Gary Lewis

Gary, There is some really great info in that documentation, but I don't see the info that I'm looking for. Maybe it doesn't exist, but what I'm curious about is the location of the body mount holes, and the dimensions to check/measure the frame for straightness, particularly the front end of the frame, from the main engine cradle/crossmember forward. If it doesn't exist, then no big deal, I just figured I'd look around (and ask). Sorry, but that's the best info I have. But you can do as I did to check the front of the frame. I measured between the frame rails at each crossmember and then ran a string down the center marks. It easily showed how the front was off.

Yes, Jim, I knew about the turning circle, but it was amazing to see how far that tire turned. And the hose sure does make it look a lot better under the hood. As for the tack welds, since they are on the end of the bolt and are easily accessed it'll be easy to grind them down should I ever need to do so. But I don't think I'm going to worry about adjusting the track bar until I take the truck in for alignment, although I will ask Steve/FoxFord33 what he suggests as he will be doing the alignment. Bill - the track bar is adjustable +/- from the stock length. I need to see how the "neutral" position compares to the stock length. Would be interesting as some may not really need the adjustable one. But in my case the bushings were shot.

Thanks, Bill. And yes, you need to find that pic. But at least you need to enter it.

Steve - Thanks. Jonathan - The easiest for me would be to send me a Word doc. I'll just embed it on the page and won't have to do much at all. (But, I do have to then create a few links, add it to the poll, etc.) As for a video, a Youtube link would work fine. I'll just get the embed code and drop it in. And I do appreciate the plug. I'd really like to have a few hundred entries!

Jein. We have a document that appears to give any dimension you want, but it isn't quite like that one. It is the 1985 Body Builder's Book here: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1985-body-builders.html. See if it helps.

Welcome! What part of NJ? I ask because we have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and we could put you on if we had a town or zip. Nice truck! And, that's a great engine. But the barb on the top of the carb looks like it is for filtered air to go down through the heater loop through the exhaust manifold and then to the choke. Here's your pic blown up so I can see what's hooked to the carb. And I can't tell from this side.

Got a bit done today. First, the upper radiator hose came in. Here's a pic of the original hose and the new one, which is F5TZ 8260-A. See if you can tell which is which. And here's the F5 hose installed: While raising and lowering the truck I spied the huck replacement bolt and remembered that the TSB says you are supposed to turn the wheels lock-to-lock several times then tighten the bolt down and tack weld it. So I did, and then tacked it, although my welding skills are even worse upside down than right side up. I subsequently painted it with POR-15 to ensure it won't rust. And, by the way, I was amazed at how far the front wheels turn! Last, I put the shorter 9/16" bolts in on the track bar. But, adjusting it is interesting. In the neutral position, meaning there's no pressure on the track bar when I have the truck in the air, the driver's-side tire sticks out 2" and the passenger's side tire sticks out 3" from the fenders. In other words, it is 1/2" off. But when I tighten the track bar to get closer to even the truck crab-walks to the driver's side every time I raise and lower it with the lift. Today I had to reposition it 'cause it had gotten so far over. So, I'm wondering how "correct" it needs to be. Sky's installation instructions say "Factory Fords we have seen up to a 3/4 inch." Thoughts?

Maybe in the 1985 EVTM?

Yes, welcome! Glad you joined. Jim's question about where you are is so we can add you to our map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu). We just need a city or zip. And it'll help us help you if you'll create a signature that tells us about your truck. There are instructions for that on the Bullnose Forum/Forum FAQ's page.

