I got my 55 F350 out of storage today. I think the winter weather in Central PA is gone for the season.

Here he is sitting in my driveway looking happy... happier than Old Betsy sitting in my garage.

 

Looks good Abe!! I finally got my 49 f-4 in the paint booth! Your trucks sold me on meadow green!

 

Your 55 my look happier, but Betsy has her own room.

Now crawl under both and give us a caster shim update in the tie rod thread.
If they both have shims, look to see if Betsy has larger angle shims.

 

Looks great Joe.
Spring is here too.....along some extra water. Fortunately only 2 parts cars (my friend`s) in the water.

 

Abe,
The F350 looks happy to get out and stretch! Nice trucks you have there?
Regards,
Chris

 

It's a good color. when will it be finished?
Betsy does not have any shims. And I forgot to look under Jimmy today. I'll check tomorrow!
Chris, where are you from?

Thanks to all. So Spring is here finally except up in Maine!

 

Hip hip hooray for springDi did you ever get those Heads remounted Abe? You've had a heck of time with those. Temps here in Nebraska has been around 50's the last couple of weeks and I'm itching to get some painting done. As with you, my wife makes a comment every time I use a rattle can in the house. You better get the Mowers serviced cause the grass will be grow'n before you know it!

 

Right head is on and no leak. It was the left head that did not seal. I was hoping the suspect was the new dowel but it was the same height if not lower than the other one. I think I will take it to a machine shop and have them check it before I put it on again. You know the definition of insanity, right?

A buddy from church helped me get my broken bolt out of the T-stat housing yesterday. We put red permatex on the gasket this time.

I just have one push mower. I'll sharpen the blades, clean or replace the plug, change the oil, check the airfilter and it should be good to go, maybe put a few drops of Sea Foam in the gas.

At our soccer club we have a diesel Kubota Zero turn with a 72" deck that I mow our 12 acres of fields with. I gotta change the oil, grease all the zerks, check the air filter, and change the blades. I only put about 4 hours a week on it and it was built to be used commercially 5 days a week.

Your frame looks great. I admire you guys that do a frame off. I do that think I would have the patience and perseverance to do that!

 

Thanks Abe. The frame off was not planned. It just happen to be at a time in my life when I have the time, inspiration, and most importantly the Mrs's approval. I wanted to share some information about head gaskets that I found on John Mummerts Y block site. I copy and pasted. Thought it was kind of interesting and a possible issue with your heads. Take it for what its worth. Dave

"Head gaskets. The 2 head gaskets used on a Y-Block are identical. It might seem that the same face of the gasket would go against the block and the opposite face would go against the head on each side. This is not the case. What is critical is that the open coolant holes are at the back of the head and the blocked portion of the gasket is at the front. Look for the word FRONT on the gasket and place it at the front even if it looks wrong. This places 1 of the gaskets face up and one face down. Notice that there is a square corner at one end of the gasket, this must be at the front of the engine. This can be checked without removing the heads. If you are having overheating problems check for these square corners at the top front corner of the head near the intake gasket."

 

Thanks, Dave. I know the gasket was positioned so that front was at the front. However, I do not know if it was face up or face down. Good tip. Thanks.

 

She's a beauty.

 

Hi Abe, your 55 sure does look like it's smiling and very happy to be out in the Sunshine, She's a beauty for sure.

 

Abe ....I will get some pictures of it...I'm thinking in 2 weeks back from the paint shop...absolutely no rust repair at all....a couple of minor dents that can be dollied out...I will post pics of it