Oh Clint, heck no there aint no hard feelings! And what do you mean imposing? I'm only doing this to do my part for the project. Remember, I volunteered. Maybe not to leave the engine in the back of the truck all winter, but that's just the way it goes. No harm, no foul. It's hard to express one's self with a key board. Stating things firmly can be mistaken for frustration.
Actually when I posted, I just got done moving that sucker into my 05 from my 74, and didn't have an engine puller. I used a furnature dolly, on a fairly steep driveway. Gravity was working with me, but helped just a little too much. I was struggling to avoid damaging my 05. I don't plan on ever buying another truck, and really try to keep it nice. They just cost way too much these days and I only have so long before I'm an old retired guy, so I don't figure a new truck is ever going to be in the cards again.

I know it's been a long winter, and the passes have not been real inviting to travel. But now, with this meet in Lodi, I thought I would go ahead and load that engine up and get it over the big hill. Well, I didn't expect it would be so hard by myself. Bad planning on my part, to decide to try it myself. Once I had it between trucks, on both tailgates, I was committed. Yikes! (Life's full of challenges) My neighbor drove by and didn't even offer to help. I guess he was on the way somewhere and didn't want to get greasy, but dang, I was about to blow a vein on my neck fighting with that sucker against gravity.


I'm glad you're felling better Clint, and that things are easing up for you. I'm looking forward to meeting you (and all the other folks) at the upcoming meet.

Where did you say Mike lives? Just a couple of miles from the park? Hopefully Mike can send me a pm or something, and we can get a plan together, since the engine's going that way. I wasn't sure where it was going to end up. I thought I had read something about Dan's place??? But whatever, I'll get it to MG Park and we'll send it the right direction from there.

 

I tried that once John. I was trying to reposition a 460 block years ago in the back of my old 73 highboy. Funny thing was, I did have an engine puller that time that I had borrowed from a friend, but was just too lazy to set it up. Arrg.
When I hit the brakes, the engine slid back and totally ruined my new tailgate. I suppose that if I was going to unload it, it would have worked out very well, as I would have had the tail gate down. Doooh. My "friends" really got a kick out of that one.

 

Does anyone need any F250 Rims? I have a set of 8" x 16.5 Crome slotted rims, and also a set of the skinny stock Highboy 16.5 rims off of a 73. Both sets come with the tires on them, but the tires aren't exactly loaded with tread. Tired of looking at them.

If someone wants them, let me know and I'll try to fit them into my shortbed, along with that engine and trans. Not sure if I can fit them in but if you want them, I'll sure try.
Spring cleaning is coming up and they're going to the dump.

 

Tim, I'm going to be there with my truck so I can throw my cherry picker in the back. I guess Mike's not gonna be able to make it down till later in the day so if needs be we can load into my truck and I can deliver it up to him. That way we have a couple of options if anything comes up, so not to worry, you won't have to haul it home again.

 

Thanks Dan. That rests my mind at ease. I found some extra parts in my garage and threw them in as well. The engine was missing a valve cover and I had one in my garage from an old 460. They are a little different, as mine says "Powered By Ford" on top but it should bolt up. Also, the plate between the engine and trans got kind of bent up when I moved it between trucks, but I had another one in the garage that I threw in. The old one could be hammered back straight but I figured just in case, it might come in handy. Also a flywheel. However, I'm not sure how the two FW's are balanced. The one I threw in appears to be externally balanced and the one on the engine might possibly be internally balanced. In any case, I threw it in just in case it can be used.

 

No worries.

dan,

No need to haul your cherry picker all the way down, Ill bring mine up and a few chains

Don't worry Tim, we'll relieve from you

Ill probably take the slow road up in the old deisel Chevy...when you guys hear the sound of clackeling in you ear...means I'm getting close


Okay,

So seems Jim and Clint may not make it...but since Dan is going to Clints later (right?) I'll still bring Jims heater and cruise control to have him drop it off at Clints, since they are only 20 minutes away from each other.

Tim....

If you have a way to load the 3/4 ton rear into your truck too...I met someone who's in dire need of one. If you need to clear your space of it, toss it in if you can, and I'll find a home for it....I had told them I knew "a guy" who wanted to get rid of one cheap...so might be able to make up your gas bill for the ride home anyway.

Let me know.

 

Mike, it was my intention to bring the truck to your place so Dan would not have to drive to Fresno, but it would be either this Sunday, or one day next week. I thought you were OK with this - best speak now if you do not want to store it for a few days.

Also, I thought Tim had a posi-track rear we were going to use on the project truck.

 

It is not looking good for me. The trip up to Dan's cost more in gas than was budgeted, and now I am in the hole. With next payday being rent payday, it is going to be impossible for me to be able to go that far north and pay rent out of the same check.

 

Jim, don't be silly - it is only 100 miles! Leave the truck at home (you are not going to be using the camper anyway), and drive your car. Pack an ice chest full of sandwiches and go enjoy yourself!

No one cares what you drive . . . If I go I will take liz's Taurus, and that is as sorry a car as Ford ever built.

 

Car?!?! what car? I don't own a car. I sold both Rabbits to finance the purchase of the truck. And the Ranger is still in Oregon. So, the only way I can drive up there is to take the camper.

BTW it is 125.7 miles to the park from here, and at todays fuel prices that means I will be spending $90 for gas to get there, and return. That does not include any food or drinks, or the park entrance fee. And I cannot afford this out of my rent paycheck

 

Clint, the only rear I have is the stock rear from a 76 Highboy. They came with a limited slip from the factory. Not true posi. It's just the Dana 60 housing and 4.10 gears. The brakes are not mounted on it.
I would think that for mud boggin a locker would be what you'd want.

Mike, I don't know if I can get that rear end in the truck. There may not be room along with the engine and trans, as my truck is a short bed. But I will look at it again and see if there is a way to get it in. Of course, without a cherry picker, it might be another challenge. I'll see what I can do. No promises though.
If you can get a few bucks for it, give it to the treasurer for the project truck. Oh yeah, that's you. Ha ha.
Yeah, anyway, just put any profits toward the Chapter project mudder truck.
That is, if the rear isn't needed for the project. Of course if it is needed for the project, then I suppose we shouldn't sell it eh?
Whatever, I'll try to get it over there anyway. We'll see if I can get 'er done. Or even lift it into the bed around the engine. That's one big engine.

 

Jim, you could always shame Clint into going to the meet. That way, you guys could go in half on the gas.

 

My understanding was that we were going to use that rer end, Tim. It matches the 4.09 Dana 44 front that I bought. Limited slip is still better than an open diff and we can always upgrade later when we stumble across a locker of some sort...(and I'm sure we will!)

 

The project truck has a 3.54 open rear with new brakes - I guess it is a dana 60, but I am not sure. I thought Jim might want it, once we got the truck running. I wouldn't want to turn it lose before we tested the other rear end out.

 

I had thought Dan was heading down to your place?

I'm confused..

But I won't be here tomorrow until maybe 5-ish, have a horseshow to go too...so next weekend would be best.