Looks like the tire might arrive on Saturday, that would be awesome.The tire place is open on Sunday so then I can get the tires mounted and then might go to the shop and install the control arm and tires. That will give me a good indication if there is anything else that might be bent. Going to see if I can work out some of that dent in the rear quarter panel today. Also look at the running board to see if it is salvageable. Really thinking of replacing the door and then the only thing to repair would be the piece between the door and the tire. I found a patch panel for less than a hundred shipped.

 

The new tire and the coolant tank arrived yesterday. The new rims and control arm are out for delivery. I looked for the extra TPMS sensors I had and could not find them, I ordered another set just in case I don't find them. I am going to work on the brakes on the 79 again while I wait for the rest of the stuff to arrive.

We got a shocking email from the owners of Ag-Pro yesterday, They are giving everyone in the company the week of Christmas off with pay!

 

So far I'm not impressed with the K&N air filter. I haven't priced the OEM paper air filter, but from what I've read the paper does a better job at keeping dust out. I went and bought the brand name cleaner and spray oil. Cleaned the filter and washed it out good Thursday evening . Brought it into the house to dry over night. It still felt a little damp so I figured I would let it dry outside in the sun till evening. I checked it this morning and it finally feels dry. I may set it outside for a few hours and let the sun and air do more if there is any moisture left in it. I hope cleaning this will improve the gas mileage on the highway.

I was just puttering around the back roads the other day running 30 to 35 mph and getting 19 mpg. Most of the time it was in 4 or 5 gear. I got on the highway running 45 to 55 and watched it drop to just below 17.9 mpg. There was more hills when I was running slower as well. I noticed poor fuel mileage when pulling my airstream. 10 mpg letting it use 6 gear and 12 mpg using only 5 gear. I picked that up from the forums about these 3.5L eco like 2k to 2.5k rpms when pulling. Most have the 3:31 gears or 3:56. Mine has the 3:73 gears so finding someone to put rpms out there instead of speed was a lot of reading.

I think I bought too much truck lol. I was looking for that 24 mpg mark. Of course with the bigger tires and the occasional front calipers sticking doesn't help matters. I've noticed the parking brake doesn't hold. I saw when I bought it the new calipers on the front put on by Pep Boys. I also saw where they had flushed the brake fluid 3 times within a matter of months which tells me they couldn't figure it out. I bet if it has a rubber hose at the caliper it's probably colapsing and not letting pressure off the brakes. Even saw where the last place it was serviced and the Ford dealership reprogramed the ECM. I've just been gently stopping so the brakes don't stick. Another thought is the hill start assist. I've never had that feature. I hope it's not causing the problem. Any thoughts?

 

Well that is great news. Time off with pay is always good. Ag-Pro sounds like a good company to work for. I didn't know you worked on large equipment for a living. I started to buy a New Holland backhoe when I had cash in hand, They wanted 15k for a wore out piece of junk lol. I used to do a little operating and I guess they thought I was stupid.

The hour meter was broken and the controls for the bucket didn't respond the way it should. That crap will get some one killed or utilities damaged to say the least. I don't know what it would have cost to replace, but my guess the hydrolic valves were sticking. The front bucket worked fine. I didn't like the fact he started it with either in warm weather. I'm no diesel man but from my experience thats a good sign she is worth her weight in scrap metal lol.

 

After I retired from the Army I worked at Yancey CAT as a mechanic for 2 years, I am now the service manager at Ag-Pro but I do help around the shop. They are an OK company to work for but most of the year it is you need to sell more, more, more. That's why it was a shock they are giving us the week off. Started to go outside and get started and the wife and son woke up. Wife made breakfast so I was delayed.

 

I got brakes on the 79 Hey hey hey!!!
Wife was in town with her mom so I used a 2x6 to push the pedal down while I ran around the truck and bled the lines. I just need to finish putting the tires back on and take it for a spin.
The 2 new rims and the control arm came in for the Caddy today. I am almost positive the other TPMS sensors are at work. The new set of sensors I ordered will be in tomorrow. Depending on when they show up I might run to the tire store and have the tires mounted and then I can install the control arm Monday during lunch.

 

 

FLAKE!!!!!!!!
Harley is done, I have videos of paint, customer should win some shows.
**** is a beauty

 

Chief yesJacob look good .
We have one room almost complete. Sand and stain floor and finish trim

 

The bike looks fantastic Jacob!

The 79 always had a funny miss in it. Dad changed out plugs and wires and rotor cap before he passed away but it still always ran a little funny. Today I figured it out, the number 3 plug wire has a piece of rubber in the plug boot, so even if it was connected it was a dead miss. I got the rubber out, adjusted the carb and it runs amazing now. The brakes are better but not amazing, I think I need to adjust the rod from the pedal to the master cylinder some. Drove it to the corner store and put 20 in gas in it, the gas gauge is still not working. The tires have flat spots, the radiator still has a leak, the speedo needle jumps around but it starts and drives again !!

The TPMS sensors for the mom in-laws caddy came in today so I ran the 2 new rims, the tires and the sensors to the tire store and got them mounted. Tomorrow I can install the new trailing arm, coolant tank and put the new rims on. Fingers crossed that the rear end is not damaged internally. Then I can start on repairing the dents.

Came home from the tire store and my son insisted we put out the christmas inflatables today. So we got them out of the basement and we put them up in the yard. No rest for the weary.

 

thanks guys. The color got muddied a little bit by the flake, but damn that color POPS

Finally sent that off, and got back on my ford. Cut the cab corners off, cut spots out of the floor to replace. I have to mount the doors this week to fit the cab corners, and get to welding. 75 percent of the floor I patched yesturday. I have a small spot to remake, and its the trans tunnel corner. Thatll be fun

 

The only real rust on the cab is the driver and passenger floor pans. Someone had the exterior professionally painted many many years ago. The whole bottom of the bed is going to have to be replaced, one day but anytime soon.

 

OLD VS NEW
I just about have the new one in. It's fighting me but I'll win.

 

Got the trailing arm in, installed the new rims and tires, then reset the TPMS sensors and then I took it for a drive. I got up to 70 with no crazy noise or vibration or pulling. Got a quote from a body shop to fix it the way it is about $1800.00 dollars. Around $1300 if I replace the door myself. Not quite as bad as I was expecting but it will have to wait till after the Holidays.

I drove the wifes Caddy into work to bring in the parts and I went ahead and changed the oil in it, one more thing knocked off the to do list.

 

That's a nice job on that bike Jacob.

Chief I'm glad those vehicles are coming together.