Gary Lewis

What RSK and springs are you using? I'm sure you told me, but ..... Anyway, that's quite a list. As long in many ways as mine on Big Blue. Should be a fun journey.

Well, the plot thickens. The F450 master fits on Big Blue's vacuum booster while the master from Huck, the 1990 F250 w/an 8600# GVWR, doesn't. In fact, the master cylinder from Huck bolts up to the vacuum booster off Dad's truck. So, it looks to me that up through 1986, inclusive, the master cylinders for trucks up to 8500#'s had the narrow bolt spacing and trucks above that had the wide spacing. But some time, probably in '87, the break point changed such that even up to and including F350's had the narrow spacing. I say the latter because a 1987 through at least '89 F250 over 7000 GVW takes the same booster as all '87 through '89 F350's: E8TZ 2005-A or E8TZ 2005-D. You can see that here: Driveline/Brakes.

What do you hope/plan to get done this week, Shaun? When do you think you'll have it on the road? Any goals?

Shaun - That saves me from measuring. But I’ll look to see if everything has the holes. Later as I’m out and about right now.

It doesn't say "heavy duty". That's just the term I've been using. It seems easier than "big brakes" and "small brakes". Or "under 8500# brakes".

Jon - You are now on the map. However, we don't put exact addresses in the map, or even in our posts, as this is open to the whole world to see. So you may want to edit your post to take out the address. Just click More>Edit Post. And, please consider Jim/ArdWrknTrk's suggestion of creating a signature that tells us more about you and your truck. We like to call each other by name as that tends to take the anonymity out of things where people think they can say anything. And, having info there about your truck really helps us help you w/o asking lots of questions or scrolling back to re-read things.

Ford does not determine what is a 'heavy duty vehicle', the EPA does. If you read the underhood calibration sticker, where it says "this heavy duty vehicle is allowed to be non-compliant under federal statute xyz...." Or something like that. You would understand what is being questioned here. And it has NOTHING to do with brakes. I think there are several uses of the term "heavy duty". One is the DOT use of the term which determines what requirements a vehicle has to adhere to. But there's the colloquial use, and in this case I'm referring to the larger or smaller brakes and/or boosters. Perhaps I should say "big brakes" and "small brakes"? And up until 1986 Ford appears to have made the delineation between vehicles with "small brakes" and those with "large brakes" at 8500 #'s. But as of 1987 the break (for brakes ) was 7000 #'s.

You realize the connotation, right??? Jim, you are a master....you picked right up on it. Cory - Sounds like your truck is just about "there" with regard to steering and suspension. However, have you tried increasing the front tire pressure a bit to see if it changes the tracking? Back in the 80's we had a Chevy Citation, aptly named because it had citations running all the way across the radiator support for all the recall programs it had endured. Anyway, it was the X10 model with wide tires from the factory. And it liked to track with the ruts and grooves. But I found that by increasing the tire pressure a few lbs it took most of that out. My guess has been that it caused the center of the tire to take more of the load and the edges quit grabbing the ruts. Jim/Ray - No, I don't realize the connotation. Do I want to?

Cory - That sounds like a nice offer. Thanks! Let's see what the others want. As for the gray weave, I don't think I have one of those, but will look. On the coolant recovery reservoir, you want one from 1985 or '86: Cooling Systems/Coolant Recovery & Windshield Washer Reservoirs.

Cory - Those look much bigger than the Bullnose ones. I'll see if any of the doors I have already have the holes in them. But that won't be until later today.

Jim - A bit above those listings there's one for this AC Delco: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2959452&cc=1126550&jsn=10&jsn=10

At least the picture shows it to be complete. The master parts catalog says that a 1987 and later F350 w/a diesel takes booster E8TZ 2005-A, which should be the hydroboost. And I found that part number new at Ford Parts Giant for $171.76. But I'm not 100% sure that's the Also, the MPC says that vehicle takes master cylinder E7TZ 2140-F or E7TZ 2004-B, and I don't see those used on anything prior to 1987, and then only on F250's w/a GVWR of 7000 lbs, or F350's and above. So, while "HD" might be above 8500 lbs, for brakes Ford had a different limit as of 1987.

