Tonight I accomplished a happy thing- After a several months rebuild, of both the transmission and the engine in my 1991 F-150, I am happy to report she started up first time! She fired right up, and sat happily idling at around 950rpm... I only ran her for a few minutes, as it was 10:20 or so at night, and I have to get to bed (morning starts at 3:30 for me) as well as have dinner!

Anyway, more details will follow, but I am happy to say, It. Is. ALIVE!

Scott

 

Congrats! I'm sure it feels to good to hear it run after a lot of hard work.

 

Thanks! I was VERY heartening to hear that engine fire up first try, and then idle so smoothly... It took me a good while to replumb the plug wires- I pulled them all, and cleaned them(they only have a few thousand miles on them) and went to put them on as directed in one chart I found, but the chart and the truck had a difference of opinion when it came to clocking the distributor... (It was the one for "5.0 HO/5.8" to prevent crossfire) When I tried the method shown, I could not get them all to fit! I even went to the trouble of measuring each wire, and fitting them shortest to longest, and setting their runs so they would fit properly... So I used the idea of keeping sequential firing wires separated by a non sequential one...

Today did NOT start at 3:30, as usual- I got to bed after 11, the alarm went off, I snoozed it, then got the text from the local "weather center" that the school I teach aviation maintenance at was CLOSED due to the "storm"(we got around MAYBE 4" of snow here)... Went back to bed(although the boss texted that staff was expected to show up or take a personal day...) and got up at 11... Now I have to move snow around, and then I'll get to run her in (20 min at 2k), then check the timing- although I am sure it is close...

Scott

 

Awesome and congrats yeah my first time for my new rebuild was just 2 weeks ago and got to get back to her yesterday after work. Mine had a rattle that scared the crap out of me turned out to be the Fan clutch WHEW! Purrs like a kitten now.

 

I had what sounded like a bearing noise at first- but I realized it was the air pump- I had heard it that way before, and could feel it a little when I turned it by hand... It is on the list to replace- but the pivot bolt for it is seized! And I'm showing about midrange PSI on the (real) oil pressure gauge. I converted from the switch to the sender, and bypassed the resistor...

Ain't that first start a great feeling?

Scott

 

Ran her up today, did the 20 min/2kRPM thing, and adjusted the timing- she is now 10ded. BTC, SPOUT out, as detailed in t he book. I couldn't retard her enough because I had the distributor clocked slightly too far, so I lifted & rotated CCW, and gave myself some adjusting room. I figure I moved it about 1-2 teeth. Now she adjusts nicely through the range... Still have a low miss, I am going to have to shoot the wires, and se if one is a problem, or just a break in issue.

The FUN part came when I heard an undesirable squeaking, and was checking it out- Found the tensioner was beyond range tight- I could not even budge it to loosen! So I looked over the belt, and found it was walking off the air pump & crank! It took a minute for this to settle in, and I looked around some more, and found it was tracked partway off the water pump pulley as well. I loosened the tensioner retaining bolt, and popped it forward to take tension off. At that point I saw the problem- The fan clutch to water pump bolts had ALL backed out! They were torqued IAW the manual, however, they still backed out. I believe the problem is the new fan clutch mechanism: The factory fan clutch has HOLES for the bolts: the lockwashers can get purchase 360 deg. around them; The NEW (GPD brand) has SLOTS, and thus the lockwashers do NOT properly take effect. I think I will put the original back on to test run the truck, but get a Four Seasons brand, and put it in, and return the other. I am kinda annoyed. For now, I will add flat washers & blue locktite... That should keep it firmly in place for the moment... Just MORE WORK... Arrgggghhh... But at least I noticed it before it did major damage.

Scott

 

Of course, leaving the shroud out has its drawbacks. I drove about 1/4 mile, and heard a thwapping sound... Head right back home, pop the hood and realize I have just destroyed the BRAND NEW upper hose, which rests on the blasted shroud. Luckily, Pep Boys had one in stock. I was going there anyway... I'll put it in tomorrow.

At least I found my missing work keys- After checking Pep Boys & WalMart, I found them right next to my steps, in the snow... I'd have found them by March, I'm sure...

Enough for one day. And now I have to figure out how I sliced my thumb open, too, just now! AAAARRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH.....

Scott

 

That's great news about the engine and trans being up and running!

 

Congrats man, I know that feels good.

That said...I do believe that pictures are in order...

 

I'll get pics up in a day or two: The engine is COMPLETE... Save for replacing the fan clutch- I put the original on temporarily, and the GPD one is going back to the place it came from... New- new upper hose is in place, and I modded the bottom of the fan shroud to allow me to install and remove it with the fan in place... Started her up, and the miss was there again- the #5 plug lead needs the plug end connector slightly crimped- it was loose again. And I believe the distributor will need replacement- no big issue, I just didn't have the money to do it during the rebuild. I'll replace the coil as well...

FIRST DRIVE was EXCELLENT! Took about a ten mile run (to Pep Boys & back for some more Mercon V- I was a little short ) at various speeds... Drove GREAT- like a NEW truck! Transmission was shifting happily, engine was doing its thing, and the only odd noise was the wind- With the headliner & insulation out(I recovered the headliner, but need to reinsulate- the original stuff was deteriorated badly) you can hear wind noise.

Now to paint the interior panels, and put them back in place. Yay!

Happy-Happy...

Scott

 

Congrats, no matter how many times I am deep in an engine there is always that concern when you go to fire it back up for the first time.

Enjoy!