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Post by 87B2XLT on Jan 14, 2008 17:01:52 GMT -5
Well, all the pieces of the MSD ignition install puzzle have arrived as of 3 hours ago. I got the ignition box mounted and most of the wiring done (don't have any more large splice connectors for the main power leads), just have to re-gap plugs, install the new spark plug wires, finish wiring and make it all look 'pretty'. That will be tomorrow's task (early darkness in the evenings tend to make it difficult to do things, since I don't have a drop light that works), and when it's all done, I'll post up the finished product pictures. On an unrelated to this mod note, found out I have some pieces of bark in the bead on the driver's rear left tire. Going to try and get it out of there without having to remove the wheel and breaking the bead. I didn't notice any out-of-balance rotation on the way home from Harold's, so I am hoping that the bead didn't partially break and the tire rotate off-balance on the wheel in the process. We'll see.
Dave G
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Post by CORE 4WD on Mar 17, 2008 20:34:04 GMT -5
Dave, glad I could get you hooked up with that axle today...
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Post by 87B2XLT on Mar 17, 2008 20:42:50 GMT -5
Yeah, thank you Dave and Billy for bringing the 44 and offloading it at the storage... now, all I need to do is get the 9" in there and then finish packing that unit in with the junk I plan on keeping until I get back stateside.... As much as I would have liked to see the axle swap done before going to Japan as I said, I must say that it will have to wait for another day to be determined. Maybe I can swing some leave time and fly back and load up the axles and take 'em down and get 'em in before year's end.... I can only hope! ;D OFFICIAL CURRENT STATUS: Project on standby until further notice (hopefully, it doesn't take ME 13 years to complete ;D )
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Post by 87B2XLT on Aug 13, 2009 12:10:04 GMT -5
Where to go on this. Here's what the future may or may not hold, depending:
- I have an '84 chop top 5 hours East of Reno, NV that has the top chopped from it that is a candidate for a ground up build that I may get that will be the recipient of the EB axles originally intended for this one.
- I have an '89 in North Carolina I just bought that will probably be more of a mall-rated project (separate thread to come) that I still have to go pick up.
- I have a '90 model parts truck in TN I may be getting for another future project that might serve as a parts donor for this one, depending on what front axle and axle ratio it has and whatever other odds and ends I can take from it for this one. I'd like to find out if the '90 is an originally manual transmission equipped vehicle or not. That could be key to some ideas I have.
Just wanted to jot down some random thoughts here. Everything is on hold until I return home from Japan for good.
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Post by 87B2XLT on Jan 24, 2010 3:02:18 GMT -5
Looking forward to reviving this thread here in the next few months. The immediate plans I have for the '87 include fixing a cowl vent trough drainage problem that has been dumping water into the floorboards - at least that is my best guess of what is going on, repairing a stress crack on the driver's side floorboard that was at 1/2" in length and was around 2 or more inches long when I checked it while on emergency leave, and some new brake hoses - had an issue with a caliper seizing up and not sure if the hoses are going or what, but gotta get it all figured out. Also along with the drainage and floorboard repair, I'm probably going to go ahead and remove the seats and carpet and roll-in or spray-in some bedliner stuff, since I can get it at Wally world, if I remember right. I'm sure I'll find it somewhere so I don't have to order it online . It hasn't helped that the thing has been sitting for the most part and not being driven regularly for roughly a year or so Also, will be planning a trip in the Spring to be coming out to pick up the '89 from NC and empty out my storage in VB. I might post up in the "Help Wanted" section when the time comes, since I know I will need help loading up the axles onto the trailer ;D Dave G
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Post by 87B2XLT on May 2, 2010 21:37:09 GMT -5
