Gary Lewis

And to think that I've been using the hard-to-find blinker fluid in my eyes!

Jim - Yes, you did qualify it. I was actually seeking to understand. And I hate to side-track this discussion, but while we are on it... I've looked at the illustrations, and it appears that there were four different transfer case shift mechanisms: 1980 - 86: All except SROD, and it comes through the transmission cover 1980 - 86: SROD only, and it comes through the transmission cover 1987: All, and it comes through the transmission cover 1988 & on: All, and it comes through the side of the hump I've added the 1987 and the 1988 & on illustrations to this page: Driveline/Transfer Cases on the Linkage and then Illustration tabs. Would you check to see if you agree? I need to understand this for my plans. And, it might help with our discussion here.

You aren't in any danger using the concrete blocks that way, or with that little weight on it. It is just when people try to put the whole vehicle up on concrete blocks that danger signs pop up. And I understand getting the frame up where you can work on it, so you use whatever is available - safely. It looks like you are using red-oxide primer. What are you going to paint the frame with as a top coat? On the rear axle, you can probably figure out if the L/S will fit a full-floater by working through the parts lists. They are on the page on Driveline/Axles & Differentials. Start on the Applications tab, get the parts list #'s, and then go to the Parts Lists tab to see what you can find.

Jim - I think the BW1345 and NP208 use linkage that is all fore/aft and comes up through the transmission cover. But your BW1356 has the different linkage which pokes up through the side of the transmission hump Right? That's why I've decided to put the built 1356 in Big Blue instead of Dad's truck as I don't want to cut the hump in Dad's truck. Anyway, I don't think delco's truck has a rubber block/pivot in the linkage. But I may be wrong on that.

I had to look it up: Man, I can relate to that. Anyway, I was introduced to desmo valve trains in the 60's. A friend at college had a Ducati (yes, David, a Duck), and I learned about the magic valve train that not only opens the valve but also closes it using the cam. New to this Kansas boy.

Waiting on a court date to be able to drive it has to be frustrating! After all that work, to be held up by a technicality is surely awful. As for the Youtube channel, I understand. I have one also. And a website. And a forum. And facebook pages! What is this world coming to? But, we sure seem to be able to help each other far, far better than back in the 50’s. Even the 60’s the best we had was a magazine once a month. But how did you find out what others were doing? Get advice? All we could do was ask the other person in our little town. So this is a huge, huge help. And, lots of fun! 👍

I agree with Jim that you should slide under and check out the linkage. And, do as Jonathan suggested and try to shift with the engine off. And, you should consider upgrading your signature to tell us more about your truck. The fact that it is a 351M may come in really handy in the future.

You are now, quite literally, on the map. See if you like where you are, but I can move you if you'd like. You can just scroll up to the map I embedded and it will show you if refreshed.

I don't find an illustration showing that installed for the factory-installed speed control, but I did find this for a dealer-installed unit: The thing to notice is that it appears to have both the vacuum dump and the electrical shutoff incorporated into one unit. Prior to this they had two separate units, as shown here: Driveline/Clutches and Linkages.

Yes, and no. Or in German, jein. Tim is casting new 351C blocks, both in aluminum and cast iron, and hopefully compacted graphite soon. He posted on FB today that all 15 of the aluminum castings are spoken for, and in our telephone conversation he indicated that he has something like 100 of the cast iron ones spoken for. And, it is a newly-designed block. So, while the 351C isn't new, there certainly are some new 351C's.

