I finally am getting started.

My pole building is "somewhat" organized.... (been holding off on concrete as they did a lousy job building it and I want it right before I go any further). I also have my tools all picked up and organized.

I pulled and sold my 351M from the 1 ton. It was kinda nice - painted/new carb/ etc by the previous owner... I'm just more of 300/351w person I guess.

I spent an hour or so last night on my 85 and almost have the tranny out - needs a new clutch. I'd have gotten it done, but spent some time with my oldest boy and his B2200 . Too bad my '85 doesn't need a 12" as I have the brand new one from the 351m. After I get the 85 fixed I'll use it for hauling brush, etc replacing the 69 (no power steering). Might practice some body work, etc on the 69 for fun. It's pretty worn, but always runs and always gets the job done. Of course my wife wants me to work on the "short bus" for vacation next year.... it needs a head gasket. PITA to work on, but shouldn't really be that tough.

What all are you guys working on?

 

Been finishing up a tow dolly so I don't always have to break out the trailer for towing vehicles from place to place, and lets me haul around the smaller ones with the van. Also, I don't have the trailer for the rescue runs all the time...
Tinkered a little on the truck, reset the injection timing, turned the fuel up a little, see what it can do now... takes off like a gas motor with all the little things I have done to it. Got my fuel guages working now, and didn't have to spend $240 to do it... Now I just need to replace that back spring that now has 2 broken leaves in it... can't totally blame the sister for that, but the hay they hauled maxed it pretty good and certainly helped it along to final failure...Got the damage she did with the blasted tire fixed as goods as I could without totally reworking everything.
contmplating finally getting going on the Cummins swap for the crew cab, but since the money isn't there for the final things like drive shafts and other miscelaneous, haven't gotten too excited, but it will be getting cold before we know it, and that will limit my willingness to do too much with it then, so I should be getting going on it. Just wanted to get some other things done first before tieing the one bay shop up for too long.

 

Hey Roger.... I still have the leaves off my 85 1/2 ton. That's another project I let slip. I want to strip that truck - it has a few things I could use off it as well. I gotta get to a meet sometime and get them to you...

 

Not sure of the capacity on those, but I guess I could take the springs apart and add to mine, I still have a good center leaf and bottom leaf... I have some 70's springs here, but they are a little different, the spring center bolt is a inch or so further back...

 

y, there's not much to these early 80's 1/2 ton springs. Kind of amazing when I think how much I've overloaded them tho... ( not these specific ones - but the same type on my DD).

I got my 3 speed out lastnight and the clutch off. I was surprised how light that little 3sp was after taking out a T-18 last Sunday. Clutch was definitely fried... right to the rivots - no other damage done, but close.

 

I replaced my clutch - went pretty easy.... but now it won't start. My battery has a good charge, but I think I have a ground problem from when I pulled the starter - cable looks a little "iffy". Did a real quick look and I have no power at all - lights, nothing. Should be simple to test and fix... just need a little time with the voltmeter and test probe. Looking forward to driving it around the yard.

 

Well, it looks like I will be able to get the springs replaced after all. Got a local salvage yard around Homestead that needs to get rid of gas tanks, and I have a place I can get rid of them. I won't make any cash off of it, as the tanks sell at tin price, but it pays the fuel, and he will let me have the springs for hauling off the tanks. He saves money by not having to deal with it, and I get my springs, everyone's happy...

 

Projects? I've got a few lining up right now...

1. Replace Check Valve on Fuel Pump/Replace entire fuel pump if I can't do JUST the check valve
2. TTB Pivot Bushings (And Radius Arm Bushings per Rob's advice) for proper alignment before new tires.
3. Replacement of Hazard & Corner lights, and chrome door around headlights. Touch up the few paint chips the truck does have.
4. Sand, primer, touch up paint the bottom of my driver side fender behind the front wheel where I have 5 rust spots, then put on SS panel guards to cover and protect.
5. Shackle Flip in the rear to bring the rear end up/Better Ride/Performance.

Yep, I've got some stuff ahead of me. Worst is going to be the fuel pump/check valve. I find it hard to believe there would be NO way to replace the check valve itself without doing the entire fuel pump.

 

welcome to the world of automotive engineering where we replace whole units for a few cent part...

 

Glad you found the right springs Roger...

i'm interested in the shackle flip Saurian... those tweaking jobs are on you mid-90's truck right? What's up with your other truck (or did you sell it?)

 

Forgot... what IS the shackle flip? Mre info please... especially if it can be done on 80-86 trucks! Thanks.

 

it is about the rear spring mount, the spring and shackles go above the frame mount. The frame mount is removed, and the shackles rolled in front like the old leaf spring cars, giving lift but keeping the axle geometry proper... do some diggin around in the offroad forum and you will find as much info as you will ever need... It most certainly can be done to the 80-86's.

I got a pleasant surprise today... the father in law had me take some scrap tin from his place to just get it gone, well, scrap prices are back up, and I got $40 a ton on tin! and I have the gas tanks going in this week as well, they expect the price to hold or go higher, so that will be sweet! I expect to be getting at least 4 ton per load...

 

Thanks... I'll take a look. Cool news on tin too.

 

projects HA ! i got tons.

1- Finish rebuilding the wall in the kitchen
2- finish painting the kitchen
3- finish tearing off the back porch
4- finish painting the living room
5- Gotta get back to fellros and get those parts i need
6- take care of new twins
7- The escort needs a trans flush and tune up
8- trans gotta come outa the truck needs new seals
did i meation the twins ?
so much to do and no time to get it all done

 

Had an hour or so to spend on the 85 lastnight. Originally I thought the ground cable had problems, but that all checked out.

Turns out it was the positive cable at the battery. The end was a bolt on, not a factory molded one. I cleaned it up, remade the connection and the 85 is alive again. It was nice to drive her down the road again. She needs a pair of tires, a good cleaning, and it's still a rust bucket, but at least it is a running vehicle, willing to work.