Got a pickup...back on track again

[Jrs3800]

Curt, does that Truck have the 4R70W Trans?

[clm2112]

Curt, does that Truck have the 4R70W Trans?

Yes, trans is a 4R70W. Axles are 3.55 Dana 44's

Still whittling away at this. Got an hour in last night. Got the AIR injection crossover pipe off, fuel injectors and rails out, EGR pipe off the manifold (came off clean, which I was worried about), and finished up for the night by disconnecting the harness wiring at the fuse block and off the top of the motor. It needs checked over and wrapped..found a couple of bare spots where the insulation was scraped off. I do like the way Ford did the wiring...one big connector and all the engine wiring separates from the chassis wiring.

I foresee another run to LKQ in my future to pick up another engine harness for spare connectors and wiring. I also want to see if there is supposed to be a bracket off the back of the pass side head to support the AIR Injector valves. When I have them mocked up in the living room, I'll be able to see if any of the mounting holes in the valve assembly match up with the holes in the head.

I was at the point where I was going to drain the block but had to call it quits...Carolyn needed tech support on her writing assignment ( her mother emailed the assignment in word 2007 and Carolyn couldn't get it converted to use.) by the time that was done, it was getting dark.

I'm going to try and remove the intake manifold and heads with the accessories still on the motor. Looks like I can remove the bolts connecting the cast aluminum brackets to the heads and leave them attached to the block. We'll see how that goes.

[LeSabreUltra]

I foresee another run to LKQ in my future to pick up another engine harness for spare connectors and wiring. I also want to see if there is supposed to be a bracket off the back of the pass side head to support the AIR Injector valves. When I have them mocked up in the living room, I'll be able to see if any of the mounting holes in the valve assembly match up with the holes in the head.

I'm not sure if you saw my post on the last page, but while you're there you might want to consider ripping a bigger trans cooler than the one you've got off of something.
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[PRD2BDF]

Oh my god, oh my god, I need MOAR pictures!

I'm experiencing build-up/resto/mods withdrawals....

[clm2112]

Oh my god, oh my god, I need MOAR pictures!

Um, have you considered switching to decaf

Anywho, not much new to report. I'm only getting an hour or so in each night. Tonight was rather pleasant, a storm coming knocked the temps down and provided some shade. Managed to remove the valve covers, fan, and fan shroud before I had to quit and make dinner for my daughter.

Start of session



End of session



Till tomorrow.

[clm2112]

I'm not sure if you saw my post on the last page, but while you're there you might want to consider ripping a bigger trans cooler than the one you've got off of something.

At present, no, I haven't given it any additional thought. It does have the aux transmission cooler (4PC Heavy Duty Cooling) and it is plumbed in much the same way as the Bonnie & Aftermarket coolers. Fluid runs through a loop in the radiator core, then through a seperate cooler on the front of the radiator, then back to the transmission.

Someone replaced the radiator at some point with an aluminum one that is pretty darn thick. Before launching into any radiator & transmission mods, I'm going to focus on just getting it running again without any leaks. (Try not to get too far ahead of myself...it's already been sitting in my driveway for several weeks when it should be out on the road.)

[LeSabreUltra]

I'm not sure if you saw my post on the last page, but while you're there you might want to consider ripping a bigger trans cooler than the one you've got off of something.

At present, no, I haven't given it any additional thought. It does have the aux transmission cooler (4PC Heavy Duty Cooling) and it is plumbed in much the same way as the Bonnie & Aftermarket coolers. Fluid runs through a loop in the radiator core, then through a seperate cooler on the front of the radiator, then back to the transmission.

Someone replaced the radiator at some point with an aluminum one that is pretty darn thick. Before launching into any radiator & transmission mods, I'm going to focus on just getting it running again without any leaks. (Try not to get too far ahead of myself...it's already been sitting in my driveway for several weeks when it should be out on the road.)

Hmm, interesting...

I'm not sure what 4PC entails. I know ours did have an external auxiliary cooler, but it was tiny. I don't think there was really anything heavy duty about it. At biggest it was about half the size of the coolers that most of us run on our H Bodies, so if it's bigger than that you're probably good to go.

Additionally we only had problems if we tried to use the A/C, things would heat up and the trans would stop shifting right. This was on the stock radiator more than likely. Solution was to just not use A/C.
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[GonneVille]

Curt, do you have any idea how lucky you got with that body? Compared to anything you're gonna find north of the panhandle, that thing is spotless. I haven't seen an 80s/early 90s truck of any brand that clean in years.

And don't you love the coffee-can vacuum reservoirs? I laughed about those every time we worked on my Dad's 87, but they work, and they last practically forever without rusting through. Ford really did build a great truck back then. My Dad's 87 F-250 was a bit modified(1-ton rear and plow front with extra leafs all around). He went up to the local hardware store for gravel one time, told the guy to just fill it till it started to sag. gravel started coming over the top before the suspension was halfway down...weighed out at 3 tons of gravel in the bed...any truck with a frame that can take that kind of abuse is worthy of respect!

BTW, I don't remember whether that generation of Ford had this issue, but check the back side of the rocker panels. I know later generation had open holes in there that would let in and trap water and mud. If that thing has them, and it's clean in there, you might want to think about sealing the rockers before taking it to PA.

[clm2112]

And don't you love the coffee-can vacuum reservoirs?

Yeah, there must have been a deal with some can make

A little more modification coming... front receiver hitch has been ordered!

Another hour on the project last night before I had to go pick up Carolyn at her evening class. I got the radiator drained, flushed the heater core out. Started working on the block drains but had to get a new tool. The regular 1/4" allen keys I have just weren't working (Steel pipe plugs with sealant on them in a hard to reach location.) Stopped by Sears on the way to the school to get a 3/8 socket with a 1/4" allen bit. With any luck that will handle the block drain plugs. Once drained, I can flush out the block before taking off the heads.

