I have returned!

[dbarker]

Thats right it's time for my annual gripe and moan... wait... no it's not!

Today, I packed my baby up and a friend with a tow truck assisted me in rolling her down the highway to a local shop that specializes in reviving old rides. If anyone remembers the saga, this has been a long time nightmare. This was my grandfathers truck, my fathers truck, and the truck I learned to drive in way back in 1997-98. This truck is one of those special ones, more than just an old farm truck. I'll post links to former posts for those who want to read up on the whacko.

http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... &sk=t&sd=a (the beginning of the project all the way back in 2010!)
http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=65676 What looked promising, the 2010 engine pull and 2012 rebuilt return... but the saga continued
http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopi ... 22&t=73806 (last years desperate plea... it fell on deaf ears..)

Anyway, the project is finally underway - this time with a legit mechanic!

rolling off on the towtruck - http://instagram.com/p/sBH5OGk3NF/?modal=true


Still sitting where it's been for 4 years.... hood strapped down as an extra safety. bolts are partially in from the engine transplant (partial transplant)


Onto the truck it goes!


Delivered at the shop, I got the job of steering it into the spot as it rolled off the truck, the final time I'll be behind the wheel before restoration. The next time I'll set in the seat will be to drive home my new truck.

[Mancar1]

Glad u r getting the truck that means a lot to u fixed up.

[Ranchero50]

2010, that's no big deal. The big deal is you are still moving forward with it.

[67mann]

2010, that's no big deal. The big deal is you are still moving forward with it.

mines been in storage for over a year and probably be another yr before my new shop is built good luck with your progression

[dbarker]

Progress is moving along quickly... I've budgeted $10K to this monster... working in TV has it's perks, even if i have no time to do stuff myself.

rails and box removed, im keeping the box for another project.

no trim left on the outside. evil arm slashing hooks removed too.

point of no return... the front end is apart

I'm in good company, visitors to the shop include a mint 57 chevy, a 65 gto, multiple mustangs, and the list goes on...

so many parts, most original to the truck. The shop kept everything that could possibly be used again that was in the truck.

saddle tanks out. wont be reinstalling, but its a nice look at them for reference.

Dash stripped down, paint will be matched back to whats under the dash as it's pristine.

Found a quarter sized hole in the drivers floor board, otherwise, just surface cancer. cab corners are solid

engine as the previous mechanic left it... unfinished, not bolted in.

Engine as of this week.. unpainted parts painted and filled with oil. Turned over many many times by hand, no issues yet.

[sykanr0ng]

"evil arm slashing hooks"

I remember ones just like them - don't have scars, I was young then and healed completely.

A neighbor had something like these on his truck that he got from a boat supply shop:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EHMR56E/ref ... nkCode=asn

if I want outside of the bed tie downs something like that is what I'll use.

[tqwrench]

Question and comment for OP.

Question: Where did you get that fan spacer? I've been working through a few fan issues, getting it better. Without going into all of it, I'd like to get the fan a little closer to the rad.

Comment: You have a solid fan w/o a clutch, it's gonna eat power on the big end. Maybe a flex fan would be better? I just put a 19.5" Hayden on my 390 and it's doing well so far. It's not cataloged for our trucks due to their recommending it be used only on 250 CID engines and smaller.

[duaneo]

Congratulations on getting your project started up again! My truck sat dead in my driveway with a thrown rod, and it was painful. It especially hurt having to rent a UHaul when I needed to move stuff that I OWN A TRUCK TO MOVE! It was also painful to know that my girlfriend hated the truck and the fact that it was dead in my driveway and I wasn't doing anything about it. (such as towing it to a junkyard) Somehow I knew the truck was going to outlast her. I have a new, much more reasonable girlfriend now, and the project to get my bump back on the road is coming along nicely!

I also own a 68 impala that has similar sentimental attachment, and I'll be following your restore as I'm planning on having professionals handle the body work on that project.

Best of luck, take lots of pictures, and keep us in the loop!

Cheers,
Duane

[dbarker]

Question and comment for OP.

Question: Where did you get that fan spacer? I've been working through a few fan issues, getting it better. Without going into all of it, I'd like to get the fan a little closer to the rad.

Comment: You have a solid fan w/o a clutch, it's gonna eat power on the big end. Maybe a flex fan would be better? I just put a 19.5" Hayden on my 390 and it's doing well so far. It's not cataloged for our trucks due to their recommending it be used only on 250 CID engines and smaller.

grandpa bought it new in 68. its been on there since he bought it. There was a dealer installed ac unit at one time, its totally failed so its gone. The lower pulley is much larger than stock to accommodate the extra belt, i suspect the fan spacer was added at the dealer to clear the additional belt. The truck is going back to as close to original as i can get it.

[dbarker]

I also own a 68 impala that has similar sentimental attachment, and I'll be following your restore as I'm planning on having professionals handle the body work on that project.

If you look carefully at the driveway picture from when i had it towed to the show... you may see a familiar roof line. #58Chevy Biscayne. It's next up, bought it off ebay one night. drove it home sight unseen. Looks to be 99% original right down to the paint, i say 99, cause the hubcaps are dodge lancers...

[dbarker]

PROGRESS UPDATE:

She's alive!!! The motor coughed for the last time on Nov 10, 2010. Went under the knife that day. 4 years later... she's finally running again!

I was there for the first startup, and it was wonderful.

Shop posted this video late this afternoon, running like a champ!
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=304078506462227

The engine is the original 360. upgrades include: MSD Ready to Run Dist, Edelbrock intake and 4bbl carb, cheap headers, and a comp cam with mild specs. bored .030 over and all new pistons and valves, etc...

Shes a strong old girl, and this day has been a long long time coming. From here on out, it's all just making her pretty.

[Ranchero50]

Kind of neat to see intact cab mounts Other than smoothing the body it doesn't look like a huge amount of work. Are you going to at least do power steering and disc brakes while you are in there?

[dbarker]

Kind of neat to see intact cab mounts Other than smoothing the body it doesn't look like a huge amount of work. Are you going to at least do power steering and disc brakes while you are in there?

nope, non power drums and armstrong steering remain intact. I might have bumped the engine up a little, but not much. other than that and maybe the stereo, it will be stock (or as close to it as possible)