I bought my Ford around 3-9-1999, the body is fairly straight but the paint is original and pretty thin.
- Well, I am on my way of replacing stuff. I replaced the air filter the day after I got the truck.
- Visited local wrecking yard for steering column for Power Steering upgrade. On the way back, I started hearing a clunking noise coming from the rear tire area. I looked in my mirror and the tire appeared to be wobbling, I exited the freeway quickly. The lug nuts were almost all the way off,pucker factor set in. Tightened up lug nuts and continued down surface streets, stopping several times to tighten lug nuts (no jack of course). Retightened lug nuts at home.
- Bought new studs for rear axles. Bought new wheels and tires and replaced studs. When I pulled the axle out it looked like tar on the axles (another job for another Saturday). Brake linings also shot and drum maybe.
- Replaced brakes and one drum on rear. Turned other drum.
- Helping my brother-in-law replace an engine in his '89 Taurus, I went to go get some parts in the truck and the master cylinder started going out. Replaced Master Cylinder.
- Radiator has been leaking 1gal of water a day since I bought it. Took radiator out to be repaired, the shop said it wasn't worth it and so I bought a "new" one. Installed Radiator.
- On Thursday 2/17/2000, My cam sprocket went south. I changed the plugs and the points & condesor to no avail. Had to tow the truck home.
- On Friday checked timing by pulling #1 spark plug and manually cranking to top of stroke. Rotor was no where close to #1 cyl.
- On Saturday pulled timing cover off and checked chain, I ended up pulling the chain off without disconnecting anything. Went and got parts and stuff.
- On Monday, 2/21/2000, Installed new chain set and reinstalled everything. When I started it up it ran really rough and sounded like a diesel. I assumed that I had gotten the chain put on 180deg out.
- It seems that the Chilton's manual says one thing about lining stuff up and the actual dimples on the new timing set were 180deg out. After a couple of emails to the ''61-66 Ford Truck listserv I have decided that I must have been off one tooth.
- On Wednesday, 11/16/2005, I called a wrecking yard to see what they'd give me for the Beast...LOL 50 bucks??? over my dead body.
- On Saturday, 11/19/2005, I pulled the engine and put it in the garage. (pictures below)
- Thanksgiving is almost over and starting tomorrow I am going to dismantle the engine to get ready to prep.
- Christmas is almost here and have the engine all torn apart searching for someone to hot tank and do the heads.
- hmmmmm, Refinanced the house, paid off all bills, added one for the 2005 RoadKing
- 1/21/2006 Took the engine pieces to a local engine rebuilder, paid him a lot of money to rebuild.(still in the works). Turning it into a 390 "cuz I can".
- Holy Cow 6 years of sitting, towing around, sitting, towing around, sitting. It still looks good sitting there...LOL.
- 7/29/2006 Got the engine back today, 6 Months and $2986 later, I won't recommend CBA (Cylinder, Block and Airflow in Chandler, AZ) to anyone. I'll add details later.
- I am back at it... Replacing the wiring harness!
- Replaced steering column with a chrome one.
- This one should disappear on 1/3/2021