Two years, nine months and 400 FTE posts since I disassembled the truck. We aren't driving anywhere just yet but the 302 is barking through open shorty headers. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! Blew the seals right out of the Mopar steering box. I don't care. It runsssssssssssss!!!!!

Sorry, I had to share that with somebody that might appreciate the signficance of it to me. Thanks for all the help PCMenten, Blue Oval Rage, Earl, Franklin, 286merc,truckfarmer,JohnN,Craig and all the rest of you FTEers I am forgetting who helped me through the many obstacles of returning my truck from Chevy powered back to Ford.

'fenders

 

GREAT!
Guess that Mopar box is getting even with you for the comments earlier!!

What box and details?
One of the 55's I just hauled home has a 67 Ford p/s box but I didnt follow thru on the numbers yet. Its C6AR 3580 A2

 

Carl

Mopar revenge. I admit the thought crossed my mind when it happened. It's a Volare box. I am pretty much limited to one choice with the Mopar IFS. John Niolon is the only guy I have ever seen try to unVolare an F100. I'm going to let him pioneer that one. My box input seal blew out a good spurt of PS fluid and then it seems to have stopped or at least slowed way down. I imagine its repairable. I will address that later. Really running good for a motor with 10 minutes on it. Only have one problem so far. The fuel inlet on the Edelbrock carb won't seal and it makes me nervous with open shorty headers. Especially when you're breaking in a cam and flames are shooting out the pipes 18 inches away.

Later
'fenders

 

OK Dewayne, let me get this straight. You've spent two years working on that pretty little red truck, just lit the fuse, and now you are sitting in front of your computer before you've got to drive it. Have I got that right? OK, right after you get home from your psychiatrist's appointment tomorrow , may I suggest sneaking out to the garage and STAYING THERE UNTIL IT LEAVES WITH YOU!!! Seriously, congratulations and I'm glad we could each in our own small way help you get where you are with it today. About that P/S leak: Chrysler's were my weapon of choice back in my demolition derby days. Those gears are a wee bit odd compared to a FoMoCo or GM unit. More than once I've seen them puke around the input shaft after the system has been opened up. I think they get air in them. I'd watch it and the fluid level while cycling the steering after the cam is broke in and see if it keeps leaking before you tear into it. Good luck and make sure you take a spin around the block for me!!! Incidently, you do of course realize that it is morally wrong to take a fresh motor out on it's first putt around town with anything more than headers, don't you? How else will the neighbors be able to share in your triumph and achievement?!?

 

Hey Dewayne,

... this is great news.

Wish I can post such event soon, but I guess I am a couple of month away from that. However, all those great people on FTE help me pull thru sooner or later.

I really need to swing by and see your truck when I am in Rockford again as it is just a short drive from there. Unfortunately no plans at the moment.

Greetings from Germany !

 

Dewayne, I'll hoist one for you (cranberry juice). Congratulations.

 

Blue Oval

I want to drive it but we still have "issues" The neighbors think my wife has a thing going with the UPS man. I spend any more money this month she says she's leaving with him. The brakes aren't complete and I need a steering wheel for the Flaming River column. Lets see, which stock ones will fit. I can't decide between a Camaro or a Nova The neighbors are aware it runs.


Kai

If you can make it 5000 miles to Rockford, I could probably drive the last hour or so. We'll set it up some day.


Paul

Go easy on the sauce buddy!

 

Way to go fenders! I should have realized that it's better to fix the "go" part before the "stop" part on these trucks. You're makin' noise and I'm staring at my nice set of brakes. Oh well, in another 4 years I may be listening to a little noise myself. Congratulations!

George

 

DeWayne

I hate your guts !!!!!!!!!!!!!


You're watching flames out of headers and your ears are ringing from engine sounds... and I'm staring at bare frame rails again... it's really not fair I think you cheated...


Way to go man... I know you're happy and I'm sure you wife is too cause the money pit is nearly full !!!!! I fully expect to see it at the Supernationals next year !!!

john

 

Way to go!
You should be proud. Thanks for sharing a happy moment!

 

Glad to hear you have it running. It does us all good to know that someone’s project is coming closer to being completed. These projects take so much time and money and could easily turn into a burden if we didn't occasionally hear a few success stories. Congratulations!

 

Man!! congrats com-rod!! Your success is food for the millions here!That's what DRIVES us!!post pictures!!

 

John

I hate you too man. Your website and posts from '99 are what drove me into this. Now I'm broke and it's your fault. I'll see you at the nats but don't know if the truck will be worthy of the trip by then. We'll see. I am definitely driving it to the Dells next year.

Earl

You are probably the only guy here that is more **** retentive than I am. Your truck will be a good while coming but you will know every nut, bolt and wire was reworked to your satisfaction. Your website e will be 200 pages long.

Thanks to Kenny,Dash and Huntsman for the kind words.

If I had this to do over, I would have got the body semi-straight, put the truck in flat black, assembled it, finish the mechanicals and drive it for awhile to get re-inspired. Unless you have lots of cash for new sheetmetal, I am convinced the bodywork is what causes most of these truck projects to go unfinished.

'fenders

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 29-Oct-02 AT 10:10 PM (EST)]Hmmmm, now THAT is too true! So true that I've decided that when I get my chassis and mechanicals completely finished, I'm going to drop the body back on as-is, hang some big, shiny 17-inch wheels and some fresh skins on it, and drive it all summer that way. If I wait 'til the tin is pretty, it may NEVER see the road again! So what if they laugh? That stupid grin only lasts until the light goes green.

Oh, by the way 'fenders, I lied to ya. I know you've already shelled out for a Flaming River GM repop column, but should you ever decide to screw another one of these trucks together (or purify this one ), don't try to use a full size Econoline column like I told you to. Unless, of course, you LIKE driving with the wheel in your ribs. Guess I should have put the seat in before I opened my mouth! I found just what you were looking for in the boneyard last weekend. '78 F-250. Tilt, automatic, cruise buttons on the wheel, and the ignition switch is on the dash. Plus the length is PERFECT. I even managed to get one that the turn signal switch cancels right on. Just something to remember.