Okay, some somewhat belated info. For starters, not necessarily part of the build-up, but I did get some things done over the last few days. Last (only?) trip I had gone to Oak Ridge, a diagnostic issue came up related to the EGR. Well, I finally got around to getting some parts and finally got it cleared after replacing the EGR valve and sensor (that turned out not needing to be replaced, possibly... I didn't swap it back to the old one to check). I had also noticed for some time when I drove the thing that the temp gauge seemed to be inaccurate. This recently developed to it barely coming off of "C" at all. My thoughts were "it's probably the sensor, but since it's been a while since the system has been flushed, etc., and I don't know what condition the thermostat is in, might as well....". Well, I got the sensor in during the process of flushing it and it seemed to show it running hotter than I expected. Already had a new thermostat and radiator cap but was questioning the fan clutch, as it was probably the original or maybe had only been replaced once. Well, in the process of replacing the thermostat, two things happened that you usually don't want to happen, OTHER than the water outlet housing cracking all to bits: One bolt snapped off at the head during removal, and on re-install, another bolt didn't want to tighten. The first issue was finally resolved after another trip to the store for an extractor set, the second issue got resolved by some creativity and spare fasteners in my Uncle's shop. Got that and the fan clutch swap done and got it all together and filled completely with coolant after a couple of burps and then ran it. Still running a little higher by gauge than I'd like (for those of you who know what older Fords' gauge looks like, it's steady at the "O" in "NORMAL"), but it's running without any coolant leaks, so I am happy. I didn't want to think about doing the water pump - it doesn't leak, and it seems to be moving coolant - and hopefully do not regret not replacing it anytime soon. During all this, I was hoping that a hesitation would quit, but it hasn't and further diagnostics that didn't include the use of a timing light, but rather a vacuum gauge (was checking for leaks troubleshooting the EGR issue) revealed that the timing might be a little retarded or there may possibly be some wear and tear on things and I may have to replace some pieces and parts. The overall symptoms are indicative of a timing issue (timing a little off or component wear) or a failing ignition module / distributor pickup. There's also the usual possible issue with the IAC valve being dirty (why Ford would put the IAC suction right where the PCV and EGR dump into the intake, I have NO idea ), so those two are next on the TLC maintenance list. Today, I got started on something else in relation to the water in the floorboards. I removed the seats and carpet (which was still pretty drenched from last night's rain - mostly on the driver's side... and I was pulling pine needles out of the lower vents and kick panel areas) and put the rear seat bottoms in finger tight and laid the passenger seat on it's side in the cab and only fully mounted the driver's seat so I could drive it to move it around or whatever. I also got the crack hammered 'back together' (you could see daylight through the floorboard ) for now. Not sure when I'm going to weld the crack up since I may have to buy a MIG to do it unless I can ask my cousin's ex-husband if he still has his and if so, can I use it or possibly see if one of the muffler shops in town will weld it up for me. I may just buy the MIG since I know I'll probably put it to good use ;D Once that is done, though, then I'll prep it up for doing the bedliner flooring as well as address the drainage/leak issue into the floorboards. At least hopefully now there won't be any more rust developing. I'll upload the pics i took today and link them up later. Dave G
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Post by 87B2XLT on Feb 27, 2011 1:14:55 GMT -5
Still running on the warm side when run, water pump may be having issues -- so it's getting replaced, just in case. I may do a 4.0L clutch swap and then start gathering the pieces and parts to do the EB axle swap -- to include replacing leaking seals due to 18+ months of axle storage, if not more. The trusty 2.9 will remain in place until I can warm-over the 302 and find the other pieces of that puzzle. I still have to 'finish' the crack repair and get the inside herculined. I had to replace the @#$%^&*! brake hoses last August, which kind of negates things, since they're going to get replaced anyhow. With all my medical setbacks, it's just been hard to keep up with everything. I may take it to Barnwell soon after I get it running cooler and see if I can't break the clutch before replacing it... got the fever and itch for some 'wheelin!
Dave G
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Post by 87B2XLT on Jan 28, 2016 21:42:03 GMT -5
This one might get a transplant if I can salvage the engine from the '89. If the engine isn't a total loss, I'll just put new 4.0 clutch mod parts on it after I get it fixed and drop it in. Thing keeps blowing water pump seals and I haven't had time to fool with it. Working nights has not been very beneficial to getting anything done, nor has the logistic displacement between house and "the used car lot". Otherwise, all is well and I'm doing fine despite having to have another hernia surgery this past Summer. Beep beep.
Dave G
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