Steve - If that's a compliment then I thank you. (One of my father's many sayings, and usually said when it was obvious it wasn't a compliment.) Ok, been doing some more thinking, as Steve said, and have done the following: Gifts: I've contacted both Rock Auto and LMC at this point, with more to follow. And RA has agreed to send me six gift certificates that will go, with the trophies, to the winners of the six classes. Show Page: Filled out the page at Truck Shows/2020 Truck Show to have a tab for an Overview, one for Entrants where I hope to keep the list up to date, and Polling, which has links to the poll threads - see below Entries: Populated the two pages I'd added for Entrant #1 & Entrant #2 to be Dad's Truck and Big Blue, respectively. And, I used them as kind of a template to see what I thought should be said and shown. However, I'd like y'all to look at see what I forgot. I'm sure I did. And I already know I don't have a pic with me beside either truck, which has been requested. Poll Threads: Added a folder in Events called "2020 Virtual Truck Show" - which is locked so only admins can add threads. And, I added a thread for each of the polls so I have a place to put the polls when the time comes. However, all of them are locked save for Best Engine poll as I don't want any comments in there that I'd have to delete when polling opens at midnight CDT on Sept 16th. And the Best Engine poll is only a test to see that I can create as many entries as we may need. But it let me create 101 entries, so hopefully it'll let me create however many we need when the time comes. After all, we have 770 members at present, and some of us have several trucks. Given that, we are now OPEN FOR BUSINESS. All entries must come to me via email and I'll do my best to get your entry up on its own page ASAP. And if you then want me to tweak something or add new pics you can do that - especially as we get the format nailed down. So please look things over closely and let me know what needs to change.

This is a placeholder for the Best Story poll.

This is a placeholder for the Ugliest Truck poll.

This is a placeholder for the Closest To Stock poll.

This is a placeholder for the People's Favorite poll.

This is a placeholder for the Best Upgrades poll.

This poll is for the Best Engine class. But for the moment it is just a test to see how many entries I can add. However, if you desire you can go ahead and vote. Note that I have both "Allow viewing results before vote" and "Allow viewing results before end date (poll creators can always view the results)" enabled. But they will probably be disabled for the real voting.

Yes, that's what is being said. And while you are right that pre-made will be cheaper, I doubt you'll find them. But please let us know what you do find.

Pete - Several people have said that SMS is good to deal with. You can see that in these posts: http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Does-anyone-make-the-correct-80-86-bronco-seat-upholstery-tp5932p5949.html

Nice selection of trucks! Later models shouldn't take as much time for maintenance, so when you get the new one "settled" you can turn to the Bullnose.

Yes, with my brake bleeder tool it'll be easy. And, in fact, I have a bit too much fluid in the brake master, so this will help me resolve that problem. But I won't run it dry. That big master holds a full quart, so you can do a lot of bleeding before getting even a bit low. And, I have a ladder beside the truck with the truck on the lift, so it is easy to go under and bleed then climb the ladder to check.

Oh, and I forgot the coolant temp. I couldn't see any change in it when the A/C was on either. And I have an aftermarket gauge.

It sounds as if your clutch isn't coming in soon enough. Can you take a reading with and IR thermometer and find out where it is coming in? Is there room to get the electric fans and shroud in there? Bill didn't think so on Darth, but maybe yours would fit? If it was me I think I'd try that and see if it helps - assuming you have all the bits needed. That would give you the ability to tune the on/off temps to where you want them. And you could have a light that tells you when they are on. As for the idle speed, Big Blue's idle speed didn't use to change enough to even notice with his A/C. And that was when the engine was dropping at least one cylinder, if not two, at idle. So I'm surprised that your idle speed is dropping that much.

That is a really fun and informative video! Gale Banks knows what he is talking about, which is quite complex, but he makes it understandable. And, he made me want one for Big Blue's 10.25 Sterling to replace the Trick Flow that's on there. But the Trick Flow is apparently not one of the "flat back" covers of which he spoke. And, it is said to provide bearing cap support to keep the ring/pinion clearance constant. So I'd guess that the TF is an improvement over stock, but just not as good as the GB. And, with all I have on my plate, I guess I'll stay with what I have. But, if I were buying today I'd consider the GB.

Yes, sorry about your mother. That hurts a lot, for a long time. As for the truck, your plans appear to be coming together. Just do it as you can and eventually you will get there.

Dave - The ability to see how much fluid you have is one of the many reasons I changed from the cast iron master to the aluminum/plastic one. Jim - Good point. Now that the brakes are bled I can use Bill's method to back-bleed the clutch.