1967 F-100 project

[67nukeford]

On a bad note, the 351 I got out of that 89 is a door stop. Full of water. So, I'll use this for mockup, and plan on getting a crate engine. I didn't buy that truck for the engine, just the transmission. So, this would have been an added bonus. No biggee.

[67nukeford]

So, on to the transmission. It's pretty grungy, but in good shape, had it checked out after I pulled it out. Before I power wash it, decided to scrap off most of the crap, so I don't cover the driveway in that greasy garbage.

[67nukeford]

Two hours later, much better. I'm going to have to replace the shifter gasket at the top, I noticed it was leaking, and I don't want water in this thing when I power wash it. Found a full gasket and seal set from American Powertrain for 20 bucks.

[67nukeford]

Started working on moving the rear cross member, for the fuel tank installation. Basically, I just took a grinder to the rivet heads, and then drilled them out. I may end up moving the front cross member forward a bit.

[67nukeford]

Got the rear cross member loose yesterday. I don't want it sitting all the way back on the frame, I'd like to leave about 3 inches at the back of the frame. So, I'm going to move the front cross member also.

[67nukeford]

Rivets ground off and drilled out, and then moved the front cross member up about 2 1/2 inches. Leaves me plenty of room to hang the tank, and 3 inches at the back of the frame. Now, time to get some straps made.

[67nukeford]

Got the new seals for the ZF-5 from American Powertrain, and then power washed it. Looks much better.

[67nukeford]

Big WIN last night. Decided to see where the engine would sit with the stock I-6 engine perches. I had done some measuring, and it looked like the engine may bolt up. So, dropped it on, and it fits perfectly! Should be no space problems with the firewall, either. I'm going to set the cab on, just to be sure. The transmission is another story. From taking measurements, looks like it will be 3-4 inches longer than the stock trans cross member. So, I'm going to have to fab up a mount for that.

[67nukeford]

So, time to see how the tranny lines up. Call this WIN part II. I had to remove the top part of the cross member bracket. But, after doing some measuring, the lower cross member bracket just needs a bit of the front trimmed off, then, I'll make up a 1/4 thick plate for the tranny mount to bolt to. That plate will mount on the cross member. Oh, and I won't be using a carrier bearing, won't need to with this set up, so, just one drive shaft. Still have to do some final measuring, and make sure the engine is lined up, and at the right angle, but, it's looking really good so far.

[67nukeford]

Got some work done on the fuel tank. I'd like to take this time to thank Gavin (Tomahawk) for allowing me to shamelessly copy his work! I did end up using 16 ga. stainless for the straps, supply house didn't have any 18 ga., and they gave me the 16 for the same price. And it was a pain to work with! But, straps cut out, and 1/8 inch tabs welded on to the end of the straps where they will bolt up. After drilling the holes in the cross members, I decided to weld the nuts in, to make removal easy when the box is on. I was able to get some big heat shrink from work, I have to make sure it's the right size, and then mount those straps up for good. Then, on to the top straps.

[67nukeford]

Ordered this, it's the complete fastener kit for the body, from AMK. Man, they included everything!!

[67nukeford]

Bolted in the crossmembers. Now, just have to box in the frame, to strengthen that area back up.

[67nukeford]

Well, after checking the engine angle, the engine is sitting too high, the tranny will be way, way up too far. So, I'm going to have to modify the engine perches, which, shouldn't be too big of a deal, probably drop the engine 1.5- 2 inches. Put the engine back on the frame, wanted to do some measuring. I think lowering the engine down 1.5 inches should get me what I need. Now, it's times like this, when a man, stops, grabs a cold one (okay, I thought long enough to have 2), and contemplates what he's about to do. Sat and thought about it, making sure I wasn't missing anything major that could mess things up before I started hacking away at those perches.........

[67nukeford]

Oh, yeah, lets not forget the precision, high-dollar jig I made to ensure the distance would be correct after I moved them....

[67nukeford]

Thinking over with, hack away! Oh, and I have another set of perches, should this go horribly wrong....LOL! I mounted the cut off pieces on to the engine, bolted up the tranny and set everything back on the frame. Lowering it 1.5 inches, I get about 4 degrees on the angle of the engine, I can live with that, and I might actually get another degree with the weight of the cab lowering the suspension a little more.