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Interesting observation about using ATF for the power steering. I have never used anything else, although I know there is "Power Steering Fluid" on the shelf at the parts store. I have been told that ATF and PS fluid are the same thing except for the dye colour. I think PS fluid might be clear, don't know.
Eric
That and ATF also has detergent in it is all that's different, and yes it's clear. I've never had a problem using power steering fluid in any vehicle, including my '69 Mach 1 that uses the same Ford C type pump as the OP with a rack & pinion. Until I blew the engine (ironically on the street not the track) I was auto crossing and open tracking it, so I beat on it pretty hard. I can't imagine what caused it to puke with one vs the other.
It could have been a coincidence possibly, but I will say before the PS fluid there was no leak. After I put PS fluid in it started leaking more and more until it would empty the reservoir inside of a week. The pump is from a 95 so maybe that is why it takes the ATF.
Well a few updates (we aren't into picture taking updates yet) for the truck. Chasing down oil leaks I changed out the valve cover gasket as it had some seepage that I could see and I thought it had a bad leak on the back side. Once it was changed I did my degrease the motor and run it only to see oil still pooling in the back. I noticed the oil pressure switch had a lot of drippage on the bottom of it. I started the truck and watched the switch and sure enough after a couple of minutes at idle it was dripping roughly 1 drop every 30 seconds. I replaced it and I noticed I have some seepage from the pushrod cover, which I have already changed out, but will reseal. I do not however have an oil slick all over bottom of the motor or the trans any more. I'm starting to think the rear main may be fine. There is some seepage at the distributor, which I picked up a gasket for and will take care of this weekend. I would go ahead and do a rebuild on this, but now isn't the time unfortunately.
I started stripping the steelies only to find they are fighting me pretty badly. There is a sandblaster here in town that will strip them for $15 a piece and I am dropping them off tomorrow. I will shoot them in gloss black with a 2K clear once I get them back. Little by little I'm making progress.
jjr,
Sounds like you've fixin' those oil leaks one at a time -- Good Job!
Will the guy doing your sandblasting also lay down a primer coat to keep the wheels from flash rusting?
jjr,
Sounds like you've fixin' those oil leaks one at a time -- Good Job!
Will the guy doing your sandblasting also lay down a primer coat to keep the wheels from flash rusting?
BarnieTrk
I would think so. I'm dropping them off today and will find out.
Been a minute since I put an update on here. I got the wheels back from the blaster and they are now waiting on new rubber. I took the truck to my mom and dad's town for a car show/cruise night and the truck did great on the way there, but that trip took a toll. I did figure out that there was a 2 inch hole where steering column comes through (not the original column) and cold air blows right at the driver. I plugged it with a rag for now. I started hearing a random bearing screaming and it turned out to be the alternator. We now have a new one on there, which I got to change out in dad's shop. I drove home without incident, until the morning after I got home I noticed oil everywhere on the floor under the truck and all over the tailgate. The pushrod cover gasket was leaking again and the distributor was leaking oil at the base as well as confirming the rear main is leaking. I have had it with the leaks and in the next couple of weeks I'm planning on pulling the motor. I'm going to put it on a stand and redo the gaskets and rear main so hopefully this will stop. I'll also repaint the motor and get the engine bay looking like I want it with some unneeded holes closed up. The motor runs great and a rebuild isn't in the budget right now so this solution will have to work for right now so I can keep the truck on the road. I'll take and post pics when I start this process in the coming days.
jjriley,
Did the fella that blasted your wheels indeed paint them with a prime coat to prevent flash rust from occurring?
Did you get to put your Gloss Black then 2K clear coat on them?
Bummer on the oil leaks and the alternator issue - but glad you still made it back under its own power; not on the back of a hook truck!
I picked up the gasket set and motor stand today. I had a few minutes to get it positioned and start getting the motor out.
Hopefully I’ll get it out by next weekend in between everything else going on
Fantastic, you're lucky you've got an enthusiastic helper who is learning a ton, my son helped when I needed him to in the old days but wasn't really interested. That'll be something when you pass it on to him!
Fantastic, you're lucky you've got an enthusiastic helper who is learning a ton, my son helped when I needed him to in the old days but wasn't really interested. That'll be something when you pass it on to him!
It comes and goes with him. At 11 I wasn't interested in doing it so I get it when he wants to other things, but I love it when he is focused enough to help me out.
It’s out!! The main oil leak source appears to be the oil pan gasket and possibly the rear main, both of which are getting replaced. The rear freeze plug is wonky also. Going to go ahead and replace them while it’s out. I found the motor mounts worn out. Should be going back in in the next month or two.
I put a rear main seal in my 300 that I REALLY like. It wasn't for a 300 - the replacements are no better than stock, which is OK but not great. The one I got was actually for a different engine and its a beautiful newer design seal with two sealing lips. You use no sealant with it and it has a plastic "cone" that helps install it without the inner lip getting rolled under then you remove the plastic cone once it is installed flush with the block. I read about it in the 240/300 engine forum. I might not be able to find that again but I think it was for a 4.6/5.4 mod motor. I think it was The Frenchtown Flyer that was talking about it. Anyway, nice seal to use as an upgrade.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
