1978 non - rust pile

[chimp koose]

I got mine running and i have not even driven it yet other than to put gas in it . I should be after it to tune it up as it always ran rich before I swapped the intake and advanced the cam and did headers and dual exhaust. I still need to replace the d/s brake line from the T to the hose.

[kb426]

O&S was in the shop this morning waiting for the sun to come out and warm things up a bit. The fuel pump assembly has had the pumps swapped out and the wiring completed. It now has a 89 mustang gt pump instead of the 8 psi fuel transfer pump. I wanted to use the original fuel filler for the truck. The new tank has no vent hose nipple. I got a pvc elbow and made close fit washers to use on the top of the tank. I drilled out a pipe cap and used it for the nut on the inside. I used Indian head shellac for the sealant. I had both frame adapters off again. I wasn't happy with the fit. After some trimming, I'm satisfied enough to move on. The clutch ball part that I made was a 1/2" short in reality. I realized there wasn't a good way to assemble the unit so I welded a plate to the bellhousing bracket and threaded 2 3/8" bolts to hold it together. It's installed and the clutch is adjusted. I installed the 2 short exhaust pipe adapters to the headers to see where I am with that. The vacuum hose for the brake booster has been cut to length and connected. The heater hoses are connected. The power steering hoses are connected and the pump filled and pressured up. No leaks yet. This leaves installing the fuel system, the exhaust and the efi wiring.

[kb426]

O&S plodding along today. The new fuel tank is in. The filter is mounted and all the lines are connected. I used the original line for the return line to the tank. The throttle cable is installed. The wiring is connected to the engine and I need to decide where the best place to mount the ecu is. The new connections on the harness are left.

[kb426]

O&S had a long day. I added a relay and power circuit to remove the additional load from the trucks wiring. I found a duraspark wiring diagram that showed the 2 wire plug going into the module as hot switched and hot in start. The wire colors were different from my truck. I put 3 gallons of gas in the new tank. That wasn't enough.  A trip to the pump and 5 more gallons and it's running. The p.s. pump is squalling. I don't know if it still has air in it or it's got a problem. The alternator doesn't charge. Both of those items were unknown before this project. There is wire looming and an ecu mount left in the efi department. I'm sure there will be some more surprises.

[WZ JUNK]

O&S had a long day. I added a relay and power circuit to remove the additional load from the trucks wiring. I found a duraspark wiring diagram that showed the 2 wire plug going into the module as hot switched and hot in start. The wire colors were different from my truck. I put 3 gallons of gas in the new tank. That wasn't enough.  A trip to the pump and 5 more gallons and it's running. The p.s. pump is squalling. I don't know if it still has air in it or it's got a problem. The alternator doesn't charge. Both of those items were unknown before this project. There is wire looming and an ecu mount left in the efi department. I'm sure there will be some more surprises.

I recently used by mini vac pump to pull a vacuum on a power steering resivour to remove the air.  It worked great.  I improvised a connection out of a piece of radiator hose and a plastic pipe plug.

[kb426]

John, I had to do that on the 72 with it's rack and pinion. I'll try it before I pull the pump.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Watched the youtube video...  EFI runs.  Exhaust system, few details.  Driving video?

[kb426]

Probably no driving video until everything is painted. When I finish with the drivetrain, I'll be back on paint and body. We'll see how fast I am.

[kb426]

O&S made little progress today. Start off with the less than wonderful. I wasn't satisfied with using the radiator from the 88. I tinkered with the alternator. Still dead. I'm not happy with the starter. So, I just ordered a new radiator, alternator, starter and radiator hoses along with a high pressure hose for the power steering. The hose has a shim underneath the fitting on the pump end. I believe that means the oring had failed and it had been jury rigged to work. I changed out the starter cable with one that has less damage to the outer cover. The radiator and hoses have been removed. I have the fuel gauge working. Grounding by metal didn't work. Connecting to the system ground cured that problem. The air filter hoses were too long for this truck. I got lucky and found that 2.25" tubing was a fit for inside the hose. I shortened the hoses and clamped the 2 back together. After I find out how much hood clearance there is, I will determine the height of the filter assembly. I spent some time on the wiring. It is taped together for neatness. I got started on a mount for the ecu. I ran out of energy so I quit. The wiring pic is in the sunlight so it's poor. That will give you an idea of what was left to make the efi work.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Probably no driving video until everything is painted. When I finish with the drivetrain, I'll be back on paint and body. We'll see how fast I am.

Yes sir!  The metal flake paint will take some effort.  

[chimp koose]

Here Here !

[kb426]

My flakey metalflake friends are at work.
While running the truck this weekend and deciding that the 88 radiator wasn't going to work, I discovered that I had a head stud leaking coolant on both sides. Rather than take a chance on a quick fix, I ran the truck in today and pulled the engine down. I installed a Ford gasket and bolt kit with good sealant on the bolts and put it all back together. I have about 7.5 hours in this. O&S at it again. I fired it up and drove it outside. I didn't use a high grade sealant on the studs so I got a little more exercise.

[kb426]

Light afternoon spent tying up loose ends. Finished a real simple ecu bracket, shortened some ground wires and put the hood back on. I was surprised at how heavy that hood is. It'll be several days before any parts arrive to finish the mechanicals.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Watched your video on the baby rabbit litter... My neighborhood still has a bunch of young rabbits running around. The horned owls are still here too.

[kb426]

^^^^
That was for the grandkids. They all came over in the evening to check it out.