Christopher - Good news and bad news. First the good news - the connector coming out of the firewall is almost for sure the connector to the brake controller. That is probably C1101 or C1106, as shown here: Electrical/EVTM/1985 EVTM/Trailer Option. In other words, your truck is wired for the trailer brake controller, but you apparently don't have one. And more good news - these trucks are fairly dumb/simple, and don't have any interlocks to prevent you from shifting into 4Hi or 4Lo. Further, there's no vacuum control that is going bad. It is all a mechanical linkage and you MUST be in Neutral and setting still to go into 4Lo. Now for the bad news - I think the "Insert (Shift Forks)" have worn out on your transfer case. You didn't give us much detail in your signature, like what engine you have, but most of the trucks had the NP208 transfer case. And I know for sure that worn inserts on the NP will cause problems like you are having as I've been there, had that done to me. My experience was that it would go into 2WD nicely. And it would go into Neutral ok, but it wasn't really in the detent on the shifter, so when you let go of the shifter it would slip out of Neutral sometimes. And it would frequently go into 4Hi. But never into 4Lo. I had the transfer case rebuilt and everything but those inserts was fine. They put new ones in and then it shifted perfectly. You can see the illustration, parts lists, and rebuild instructions on the transfer cases here: Driveline/Transfer Cases.

Pete - You are right about the "Insert (Tailgate Hinge Opening), aka pivot bushing. Except, it was used 1983-86 on the Bullnose, and 1983-88 on the Ranger, as shown here: Exterior/Beds, Tailgates, & Components. (However, that part didn't show until just now, and as I added it I left the Ranger application info in just for you. ) As for the straps, what do you hook them to in the stake pocket?

Well then, I'm in good company.

Welcome! Glad to know you. We have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map) and I'd be more than happy to add you to it if you'd like. It looks like this. (I'm enjoying my new-found ability to embed things.)

I thought there'd be a few on here that really liked that video. Perhaps someone can figure out what all's been done to that engine and let us know?

Ask the genie in the magic lamp 🧞‍♂️ And speaking of painting the undercarriage white 😳 Yeah, I walked right into that one. As for the white frame, I saw that on FB this afternoon and thought how appropriate it was to this conversation. Thanks for sharing it, Jonathan.

No, but it looks a lot like mine. I told Tim today I wish he'd used a shot of mine.

TYPE 1-Panoramic 80/ All © EOTZ 17696-C stick on type-2" dia.

9A837 STOP SWITCH ASSY. (SPEED CONTROL RELEASE) 84/87 F—U150/350 - - w/factory installed speed control 6&8 All E4TZ 9A837-A #E4TB 9D809-AA

And, by the way, here's the same article, albeit in a different format: How To Build a Ford 351 Cleveland. Thanks to Tim for finding that online.

Welcome! Glad you decided to join. While I'm not 100% sure why forums have been problematic for you, I can guess as well as sympathize. We aren't adamant that everything has to be about Bullnose trucks. (I know we've talked about motorcycles, but I don't remember and discussions of desmodromic valve systems. ) And, we like each other, which keeps things on a friendly basis. Anyway, you did get a good buy. Wow! Good truck and probably the sweet spot of engines - plenty of power with the fewest emissions. As for the 4180C, you've seen this page: Fuel Systems/Carbs, Chokes, & EFI/4180C? Notice the link to 1985-86 Fuel Systems Adjustments booklet. And, click on the Ford's Service Manuals tab for more factory literature.

I picked up the May 2019 issue of Classic Trucks today and discovered an article by a familiar name about a familiar topic, and mentioning a good friend.The article was written by Jim Smart, who writes under the pseudonym of George Reid, and one of his books is Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: How to Build for Max Performance. And, the familiar topic is the Cleveland engine and its siblings.As for the good friend, that would be Tim Meyer of TMEYER Precision Automotive Machining. Tim's shop was quoted as a source in the article. So, to ensure that Tim knew the article was out I texted him a picture. He quickly called and we had a good chat about the engines, the article, and his business. Anyway, I thought you might like to see the article. (But, it isn't nearly as clear as it would be if you went out and bought it at the news stand. )

Just had to try this. Learned a new trick of embedding things in posts by ticking the "Message is in HTML Format" and wanted to see how useful embedding the info from the '96 EVTM would have been.

Just learned out to embed a video from a non-supported site. Tick the "Message is in HTML Format" box and paste the iframe code into the post. And, I thought y'all would like this. Turn up the sound!