Another benefit of the relays Is they keep the headlight switch from burning up as easily. I think I have mine fused 10 amps for both 45/65 watt low and high beams. I started on the oil cooler on the f250. Orings were definitely shot. Pulled the exhaust manifold to get more clearance, managed to break a bolt, but got it out. Cooler is ready to go back in, just need to prep the block. It's definitely been a pain, yesterday was day 3 of working on it. Ended up using a roloc disc to clean the cooler headers, then flat sanded with some 320 grit on a piece of glass to get it pretty flat.

 

Finally got around to ripping the headliner out of the one ton. Going to clean it up and get it ready to go back in. Then Work on the dash and cluster\gauges. I'd like a few of them to work. Nothing major, just speed and fuel gauge.

 

So, on Friday 12-20-19 the transmission harness on my truck went up in flames. I was in the woods, and luckily got the fire out before the truck burnt to the ground. I did call insurance but they basically told me to get F*****. So I took it to a local transmission/automotive specialist on Monday 12-30-19 (they were closed al Christmas week). They called me Tuesday and said I would have to replace the complete harness, as well as the Bulkhead fitting in the transmission. I also am getting them to remove the intake, and replace the heater line that goes through the valley of the engine while it is there. 🤞 I'll be able to pick up the truck tomorrow.

 

Dustin, you are right about the headlight switch for sure. My 66 does not use relays, just kept it all stock, and one night driving home the headlights kept going off then coming back on, 2 or 3 seconds at a time. Was overheating, tripping the thermal protection, cooling off enough to come back on, and then doing it over & over again. Luckily I have fog lights in the grill so that I had enough light to get home!

Josh that seems like a reasonable request!

Matt what would make the trans wiring harness burn up? I wouldn't think there was enough amps going through it to spark off even if the wires got rubbed raw & exposed.

 

Engines getting closer to being fully back together. Got the pistons reringed. The cyl bore in place and the head reassembled. Took me forever to get the cams and their holders on. Exhaust cam was fighting me to get it in the right position to let the covers hold it in place.

 

Larry 😉

I had sprayed the idler and Tensioner pulley with a little white lithium grease, because I thought one of them was making noise. Some of which made it under the intake, where the coolant leak washed it out the drain hole in the back and onto the intake. My best guess is that started the fire and the harness was just to close to it and ended up on fire.

 

Larry,
that sounds like some awful luck. was this on the daily driver truck (2000's Crew) or a different one?

 

You guys have been busy on your projects.
Other than taking the truck to work a few days last week I have not done a thing to it.

I have been checking Ebay & Craig List for a 5sp transmission and with another forum members (some are on FTE too) on 5sp's to swap in it looks like a ZF for a small block is a needle in a hay stack type of deal.
So the next is a M5-R2 from 88 - 91 small block trucks. It does not have the granny gear but I could go lower in the rear to partly make up for that for when / if I pull the trailer or load and still have over drive to keep the RPM down.

Then yesterday I seen a post in the 80-86 area of someone asking value on a NP435 out of a 86 LB with a 300 in good shape for cheap! The gear ratio for 2nd gear is lower than my T18 that I feel is a little to high for starting off with unloaded and drive like a 3sp transmission. So checking a few things to make sure it will fit in my 81 SB with a 300.
I can then look into the Advance Adaptor Range splitter OD unit for about $1700 and have OD.
If it will fit the wife and I might be doing an over night to GA and see family at the same time.

Oh I also missed a photo op yesterday as I did not have my truck or phone to take pictures.
When I took the weekly trash to the dump a mid 50's Ford PU came in, not bad looking either.
Then as I was pulling out a early 60's Ford PU pulled in., it was a driver as it had some rust and what not but a good base to start a rebuild / restore on.
If I had my truck I would have stopped both to see if we could get pictures together.
Dave ----

 

I'll keep a lookout for a zf5, Dave what rear gears are in yours?

 

Yea it was my 2001 Supercrew. I normally don't daily, but because I was off work and hunting I was driving it every day.

I got it back today, new bulkhead, new transmission harness, and transmission service. Also got them to fix my coolant leak, which resulted in a new intake due to mine being cracked.

 

Dave is this what you need then?

 

I see a road trip in Dave's future

Nice find, Josh

 

So after seeing Dave's truck. I've started getting a bit of a bug about getting back to work on mine.

So I said I did the bed liner. Here it is. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'm ready to go crazy using this stuff EVERY WHERE on the truck now!!!! 😁

 

Some have used it all over on their trucks even on the outside
Looks good, Josh

www.semproducts.com makes a liner that can be tinted to match the color of your truck. Used it in the bed of my 87 F250

 

Sem is what i used on my door panels, great products. I may bedline my bed whenever I get around to fixing it up and painting it.