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It's been quite some time since I've logged on here, and I was, surprisingly, greeted with a 20-year member badge at the same time...I really need to wrap up this project. Yes, the project is still active and progressing. Since the last post, accomplishments have been mostly dedicated to various odds and ends, but moving forward as free time permits.
COMPLETED:
-Set valve lash on all 16 valves
-Installed restored/NOS valve covers with new gaskets and grommets, and re-plated original hardware
-Disassemble NOS oil pump, cleaned, assembled, and installed with new gasket, pickup tube seal, and pickup screen using re-plated original hardware
-Installed front timing cover seal, timing cover, and restored water pump using re-plated original hardware and new gaskets
-Installed restored oil pan with new gasket and re-plated original hardware
-Gapped and installed correct NOS Champion 860 spark plugs
-Brake and clutch pedals media blasted and powder coated
-Pedal box and bracket media blasted and powder coated
-Interior air vents, fresh air heater block-off plate, and fuel tank straps, engine compartment brackets, engine crankcase vent, radiator fan, and radiator core seal support powder coated
-Re-chromed exterior door handles, front hood badge, all interior handles, windshield wiper bezels, and all dash bezels
-Stripped benck seat assembly down to bare springs in preparation for media blast and powder coat
-Obtained an assortment of used hardware (for re-plating) during several visits to a couple classic car junkyards
-Collected more NOS parts
UPCOMING:
-Send NOS exhaust manifolds out for cast iron gray ceramic coating
-Send NOS exhaust crossover tube out for black ceramic coating
-Re-plate headlight housing trim bezels
-Send re-plated dash bezels out for black lettering enamel
-Strip and re-plate another batch of fasteners and hardware in zinc and black phosphate
-Collect more NOS parts
Last edited by transam525; Feb 23, 2026 at 01:39 PM.
Really good to see some new pics on this edifice of a truck! That engine looks great and that chrome is so nice and complete.
What are you using to protect the painted fasteners on installation?
Really good to see some new pics on this edifice of a truck! That engine looks great and that chrome is so nice and complete.
What are you using to protect the painted fasteners on installation?
Thank you! For the painted fasteners, I use a plastic socket insert to protect against marring. All the original fasteners were stripped in a vibratory tumbler down to the bare metal and then taken to a local facility and re-plated in their original and correct finish (zinc, cadmium, and black phosphate). The company I use focuses on large industrial jobs, but they fit my parts in when able for a cash payment.
Once the pushrod cover and intake are installed, I'll have the engine professionally painted in the correct 90% gloss black. All the engine-attaching components are restored and ready for installation thereafter. I elected to have the oil pan powder coated for durability against road debris.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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.