I did manage to figure out from the casting numbers that it's a 1989 engine. It has a flat tappet cam in it but the holes for a roller lifter spider are drilled and tapped. the flexplate had "1983 t bird" written on it in paint marker, so now I'm worried that it could be a 28 oz. plate, because I can't find any numbers on it, or any info that I feel good about, on the web. I thought the cylinders looked like they had been washed down, so I got my dad to look at it (I'm 41 and have studied this stuff since I was 9 and his opinion on engines still means more to me than my own). He said it looked like the engine had sat long enough for the cylinders to start rusting before it was put to use again. That makes sense to me because even though the walls look bad, the biggest spot I have found in a cylinder is 4.008". I've been going over the electric system today, while I think about what to do with the engine. Removed the EEC harness first. Next, I had to figure out why a starter button had been rigged up with a piece of extension cord. The "why" isn't so obvious, as the original wiring for the starter seems to be working. The worst wires so far are the ones coming from the alternator. Twisted, taped, and melted wires for everyone! I have a 1-wire alternator laying around, so I might just try to swap it in there. This truck is so dirty, I'm starting to think it may have been buried at some point (a'la Lone Wolf McQuade). I've been pressure washing more and more as I dig deeper into this thing. Today I found a wrench in the bottom of the right front fender. On the starter button, check to see if you have a tilt steering wheel. The key there will be a T-shaped slot where the turn signal goes into the steering column's cover. If it is a tilt wheel you may have a broken part in it. Big Blue apparently has that part broken and sometimes it won't pull the ignition switch far enough to start. Read up on it here: Interior/Steering Columns. Or, it is possible that the ignition switch itself isn't properly adjusted. Read about that here: Electrical/Ignition. On the engine, how much taper or out of round is there?

Jon - Welcome! Your Ol' Blue sounds a lot like my Big Blue. At least in its current state. But it is down for a huge restomod during which the ZF5 will go in to replace the T19. But your namesake, Jonathan/Ford F834, has first dibbs on that one. Speaking of "Midwestern Missouri", where is home? We have the member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and I'd be happy to put you on the map. And, how 'bout coming to the Garagemahal Ford Truck Show & Swap Meet here in Skiatook, OK on Sept 21st? Skiatook is just north of Tulsa and shouldn't be all that far for you. And many of the folks on here hope to attend.

I don't know that there are different 'types' of analytics, exactly, but I'm focusing on what Georgia Tech refers to as computational data analytics, which covers 'big data' and related things - managing, modeling, and visualizing very large datasets and the like. But there's a huge dose of statistics in that (this entire semester was statistics, in fact), along with business topics and the like. It's a nifty program - you can look at the details here if you're curious. And the really cool thing? Program cost is $10 grand, start to finish, for a full masters degree from a top-tier university. It's the deal of a lifetime. Interesting program, Matthew. And, it is at a very good price! Things have come a long way since I was in college in the 60's. I had Statistics, but now they've taken that to a whole different level. Cool!

I know what an "actuary" is, but is that what a degree in analytics is prep for?

It may be obscure, but we now have this: Garagemahal Ford Truck Shows/2019 Show/Swap Meet Items. So maybe you can be the first to put your wants/needs out there?

This thread is to try to capture the kinds of things people are looking to swap and/or buy at the show. Start listing!!!!!

I'm working on a masters degree in analytics. I still have about 15 years to go before retirement, and I don't think my current role at AT&T is going to be around that long...so I need to upgrade. What type of analytics? (I assume there are different types, like statistics?)

By the way, I'm really pleased with the RedHead steering gear. I got it installed yesterday and followed the instructions to the letter regarding the priming part. I was a little disappointed at first...I think I thought that the steering was going to feel like a brand new truck...lol (A 2019 truck). Now it feels like a new 1984 truck! Anyway, the steering is much tighter than before. Once out on the highway and on the back roads, it felt great. The steering in this truck is as good as it is going to get...there is nothing left to replace in the front end. I still have a swaybar to install, but I'm going to wait and leave it for a winter project. I tore the drivers front fender off the truck today. What a pita job that is when the majority of the screws are rusted/seized in place. Some of them were easy...the rest not so much. Pulled the fender liner to clean it all up as well. I have a new set of fenders and stone guard or whatever it is called I'm going to get it all installed before taking it in to the body shop for paint. If all goes well I'll be dropping it off a week from Monday so they can get started on it. Yes! Tight steering! Makes a wonderful difference. No, these trucks aren't modern, meaning they never drove as well as a modern truck. But, they can drive very well. Dad's truck did on an old steering box, so I can only imagine what it'll be like with the RedHead box and all new ball joints, tie rods, etc. And, no crack in the frame. Oh yes, polyurethane bushings.

I think when the dust settles we'll put that back up there, Chris. But, we need to limit it to one line and not let it wrap - on any device.

Scott - That's a wonderful way to spend your birthday! I spent mine at the FORDification truck show. As for a list, we'd not though of that. Should we create one?

Yes! Now I remember!

Yep, now that you mention it I did. But you think this might be a head gasket problem? Yipes! That's a horse of another color.