Gary Lewis

Bill - If it is at least that long and the right diameter, with the shoulder, yes I can use it. I won't tell anyone it came from a Chizzler.

I got this in from Detroit Muscle Technologies regarding the gaskets for the HVAC box: "Slight delay getting this truck heater box rebuild kit shipped. We had to get a replacement steel rule die cutting tool. Should be in later this week." That's disappointing as it is keeping me from finishing that aspect of the project. But there are plenty of other things to do, like the fuel system, exhaust system, etc. I just like to get whole aspects of the overall project done.

I'm looking for one of these bolts. It is a 14x2.0mm and is 90mm long. It is used to hold the the panhard rod on to a 90's D60. Note the raised shoulder near the head. Anyone have one or know where to get one? I've lost one of mine.

Thanks, Bill. I think it is coming together nicely. As for the split in the hood, you are probably right about how it happened. On mine the metal at the rear was pushed up, so I pulled it back down even with the front. And with the spacing of the latch it is hitting good metal so won't jamb. But when I get it painted some day I'll just have it welded up. On the upper hose, I've found the Ford hose in a couple of places. It is discontinued, so you have to look for it, but I think I've found it. And the radiator is a copper/brass one from CompleteRadiators.com according to the receipt. But they appear to be out of business so I've not been able to determine exactly what it is. It was $320 in 2012 and says "Brass Tanks". But as thick and heavy it is I'd bet it is a 3-row.

Got several things done today. But first, I visited our member DeWayne/93F3507.3 at Skiatook Auto Parts to get several things. He couldn't find an aftermarket version of the F5TZ 8260-A upper radiator hose that doesn't have the huge hump in it, but said he would keep trying and get back with me. And, he didn't have a bushing/adapter to make the one-piece lower radiator hose fit the smaller 1993+ water pumps, so I came home and ordered Gates 26392, which should be here tomorrow. But I did get a Dayco 71215 lower hose, which is a perfect fit other than that it is 1/4" too big on the water pump end. However, it has a neat protection sleeve where it goes over the steering gear box, as you'll see in a minute. I also got a new thermostat and gasket, and installed them. Plus I bought 8' of new heater hose and cut 2 1/2" off and put it on for the bypass hose. (That was a lot easier than I thought it would be. ) And I got coolant as well as an FL-1A, the latter of which has been installed, as you can see below. In this pic the oil cooler hoses are installed as is the lower radiator hose with the exception of the connection to the water pump. And I have a zip tie in place to ensure the oil cooler hoses done bounce into the A/C & P/S belt. So when I get the adapter I can finish off that bit. Then I turned to the hood latches as I want to be able to secure the hood when it comes times to test. On the first test the safety latch stuck in the hood. And upon examination I found this, although I'm not sure what would cause that. Anyway I spaced the safety latch out with washers to get to good metal, and then turned to the regular hood latch. Man, was it stiff, but a bit of lube limbered it up a bit. However I found that there was a bit of interference between it and the top inside edge of the cooler. A bit of bending of the latch as well as some washers for spacers got the necessary clearance and after a few tests this happened. First time in a year, and it shuts and releases better than it has since I got it.

That's cool, Jim. The Samsonite stuff we had was similar in that we just turned a key and could take the pieces into a hotel with us. We put in many miles that way.

Interesting observation. With the certification label we might have been able to figure that out, but since it is gone.... Love the grille though.

That's a nice truck. And, it has a lot of nice features. For instance, that looks like the Rigid 40" Radiance light bar, which goes for $661. And the Smittybilt Defender rack is $475. And the Hi-Lift jack. And those tires and wheels. But, I would NOT want to put the spare tire in that rack. It would be HEAVY!

Sounds like an interesting area. On the Beemer, are those the detachable panniers that had a triangular bump-out on the back with a recess for the lock? We had a set of those on our XS11, and it seems like they were from Samsonite. Anyway, the bike looks sad. Needs TLC. As does the compressor. Hope you can get the tools and that the parts fix it right up. Good luck!

The Brad Penn starts out looking dirty, so yes it is black very quickly when you start driving. So I change by miles or time, not color. And, it is pricey. But I have 8 quarts so I might as well go that way and use it.

Those snap rings are tough to get out with very good pliers. I can't imagine trying with cheap ones. Hope you get it apart, but what's on the ground doesn't look good. And, it is a great looking Camaro!

Yes, well done. Please take lots of pics!

