Big Red 69

[TNIceWolf]

Tried out posting a video finally. It can be seen here. Hope I did it right and have things in the proper topics.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 62&t=50406

If it works then I can go ahead and install the temporary oil pressure gauge and post a video of the reading for those that are interested in that both before and after the work.

[TN Tehya]

[quote="TNIceWolf"]Ok.........here is the news as of late.

Yesterday was Miss Yvonnes birthday.........and as much as I love a bump I wasnt really ready to wear one upside my head for not spending the day with her.
She did allow me however a few minuites of wrench time and diagnosis. So I changed the oil and filter yet again using what I had on hand. Meaning a blend of 3 quarts 15/40 and 2 quarts of 20/50 and a new filter. The old oil came out smelling and thinned out looking from gasoline. ( am pretty sure it is flushed out now)
That didnt cure the knock or low oil light.


Right Darlin... You are so abused..

[TNIceWolf]

Wow........here we are one month later.In that time the old workhorse has become my daily driver while I sort out some issues on Miss Yvonnes truck.

I must admit that this engine is surprising me in its actions.Bearing in mind that this thing has just sat for most of the six years I have owned it I am sure I shouldnt be surprised what just a little exercise will do for an older engine. Now I only drive about 12 miles one way to work and twelve miles back a day plus whatever running needs done to pay bills and such.
And thats a good thing considering the mileage and sort of balky engine behavior I was getting at first.But some things have changed with a months worth of regular use.

The idle is more smooth and even now and much less " choppy " sounding.
Fuel mileage has increased weekly. Not much.........but every little bit counts with an FE.
The rear main oil leak has slowed a great deal........and I mean by like 75%
The steering is losing the points where it tended to sort of hang or stick at some points.
The brakes while they worked great after the work I did on them are getting somewhat smoother by the day.
Most of the blowby issues I had at first when I put it back in service are gone. It had a tendency to leave a light blue cloud behind it when you really gouged on it like when entering a 4 lane from a near dead stop and getting up to speed.
Oil consuption is much less mostly I am sure to the lessened leak at the rear main and possibly in part due to the old sort of stuck parts getting some exercise.
The damned winshield leaks like a politicians secrets. It is broken and the old seal has two inch gaps in it in places. Time for some scrounging for some glass and making an order to LMC I guess.

All in all though.I am quite happy with what I have for the moment and am looking forward to getting it just a tad more correct soon.

[basketcase0302]

That's cool progress!
I know I so...look forward to driving my bump with no more cracked glass!

[FLATBEDFORD]

Nice that you had some help.

[TNIceWolf]

Here we are again heading into winter. And as usual I am behind on chores around the house. I am going to try to snag some time in the next month or so starting a new area of work on the old truck. I got out this weekend and managed to get the yearly fall maintenance of the cooling systems done to all three trucks we have here. From there I have a new approach this year to the project.

What I am going to concentrate on this late fall / winter / spring .....is to get something done with all of the parts I have collected over the last year and a half from several members here and from a couple of other sources. Mostly where I am heading is to try and replace a bunch of "missing" or less than desireable parts. It is mostly small stuff but there are a few possible upgrades in the mix as well.

Pictures to follow soon I hope.

[cozadlance]

so nice to see such progress and devotion. Gives a lot of us real motivation. Love seeing this thread, and thanks for being here with us. A newbie like me needs to see this sort of dedicated love in a project. Mind you, my budget is small, but I am thinking I can get it done, with inspiration such as this- however longer it takes.

[TNIceWolf]

cozadlance

Thanks for the comments! That helps me keep at it mule stubborn even if slowly in the actual progress. This site has been an enormous help to me both in information and also for aquiring parts. It amazes me how the guys and gals on here will pitch right in and help even if they dont really know you. So far I have not been burned on a single parts deal here and it is a considerable number of parts. I owe a lot of my progress so far to other members here.
Hang in there with it. A little money can stretch a long way if you have the time to spend working away at it.

[cozadlance]

np my friend. I often stop and look at this venture of mine and wonder if I am stupid, but I just cannot give up on a beast that has fought so hard for me. Perhaps I can someday relay the feelings better, but suffice for now to say she has been there for me when I was about done anf I must return that favor, and thanks to you all for showing me how.

[TNIceWolf]

One of the possible upgrades I mentioned is a F-600 dash panel conversion. However I am a bit stuck as to how to best proceed in that .
My problem is that I may have arranged for the possibility of too many options......if that is possible.
Below you will find pics of some of the pieces I have lying around handy here for the upgrade and I am wondering which to use and what other bits I have lying around might best be adapted to work with them.


A pic of one panel




And a pic of the other



Any comments or suggestions? I see a few possibilities here if I look in my parts stash but am curious about ideas others may have as well.

[67bartcat]

I vote for the Black one but the white one is cool too.

[1971ford]

The black and chrome is nice but I'm guessing that its a little beaten up. if I was to get one of those panels it would have to be damn near perfect or else it would drive me crazy looking at a warn out chrome-pitted cluster. Therefore the white one looks very clean and is easy on the eyes...

[killakobra]

that all depends on what look you want. the white will give you a simple look. here is a pic of mine



the black would give the truck a cleaner look.

[TNIceWolf]

Thanks for the replies and input guys!

I am kind of leaning toward the black and chrome myself. I kind of like the way the gauge faces look a little better. Either way I go I am looking at some wiring work to make the ALT gauge function correctly seeing as how my present original cluster is not fully gauged. I also have handy a trio gauge aftermarket set I am planning on installing somewhere as a secondary backup system. The black cluster is made for allowing two switches to be mounted without disturbing any of my lower dash mounted switches. What I was thinking was to move the emergency flasher switch from the glovebox since I have a later type switch handy , and intall a blinker switch for the marker lights I also have handy. Since I have an aftermarket tach lying around I might as well go with that in the cluster as well.

The white one is a very clean piece to be sure. But the white just doesnt fit my style. I could use it with some repainting I am sure. I have an extra vacum gauge that could be put in it and all the other parts I mentioned would work as well. Since it has that third hole for controls of some sort that would leave me looking for something to fill it. I just aint crazy about blank out plugs in the cab.

It is going to be a springtime job anyway so I have plenty of time to think and plan.
I will try to get some pics up tomorrow night of the next major interior upgrade I am considering.
Keeps those comments coming! Food for thought is good for the soul.

[killakobra]

i'm not sure what year your truck is but if it's a 67 it should be a plug and play matter. i have a 67 and a 72 f600 panel plugged right up.