BigMike's Front End/Engine Bay Clean-up Thread

[BigMike]

that came out really nice. hope you dont over fill your master cylinder like I did and have it run down the fire wall and f up the paint. yep, im an idiot.

I will be damn sure not to do that now. Thanks for the heads up.

[BigMike]

I was at my buddy's house last night using his sand blast cabinet on the headers. Going to paint them with 2000 degree high heat primer and paint. Don't expect it to hold up but it might for a while.

[BigMike]

I think that I will flip the front clip upside-down and clean the inside of the fenders and the other side of the inner fenders and coat it with spray on undercoating.

[BigMike]

Thursday the engine/trans goes back into the truck. I hope to get it back on the road by the 27th or 28th. The weather is turning colder so I'm going to hold off on painting the grill until Spring. I still have to get the steering column painted. I need to do the steering wheel as well because it got scuffed/chipped up during all of the moving around.

I think I'm going to get some new U-Joints today and rebuild the driveshaft. I'll sand a paint it while I have it apart.

Here's a little FE porn for ya

[slickmainer]

giddy up. did your valve covers have baffles in them? Mine don't have them and oil finds it's way up and out the breather every now and then.

looks good Mike and now that you have all those tools and lifts and stands you can go rebuild another!

[BigMike]

Yes, the valve covers have baffles in them just like the originals. The chrome isn't that great but they were only $46. They should last quite a few years.

I used Stainless Steel allen bolts and washers on them too. Nice touch to finish it off.

[HiBoy63]

Nice work Mike. I like the looks of the Ford blue on that FE. The chrome valve covers are a nice touch too.

[BigMike]

I'm in the process of painting the column and steering wheel today. I'll get some pics up later.

Tomorrow is the big day. The engine and trans goes back in. I should be driving it by this time next week ..... but you guys know how bad my time estimates are

[rickairmedic]

Mike just remember if it isnt running by the 1st of next month theory says it may not next year .


Rick

[BigMike]

Long day in the garage but we got a lot done.

Engine and trans are in, headers are on and exhaust is hooked up. The alternator, power steering pump, and fan are on. I got the new plugs in and the new wires run.

Btw, whoever said the engine and trans can go in as one unit must know a secret trick. I had the engine way in the air and tilted to get the top of the trans to clear and get inside the cab, but the there was 4 inches of cross-member that the trans couldn't get by. We mucked with it for 15 minutes and then bailed. I took the trans off, put the engine in, put the trans on the floor jack and slid it under the truck and reattached it.

[mrgoob]

You should be proud of yourself-that looks great.

[BigMike]

Thanks! I plan to be driving it a couple days after Christmas. Can't wait!

[BigMike]

Getting motivated to finish up the truck the week. Today I want to get the steering completed and the interior put back together. During some quiet time yesterday I went out to the garage and got one of the wiring harnesses on and everything connected. That protective covering sure looks good.



Fill Trans with 50w
Paint radiator
Replace drag link
Paint horn
Install U-Joints on drive-shaft
Install PS cooler and pump pulley
Install brake lines (prop valve to m/c)
Install steering column
Install rear pinion seal
Install drive-shaft
Grease front end
Install front end
Install wiring harness
Fill with coolant and PS fluid
Install hinges and hood brackets

[BigMike]

I'm almost there!!!!

If I get the new core support mounts tomorrow, the front end goes back on and it will be running once I get the radiator and wiring hooked back up.

The new drag link will be here tomorrow so I can get the steering linkages hooked up. I need to go by my buddy's house and use his press to install the U-Joints and hanger bearing.s

I don't see any reason I shouldn't be driving it by Thursday.

[Bill W]

Outstanding Craftsmanship Mike!

[kstones63]

Great looking job Mike.
Two more days and it is drive time???????

Kevin

[foodstick]

holey cr*p !!!!

That is one of the best cases of WHILE I AM IN HERE... I have ever seen !

Its easy to get sidetracked and get more and more torn down, when you go in for some cleanup work, but you have been EPIC on this job !


well done.

[BigMike]

holey cr*p !!!!

That is one of the best cases of WHILE I AM IN HERE... I have ever seen !

Its easy to get sidetracked and get more and more torn down, when you go in for some cleanup work, but you have been EPIC on this job !


well done.

Why, I have no idea what you're talking about

A 4 day project turns into 5 weeks with a budget of $900 that turned into around $2000? "While I'm in there" has kicked my ass and my wallet, but she sure will be purty.

[slickmainer]

seems all projects end up being twice as much if not more

[BigMike]

We got everything pretty much wrapped up today except for the driveshaft. My brother in law did a fantastic job cleaning the inside of the fenders and then gave them a coat of POR15. I sprayed on some undercoating after that.

I have a funeral to go to at 11 tomorrow so I don't think I'll get it done until Friday. Maybe tomorrow afternoon I'll get the driveshaft done and installed. Then Friday morning we can set the front end on it, connect some hoses and wires, and pray it starts and there are no leaks.