I'll also make a stop at West Marine for another pair of brass block drain fittings. While intended for marine engines to drain the saltwater out of the blocks, they are handy enough to have on car engines too.

[clm2112]

A bit more progress. Valve covers, new roller lifters, pushrods, head bolts. Still scrubbing away on the intake manifold to get it clean enough to take a coat of paint. Perhaps this Sat will be reassembly day.

[wake]

that thing is gonna be sick when your done..doing anything with the transmission ?

[clm2112]

I haven't given much thought about the transmission or transfer case. Been doing a fair amount of research on the parts and the alternatives should something major break.

Should the automatic transmission take a dump, I would switch to a manual transmission. First thought would be an M5OD-R2 that would have been stock in this year, or an NP435 from an older F-series. Really, if it came down to that, it would be whatever looked easiest to install.

For the moment though, I need to use this vehicle and stay focused on the stuff that needs done.

[clm2112]

Ok, worked all day on this, except for running a load of clothes through the washer and stopping for a dunch of hotdogs.

Sooner or later, everything that passes through my hands gets at least one "modification"... no exceptions this time around. One thing I feel the F150 may someday need is an electric radiator fan. Yeah, the mechanical fan is adequate, but there are times when it's really handy to have the radiator fan running (like extended idling.) The manifold didn't have enough pipe plug ports in it to support an extra fan switch, but there was a cast in boss in the rear corner that connected to the water jacket on #4 cylinder. So, on to the drill press the manifold went..





Tada...extra port in the manifold. Add a GM fan switch and scrounge an electric fan & relay (perhaps the Ford will acquire it's first Bonneville parts ...every other vehicle around here wound up with something on it from a Bonneville, why should this one get left out.

So, I close this evening with a pile of painted parts drying, along with a sink full of fasteners that need cleaned. I'd love to splurge on a bunch of stainless hardware, but for the moment I'll clean up the stuff from the F150 (along with the stuff from the old 302 boat motor) and use the best ones in hand to reassemble with.

[00Beast]

That looks really good Curt!!

[clm2112]

That looks really good Curt!!

Thanks, it's getting there. When all the painted parts have cured, then get a couple of coats of Dupont Nason clear on them to make the finish glossy and fuel proof (grease and grime will just slide right off that finish...I hope )

The gray valve covers are stamped steel originals repainted. I don't expect that gray to last long, but I plan on getting a pair of cast Ford racing valve covers at a later date (one made for the F150 with all the holes in the right places.) Just wasn't ready to blow $140 on a pair now. Spent it on more important things, like the figgin $80 tool to properly install the rear main seal on the crank. I've got two to do already..the spare shortblock in the pictures along with the 302 for the Galaxie. That will make the motors ready to use when needed.

Messing with the Ford has kind of made me have second thoughts on some of the other projects. Here I am working on another fuel injection vehicle, and the F150's controller is pretty forgiving. Perhaps the Galaxie will get the same setup as the truck. The two have about the same weight, gearing, and dimensions...and there's plenty of room in the nose of Galaxie for all the F150's stuff, emissions equipment and all. All the people hunting for the coolest Mustang parts seem to forget the simpler truck motors out there, so parts have been mercifully easy and cheap to come by so far.

[clm2112]

And another day in the books....



Throttle body is all taken apart and soaking in carb cleaner. Need to find the little plastic linkage between the bell cranks. Noticed that one end was busted and the plates that make up the bell cranks were bent. The dent in the hood corresponds with the top of the TB, so it probably has been busted for quite some time. It still works, but I'd rather have one that clips on the ball joint properly. Just have to walk around LKQ with a screwdriver for a little while until I find one to raid.

[clm2112]

Oops..




Actually, it's not an oops. Three friends showed up after work. In about an hour, the bed was off and loaded on the flatbed.

Now I can weld a patch over the hole in the back corner of the cab, remove that weight off the back of the cab, and paint the frame from the cab back.

[gonzo4191]

she is clean! wish our 97 was that clean, keep the pics coming!

[clm2112]

Got home, changed clothes, got a bucket and a scrub-brush. Off to the races until the mosquitoes came out in force.



Got the weight off the back of the cab, and rinsed the truck down. Here's the one rust hole in the truck, there was a bunch of wet sand packed into the corner of the inside cab here, so it rusted from the inside out. I have to grind out the rusted metal to clear the hole so this weekend I get some instruction on welding from the guys at work (they are the pros with all the certs, so school is in session for me the amateur.)



Meanwhile, I can start sanding down sections of the frame and painting them with POR-15 from just under the cab to the rear of the frame while I have daylight, then finish up the last couple of pieces for the motor.

The 8' flatbed might get here this weekend too. It just gets wire brushed down, painted, and mounted (it's coming from another Ford F150 with the same frame length, so it should go right on.) Still have to check to see if LKQ is going to be open this coming Monday...if so, quick parts run in the morning for a 88-91 H-Body radiator fan, F150/Bronco throttle linkage, and a pair of front fender liners. That should be enough to wrap this project up and start driving it day to day.

When this is all said and done, this thing is going to be the Uber-Parts-Hauler... never more will the trunk of the Bonnie have to haul an engine block to the machine shop, nor will I have to plan out how to get something home one section at a time. Need the front end of an H-Body? No sweat, load the whole thing on the back in one chunk.

[Jrs3800]

Never noticed this, but that is a Dual Tank Truck.... Talk about Range...lol

Looks like its all coming together nicely Curt..

Are you going to do Flowmaster for the Exhaust ? Noticed the piping under there looks like its pea shooter size..