The Cadillac :
I was able to tear down the front end, finding the original timing chain set, which was very worn. Engines are an exact science, close enough just doesn't count....
The LTD :
I receive... View MoreThe Cadillac :
I was able to tear down the front end, finding the original timing chain set, which was very worn. Engines are an exact science, close enough just doesn't count....
The LTD :
I received the new head gasket set today, hopefully, tomorrow, I can get it back together.
The 77 F150 :
I replaced the battery cables, with heavier gauge cable, this time in heat resistant loom that will help prevent the cable from melting due to header pipes. I also received new valve cover gaskets, as the old ones were leaking, and I had to remove a wad of silicone that was installed to replace the PCV valve.
I also found a chunk of the old one under the valve cover. I still have a few things I need to do before I can start it.
Hopefully I'll have it running by the weekend.
The 1959 Galaxie/Fairlane :
As the song goes "It's been a long road to get from there to here. It's been a long time, but the time is finally here".
The drivers side rocker panel has been replaced an... View MoreThe 1959 Galaxie/Fairlane :
As the song goes "It's been a long road to get from there to here. It's been a long time, but the time is finally here".
The drivers side rocker panel has been replaced and welded in very well !
I only had to do a little Bondo work to make it look good.
Today, I was able to prime the rocker panel and fender. Then, painted the drivers side its first coat, and the engine room's second coat. I was also able to temporarily set the driver's side fender in place for painting.
The new hardware I ordered for it was lost in the mail. So, now I have to order another set after they refunded me.
Always something getting in the way of progress.
Been a busy couple of weeks.
The 79 F100. After freeing the engine, I gave it a compression check, it uniformly failed badly, compression ranged from 60-105 with oil in each cylinder. With those read... View MoreBeen a busy couple of weeks.
The 79 F100. After freeing the engine, I gave it a compression check, it uniformly failed badly, compression ranged from 60-105 with oil in each cylinder. With those readings it will require a full engine rebuild, I explained everything to customer and repeated the compression tests with them.
They decided to go ahead and rebuild it.
The LTD is cleaned, and ready to go back together, just waiting on the last set of gaskets I need for it.
The 59 Ford galaxy Fairlane 500 is going back together beautifully. Things are lining up better than when I took it apart...
The 77 F150 is doing well. The previously misinstalled new electronic dash has now been installed correctly, along with the rats nest of bad wiring that was installed, cut up, tied up, etc...
The Cadillac is still being a royal pain in my gluteus maximus. The only thing left is timing chain/cam shaft timing, which I can't get to until I get some of the other projects back together....
I've GOT to confess my "sins" once in awhile. Don't want the world to think bad of me, but gotta be real, too, and get people to understand that ain't nothing for free. Sometimes, hard lessons are req... View MoreI've GOT to confess my "sins" once in awhile. Don't want the world to think bad of me, but gotta be real, too, and get people to understand that ain't nothing for free. Sometimes, hard lessons are required, but can also be quite convenient. A large sense of humour can really refresh the soul, and I'M VERY REFRESHED right now. Can't help it. One of my customers brought me a 1979 Ford truck that hasn't run in over ten years with 3/4 tank of gas. I sniffed it, and sure enough it'd varnished. That's a lot of gas to haul to a recycling facility. Well, I decided to spread the gift. I towed it into the ditch 'longside the road near my house, with the rear wheels in the ditch and the engine up. Yeah, I pulled the coil wire and locked it. Next day, it was empty. SOMEBODY siphoned it. Thankfully, now my problem is solved.
Now, going to say my "Hail Mary's" and tow it back. My bad.
This week has been a real challenge...
I had three things left to do on the 71 LTD. Thermostat, transmission oil pan gasket, and vacuum modulator...
Until....... I found the radiator down, and the o... View MoreThis week has been a real challenge...
I had three things left to do on the 71 LTD. Thermostat, transmission oil pan gasket, and vacuum modulator...
Until....... I found the radiator down, and the oil "milky."
Yesterday, I found that it was caused by a head gasket that was reused and put on backwards by the previous "mechanic", allowing things to talk that never should. Now I get to clean, inspect, and paint a whole new batch of parts.
The 77 F150 is coming along. The new radiator is installed, along with the straighting the radiator support, and bumper mounts. The customer is going to send me a new fender.
I know it won't ever be perfect again, but it's getting better, and things are starting to fit right once again.
The 79 F100 developed an issue while trying to bar it over, there is one area it just won't pass from either direction. I checked the valve train thinking it might be a sticking valve, finding 5 rusted rockers. One rusted enough it will require replacement. But, it's still sticking in that one spot, hopefully with oil and time it will work loose.
The rest of the projects are also coming along slowly, waiting parts and time.
Yesterday I was able to run the 1977 F150 after doing a compression check Saturday and filling it up with water.
The skip is now gone, the only thing I can think is it must of been a loose wire. I wa... View MoreYesterday I was able to run the 1977 F150 after doing a compression check Saturday and filling it up with water.
The skip is now gone, the only thing I can think is it must of been a loose wire. I was then able to tune the carburetor and get it properly adjusted. I heard the unmistakable sound of a cam, albeit a mild version, to go along with the 4bbl Holley, Edelbrock intake manifold, and headers.
I then found the vacuum hoses were hooked up all wrong, allowing the full engine vacuum to pull on the distributor vacuum advance, sucking the diagram right out of it.
When I went to test drive it to check the rest of the drive line, I found the shift linkage wasn't right. "P" for park was reverse, and everything was off. After getting into it, I found the linkage cross rod ears were bent and binding, pulling everything out of adjustment. Most likely residual damage from the wreck. I was able to straighten it today, then got side tracked on another project I discuss later in this post. In the next couple of days, after the rain, I should get it back together and in adjustment so what you see on the indicator, is what gear you are in.
Today Shalar "Dean" Sellers came by with his mobile welding outfit. and together we got the new rocker panel tacked then mostly welded on the 1959 Ford galaxy Fairlane project ! Might not look beautiful right now, but when he is done it will look fantastic. It is already welded on more than out of the factory did in1959 with spot welds.
Yesterday, also received yet another project. This 1979 Ford F100. With a 302 engine and 4 speed manual transmission. It has been sitting for over 10 years, it will take a lot of time to bring it around. Today, I started the process by putting Marvel Mystery Oil in all the cylinders so it can begin to work it's magic, along with blowing down the engine to remove all the debris you see in these pictures.
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Jim GroeplerFounder