounted the wheels to the truck and got it down on all 4 again.

I am on stand by for work so I plan to get the dash pad painted and if dry enough mounted along with the bezels to get them out of my way.
I also want to get the vent frames trimmed and in the doors so I can get the glass installed.

I also have to see if Auto Zone has the door striker posts as I cant find the other 3 I should have so I have no way to keep 1 of the doors closed.
Dave ----

 

Got the engine torn down the rest of the way. Made some discoveries though.. lots of shiny metal flakes inside the engine, broken in half dowel pin that holds the shift forks, and a neighboring shift fork has a gouge in the side of it... also trying to get the rings out of the piston that was rusted to the walls of the cyl.

2 empty casings waiting to be cleaned up.




parts boxes got fuller






all the bolt map boxes



the rubber bands are to hold the outer bearings shells in place over the inner cages... one of the outer cages slipped off the shaft when i turned the engine on its side and scattered the needles everywhere... not fun picking up all the needles and putting them back in the cages...



Can see how deep the gouge is in that wall.. Im hoping i can weld it so that the wall will be thicker...

 

I broke the cam pin that keeps the cam gear and cam ins sync....



Best I can tell, the single pin just wasn't up to the task of spinning that big solid roller. My spring are triple springs and have something like 950psi at max lift...

So after research i had the gear drilled for a second pin.





.
Just so happens when the pin let go, #1 exhaust was at max lift. Flat tops and a large cam and they kissed. Luckily it happened at lower RPMs so it appears to of only hurt the valve.

 

Lugs should be 1/2", any parts store has them. Is this an f100 or f150?

 

ran the parts through the parts washer tank... even with the my old trucks engine i never turned the solvent a muddy brown like it did today... kinda want to get a few cans of brake parts cleaner and spray them all down just to make sure theyre all clean....

 

Yes 1/2" right hand threads I just did not measure the shank on them. It will give me something to do over the winter LOL

Truck is an 81 F100 300 six & T18 granny gear 4sp.
I just have not put the new badges on it yet.

And I found 2 of the 3 door striker posts, they were still on the parts truck.
They even had the plastic part the latch grabs so I don't need to find new ones.
Dave ----