Conceding defeat

[68 Ford Stepside]

If the torque converter has lost one of its balancing weights or the sleeve bearing in the transmission that the torque converter slides into is damaged or worn out, the seal will fail quickly. Another common problem is the harmonic balancer. Nearly all factory harmonic balancers are two piece. The inside part is pressed into the outside part. After a bunch of miles sometimes they will slip & move which will cause a slight off balance condition. Because your uncle says it is eating trans seals, i would be more inclined to think you have a torque converter problem. Don't get discouraged & do not believe everything everybody says. Some people genuinely want to help you. Some people are just spouting off at the mouth. As you age you will be better able to see the difference. Have A Great Ford Day!

[ford4x4fun]

I am not a mechanic by no means. I know enough to get myself into trouble, and I usually end up doing things a couple times. I do believe this is how a person learns though. I don't know the technical terms for things and if it wasn't for this site the people at the parts store would never be able to figure out what I am talking about, but I am still working on my truck. Do something, complete it, and you will feel good about yourself. Like it was mentioned if I had the I can't do it attitude my truck would still be a pile of steaming dog... You get the idea!

[67 Camper Special]

If you start conceding at your age, it will never stop. Your whole life will be a series of challanges. Be a winner.

As far as the job thing goes, you have been given good advise. Promise to work hard nad show up. Todays youth are lazy, expect things to just be handed to them. I have fired every young man that has come to work for me in the last five years because they have no ethics, work or otherwise. If you break out of this mold and excel at whatever you attempt, you will go far, especially as the competition in your age bracket is not that tough to beat. Decide to be the best, and you can not help to be better than average.

Work is not a dirty word.

Larry

[vonburger]

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... &sk=t&sd=a

I honestly thought I could do it. I guess i was wrong.

This may seem harsh but with that attitude, your right you can't! I think it was Henry ford who said "If you think you can do something or think you can't do something then your right". If this is something you REALLY want then you'll figure out how. It will not be practical, it will not be easy. First things first you have time on your side, you can't drive legally so the fact that you only have $200 buck right now is no big deal, the fact that you have earned it is.

1) Decide if this is really what you want, and you better be sure.

2) Get mom on your side, no mom and this is dead in the water. This is where being dang sure it's what you want comes in, if your conceding defeat after 2 months then you have your mom, me and everyone else thinking you don't really want it that bad. How do you convince her and any one else you do??? No idea, my best advice is to, show determination, don't complain or wine.


I honestly hope to hear back from you because I have a few tried and tested ideas for you. Good luck

Thank you for the Pep talk. I would love to hear some ideas!

[vonburger]

There is SO much work you can do on the truck that does not require any, or little, money at all. If you just take it apart, clean it, and rattle can paint it, you'll spend a couple of months and about $100 and make an impression on everyone, showing that you do have motivation and initiative. I've spent a year and a half on mine and don't even have an engine in it yet.

Any ideas on things to take off the truck and clean? Thanks for the Advice

[caseyj10]

There is SO much work you can do on the truck that does not require any, or little, money at all. If you just take it apart, clean it, and rattle can paint it, you'll spend a couple of months and about $100 and make an impression on everyone, showing that you do have motivation and initiative. I've spent a year and a half on mine and don't even have an engine in it yet.

Any ideas on things to take off the truck and clean? Thanks for the Advice

have you tried sticking a battery in the truck to see what does and does not work? if its been sitting for a while there is a good chance you have some small projects you can take care of. check all your lights, horn, wipers, sprayers, radio, reverse light, blah, balh.... check everything. im sure you will find plenty of stuff to keep you busy.

[sargentrs]

How about we try to get it running first. So what have you done so far? Will the engine turn over? Do you have spark? Is gas pumping into your carburetor? Will the radiator hold water and does it have a thermostat in it? How are the points and plugs? Have you cleaned and set gaps correctly? Back to basics. I helped a friend who had a '79 dent 4x4 given to him, just haul it off, after sitting for 14 years. The engine was locked up tight. It took 2 weeks of steady tinkering and working but he got the engine broke free and got it running. He drove that truck for a couple of years before trading it off.

[Mancar1]

It helps 2 know u can do what u set out 2 do. I never go in with, "I think I can." I go in knowing I can.

[Kurt Combs]

Hint: Don't disassemble something that you won't be able to reassemble in the relatively near future, or you will forget how to put it back together. If you disassemble something, like the engine, it is always best to put the nuts and bolts into plastic bags and label them, or you will have fun putting it back together. It clean all my bolts at once and put them in fresh bags that are relabeled. I layout parts in the order they come off the vehicle. Now, back to your current topic. I agree with whoever said to get it running and see what you have. I wouldn't tear into the truck until you knew exactly what you are looking for. Once you have an idea of what the problem is, I suggest you post on this site asking for suggestion on how to go about fixing it.

[sargentrs]

Btw, Vonburger, where are you anyway?

[vonburger]

How about we try to get it running first. So what have you done so far? Will the engine turn over? Do you have spark? Is gas pumping into your carburetor? Will the radiator hold water and does it have a thermostat in it? How are the points and plugs? Have you cleaned and set gaps correctly? Back to basics. I helped a friend who had a '79 dent 4x4 given to him, just haul it off, after sitting for 14 years. The engine was locked up tight. It took 2 weeks of steady tinkering and working but he got the engine broke free and got it running. He drove that truck for a couple of years before trading it off.

I need a ignition switch and lock-which i think i could get at Napa. I will check all of those things once i get the ignition switch and lock. Thanks for the ideas!

[vonburger]

Hint: Don't disassemble something that you won't be able to reassemble in the relatively near future, or you will forget how to put it back together. If you disassemble something, like the engine, it is always best to put the nuts and bolts into plastic bags and label them, or you will have fun putting it back together. It clean all my bolts at once and put them in fresh bags that are relabeled. I layout parts in the order they come off the vehicle. Now, back to your current topic. I agree with whoever said to get it running and see what you have. I wouldn't tear into the truck until you knew exactly what you are looking for. Once you have an idea of what the problem is, I suggest you post on this site asking for suggestion on how to go about fixing it.

Thanks for the organizational idea! The main things I can see are the Floor pan which rusted out and was over laid with some fiberglass mat, and i need the ignition switch and lock.

[vonburger]

If you start conceding at your age, it will never stop. Your whole life will be a series of challanges. Be a winner.

As far as the job thing goes, you have been given good advise. Promise to work hard nad show up. Todays youth are lazy, expect things to just be handed to them. I have fired every young man that has come to work for me in the last five years because they have no ethics, work or otherwise. If you break out of this mold and excel at whatever you attempt, you will go far, especially as the competition in your age bracket is not that tough to beat. Decide to be the best, and you can not help to be better than average.

Work is not a dirty word.

Larry

Thanks for the advice! I enjoy taking pride in the things i accomplish, and am not afraid to work to do it.

[vonburger]

Btw, Vonburger, where are you anyway?

The Panhandle of Nebraska, Scottsbluff Nebraska. I love Nebraska. GO BIG RED!

[sargentrs]

First things first then. Get the ignition switch. Do you have a battery you can use to try to start the truck and a charger to recharge it if you run it too far down?