1969 F250 4x4 Highboy 7/9 rubicon

[fomocoguy]

Ryan, you're not the first (and definetly won't be the last) to have the nasty manifold bolt problem, so don't feel too bad. Keep in mind that a lot of guys don't bother with trying to re-thread the holes. You can just put a bolt through there with a nut on the other side and it will hold just the same.

As for the drilling, is there a mill at work? If so maybe you could use a bit the same size as the exhaust bolt to flatten the mucked up surface so you can have a clean spot to center punch and try drilling again. If any of the bolt is hanging out you could grind it smooth and start from there. Otherwise just get a center punch and hit it multiple times at whatever angle you need to hit it at to get a nice pit in the middle of that sucker. Good luck!

[1971ford]

I took them to work and my awesome boss spent some time heating up all the bolts and TIG welding to the remainder of them inside the head, then we finally got them all out. One head's all 8 holes are good as new.
The other manifold has 2 holes that are a little goofed up, or just not as good as new. The other 6 holes are as good as new though.
The 2 that are goofed were drilled out all the way and tapped for the same size bolt. You just have to put the manifold on the head before putting it all on because it has to be perfect for every bolt hole to line up.

Putting it all back together right now.

[fomocoguy]

Awesome! You definetly have a good connection there at work, that's for sure.

[1971ford]

-Tore the drivers side hub apart because that wheel had play in it, turned out to be a loose nut, checked out the bearing and everything else and it looked great so it all went back together nicely.
-Checked out the front brakes - they're brand new, pads and hardware. Still all colorfull too



-The intake gasket was leaking and because a couple of you said there might water in the oil i took it down even further and replaced the head gaskets.
-New exhaust donuts, new exhaust manifold gaskets, new intake gaskets and "The Right Stuff" used on front/rear intake gaskets, New head gaskets, new valve cover gaskets, new valve seals and lapped the valves, new spark plugs and new grade 8 bolts for exhaust manifolds. Cost me about $175 but i sure as heck don't enjoy oil leaks so it had to be done.
Although I looked under the truck yesterday and it seems that 75% of the oil is coming from the rear main seal or something

Inside the 390 it was SUPER clean and this engine must of been rebuilt not too long ago for sure!




Brother and I split the price of a big red box

[Joshpow]

Looking good. Gotta love the FE's. Good engines but lots of fun on the exhaust manifold bolts. Great dad you got there. I would have let you carry the blame if I were him!!!! Just kidding. Looks great though. Keep it up.

[1971ford]

yeah i took them to work and we pulled three broken bolts out using a torch and vice grips. One head has 16 nice threads. The other head has 2 threads in the center of the top row that had to be tapped but they're fine now.


I sold the old 2wd restored leaf springs to a guy 2 minutes from me and he has a 300 I6 he is getting rid of so I'm thinking about it!!!

[Mancar1]

Good read. Nice truck. Good job. You have a good man for a Dad.

[BiggDogg]

Just to be fair, it was me that screwed up trying to drill out the broken bolts in the head. The drill bit kept wanting to drill into the head and not the bolt. It was late and I was pretty PO'd. Mom is not happy about having Ryan commandeer her car for a week. We should have spent Sunday working on it but we had to go to San Jose to buy another Bronco for Ryan's brother. (it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime deals) At least all the broken bolts are in the ears where you can drill them all the way through, not the ones that go straight into the head.
And Ryan, I appreciate you not throwing me under the bus for this but I don't want people to think you did it.

Hey, nice to hear from you again too! Sounds like you guys got a lot of fun things going on around there. One question, has Ryan's mom ever rode in either of the trucks?

[Joshpow]

Yeah hows 1971fordsmom feel about bumps!!?? Will we ever see that username!? We are getting a family deal here with 1971ford! I like it!

[1971ford]

She sticks with her '04 toyota camry... she would never ever consider riding in the race truck, but I think she wouldn't mind riding in the highboy if she had to Since it is actually nice in there. Although the ride is pretty bumpy (well until the 14" coilovers up front next winter and 64" springs in the rear ).

-Got the doors pretty much completed... Sound deadened the door panels (moved sound deadening from door to door panel after picture was taken), painted the door panels, installed them along with arm rests and handles.
-Then I sound deadened the roof and installed the headliner, after cleaning up the headliner trim.
-Then I cut some carpet up for the kick panels, the drivers side is in but not that passenger side yet. Held in by the door sill plate and velcro from behind.
-Dad cut out some 871 stickers. Have to have race number stickers on the chase vehicles at the races and it looks cool so why not Need to cut out a little fordification sticker for the back window













Ignore the wiring mess I'm going to clean that up shortly, still wiring things





This week I'm picking up a 2.5 gallon 150 PSI air tank that will be mounted onboard the truck... Then immediately after I will be installing my air horns (can't live without them!), then later this winter I'll install an onboard compressor so i don't have to keep filling it up and will have onboard air for air tools, filling up tires, etc.
The tank (found pic on interwebz, just going to pick up at 4 wheel parts)

[trukcrazy]

Ryan, you are just a madman with a madman for a dad. Great work you guys.

[ol_ blue]

that seat sure looks comfy . your new daily is way cooler than mine. i think i need to get a 4x4 bump. keep up the great work

[1971ford]

Thanks guys!


And yes... the seat is amazing
It's a fun daily driver, just not as fun as driving the race truck was
Once I get the power steering on and a few other things done it will be pretty luxurious in there.



ohhhhhh and I measured the stroke on the "390" today. Until now I took the previous owners word that it was a 390. Now I KNOW it's a 390

[1971fordsdad]

As far as Ryan's mom is concerned, she is definitely one very tolerant woman. I came home from work the other night to find Ryan's new coilovers for his race truck. I got all happy and started digging through the bag of accessories like a little kid at Christmas time. I said something like "awesome, aren't they cool?" My wifes reply was "yes, but do they have to be in the family room?" Then there was the time that I came home to find that the boys had cleaned the garage. It looked awesome. But then I found Trevor's new front beams for his Bronco behind the couch, and yes, in the family room.

[GSequoia]

But then I found Trevor's new front beams for his Bronco behind the couch, and yes, in the family room.

Well it makes perfect sense that the beams should be in the family room if the majority of the family loves them, right?