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(I wanted to install a thumbs up here, but the choices have disappeared !?)
It's still there - click the smiley-face button on the top of the editor window, it's right next to the button ya push to insert inline images.
Aaron - I think you're getting more than a bit paranoid about kids crawling under your truck and draining stuff out, but maybe you ive in an environment where that's a problem....
Lol I just meant the set-up, correctness of it all... I believe I've got it correct just want to be 100% sure tho. Oh... and I forgot to add that yes - I did turn the motor over 2 times and put my thumb over the spark plug hole to make sure I'm nearing TDC (not on the exhaust stroke).
And then there's the "over-seas" vs. Remanned unit side of things.
Thought I would put my two cents in on the distributor question. In the past year I have found two new "Chinese" and three remanufactured, "Mexico", distributors that had the gear on at the wrong location. All were to short and would not allow the gear to set down on the pad. I would highly recommend that you check that dimension if it hasn't been done already. Also the advance curve on any of these distributors may or may not be correct for your engine. Here is a page from Ford Racing about the gears and end play.
Thought I would put my two cents in on the distributor question. In the past year I have found two new "Chinese" and three remanufactured, "Mexico", distributors that had the gear on at the wrong location. All were to short and would not allow the gear to set down on the pad. I would highly recommend that you check that dimension if it hasn't been done already. Also the advance curve on any of these distributors may or may not be correct for your engine. Here is a page from Ford Racing about the gears and end play.
Excellent information. Would not have thought to check for any of that.
What did you end up going with for a distributor?
There are plenty of choices on RockAuto that I'm considering instead of the overseas one I purchased.
A-1 Cardone re-manufactures old distributors... wonder if that would be a better choice for the motor?
I believe all the new ones come from the same place, just in a different box. All three of the remans I checked were Cardone. I've given up on any of those and just keep looking on e-bay until I find a reasonably priced NOS Motorcraft and recurve it to what I need. You are in a good position with a 400 since any distributor that will fit a 351C, 351M, 400, 370, 429, 460 will fit. And since Ford still put 429 and 460's in big trucks through most of the 1990's there are a lot of NOS ones out there. I would stay away from remans mainly because they already had two holes drilled in the shaft and if you need to change a gear you pretty much have to get another distributor. Of course you could get one from somebody like Performance Distributors or FBO ignition, it would be more expensive but it will be curved exactly for your engine.
Really all I was suggesting was to check the end play and gear location on the distributor you have already. Points are fine. I grew up with them. And if they are new they make power equal to an electronic ignition. But they degrade with every mile, electronics don't. Also I'm old now and just prefer to not have to pull the distributor cap every time I change the oil.
Update time. I've been hard at work, just have no time to post. Still need to check my end-play with the distributor. Thanks for the suggestion Crop Duster.
Serpentine system is finished.
In my research, I've found that this exact set-up was done before but was not well-documented. I plan to do a write-up for everything I did. Just need more time to do it.
Mounted all my fuel line, pressure gauge, and 3/4" electrical cable holders to keep it all steady. She's solid. Attachment 285713
I even made a slot for my return spring. Much more sturdy than that flimsy piece of aluminum Edlebrock gives you. Attachment 285714
Birds-eye view of routing. I know it's ugly, but it's functional. Attachment 285715
Needed somewhere to put the fuel filter and the pressure regulator that had easy access, but was removable if I didn't like it. This is what I ended up with. Attachment 285716
Fuel system is ready to go. Just some minor cutting on that bracket that was welded together for the regulator. Everything comes off by removing 2 nuts, 3 bolts, and 2 hose clamps. Easy. Attachment 285722
Thanks! I appreciate the compliment cause I thought it looked kinda ugly lol.
Originally Posted by Filthy Beast
Movin' right along......looks good!
Mebbe it's the picture angle....but are you going to have enough room between the coil and radiator hose?
Thanks
I slid the coil forward to have more room between the fuel lines and the back of the coil. Kept hitting my hand against stuff while I was working. I can slid the coil back if needed, no biggy.
Speaking of that top rad hose... I think I may have lost it... I have no idea how I lost a brand new radiator hose that's over a foot long... but oh well. Off to the parts store I guess? Lol.
So with the motor basically complete, I have a few small things to do like the gauges and some ground straps for the front clip and motor. Want to make sure everything is getting grounded properly without any interference.... and that it's accessible after the fact because the original ground straps for these F-series trucks were in terrible spots. Not accessible at all...
If anyone can't tell, I like function over form hahahahaha. Ugly + works > pretty + piece-o-carp
".......function over form hahahahaha. Ugly + works > pretty + piece-o-crap."
Yeah....that's what I tell my best main squeeze......"You want a pretty-boy that'll fall apart after one use or a beat up old workhorse that'll go the distance?"