Thanks. I appreciate the input. But I'm thinking since I have several quarts of Brad Penn oil that I'll go with their break-in oil and then use their oil long term. It is expensive stuff, but the engine wasn't cheap by any stretch, so I'd better go with what the engine builder recommends.

Don't know about the tranny as I haven't found a way to figure that out from the applications listings. They don't seem to cross-reference axle ratios and transmissions - unless I'm missing something. What welding is needed? On the frame? Or body? Or?

Make sure you have someone take a pic of you by your truck in your folding chair and under the umbrella, cooler by your side, for the up-coming virtual truck show.

Treasure trove of Flareside parts, Cory. Shame that some parts have been exposed to the weather, but still a lot of good parts. On checking the 300, I'd spray it with penetrating oil and wait a day before trying to turn it. If it turns easily then great. If not, spray it again and wait for that to penetrate. If that won't get it to turn then you might put air pressure in a cylinder if you have one that has the valves closed. What about the interior? Does it have slide locks? I see it has clear turn signal lenses.

That's a wonderful looking Merc!

I'm SO JEALOUS! Sure must be nice. Congrat's! And glad the door seals are settling in. That is good news.

Jonathan - I cross-referenced that ID #, D7TE 8509-CA, to part number D7TZ 8509-C using the books Bill/Numberdummy gave me. Then I looked that # up in the 1973-79 MPC and found this:

Yes, if you are adding a black stripe on the truck, and since there's a black stripe on the running boards, I think the side of the running boards toward the wheels should be black as well.

Dave - In looking at the water pump pulley listings for 300 sixes with A/C I see three of them, and they are all very close in size. I wonder if you can use one of the other two - if you can find it.

Ok, it is official - we are having a virtual truck show, and it will be two months from today, 19th September. Here are some ideas and thoughts I've had toward it after having read and re-read the comments on the other thread: Virtual Truck Show? Thoughts & Ideas, Please! Eligibility: Any & all Ford trucks owned by a member of this forum, regardless of how long they've been a member, where they live, etc. And, regardless of year of the truck, percent of completion, cost, etc. (Note that this means Scott can enter his whole herd of Bulls.) Classes: In the past we've had these classes: Best Engine; Best Upgrades; People's Favorite; Closest To Stock; Best Paint; & Farthest Distance Driven. Obviously the latter isn't going to work, so how 'bout Ugliest Truck? (That was Frank's idea as he thinks his truck might win. ) And/or Shaun suggested In Progress or In Pieces. (He who has the most pieces wins?) Swap Meet: David suggested we have a section for a swap meet where people provide pictures of what they have to sell. Not sure how to do that, yet, but will work on it. Entry Format: Video or still pics are acceptable formats for entry. But it was suggested that each of us include a pic of ourself by our truck(s) just as it would be if we were at an in-person show. And that can be video or still as well. Plus, I think we should have a write-up about each truck giving us a bit of info. Time & Judging: It has been pointed out, and rightly so, that we are an international forum as we have people from Australia to Poland with nine countries in between. That's a time difference of 17 hours, so I think we need to do something that isn't live. I suggest that I put up a poll for each category and let everyone vote. But, we need to give people time, so we may have to have a 48 hour window for judging, and it will be one vote per member for each category. So, what do you think about the above? It is just an initial suggestion, and I'm sure it will take a lot of tweaking.

Spent just a bit of time in the shop this afternoon getting a few things done, and now need to spend time planning for the show. But, Here's what I did: Put the screw and nut in the throttle cable bracket for the speed control cable. I had forgotten. Measured the heater hoses to make sure how much to get tomorrow. Looks like 8' will be more than enough. Installed the heater hose fitting in the water pump that I'd forgotten. Luckily the one in the old engine was in great shape so I stole it. Measured the new and old water pump outlets, 1 3/4" and 2" respectively, so I can get the right adapter tomorrow. Last, I marked the grille where it was hitting the monster of an engine oil cooler and took off ~3/8" between the red arrows in the pic below. Just think about how much time it took for to butcher the radiator support, the hood latch support, and the back of the grille to get the exact same cooler in by laying it down instead of standing it up the way the factory did.

Cool! Tell us more, Angelo?

You might be right. He moves in mysterious ways. But if the rubber was protruding then it was time to replace it. The spedi-sleeve is only a very few bucks, so you didn't waste much money. Just time. But you'll be happy you have the new balancer.