I will teach her and Amanda the ins and outs of a carbureted vehicle with 70's style 57 turns lock-to-lock power steering this summer.
That being said, I do plan on replacing the 4-1/2 turn steering sector with a 3-1/4 turn unit. I just dont have time to spend 1/2 my day spinning a steering wheel in parking lots :-;
Been punched 30 over, so I asked the kid what size engine is going to be in the truck, and then told her "about tree-fiddy". Been waiting a long time to use that one lol.
Putting together an "ASAP" mechanical punch-list at the moment.
1. The drivers side door likes to surprise me by opening at inopportune times. Exhilarating, but ultimately dangerous. - This was actually due to my fatass, my knee was hitting the opener.
2. With the switch to the HEI ignition, I suspect the factory gap on the plugs is inadequate. Replaced with hotter plugs based on a lot of research
3. The gas is old and moldy. This combined with the spark is contributing to some doggy behavior. Ran three tanks of premium through it and it cleaned everything right up
4. Speedometer reads very slow - with the transmission swap I expected this. With my GPS it shows 43mph actual and speedo shows 35mph.
5. Rear end is flolloping all over the place - no sway bar installed. Rebuilt suspension
6. Front end is flolloping all over the place - similar story. Entire suspension needs overhauled/upgraded. Rebuilt suspension
7. Tires/wheels mounted. Done
8. Tranny lines leaking at the radiator. Done
9. Ugly one - frost plug hidden behind drivers side motor mount is leaking. Yuck. Replaced all frost plugs because motor was out anyways
10. Heater motor non-functional. Also replaced heater core at the same time
11. Brake fluid reservoir leaking - probably a simple gasket swap as it is coming from under the lid. No solution yet
12. The steering column has some slop in the reverse location - have to finagle it a bit to get it to work right. Not sure if this a rebuild or replace scenario, however. Was actually a loose bolt on the linkage - all better now
Picked it up from the exhaust shop today, and to top it off (no pun intended) my new air cleaner was delivered today, as well. Perfect match for the valve covers. This is the vintage look I was shooting for.
Little bit of tuning on the carb yet - but runs great otherwise. Just a flat spot at certain spots in the RPM range. Idle is absolutely smooth, not a visible shake or shimmy. WOT it comes out of it, but I think the pump is not set just right. I am not a carb tuner guy, so will probably spend a lot of time tweaking it eventually.
I am probably going to spend a few hours from time to time dressing the rest of the engine compartment - no braided hose covers etc, just cleaning it up, painting what needs painted etc.
I just poured a snifter of Lagavulin 16 year old to celebrate. My baby is home.
Comments
Some life left in that old paint...
All three of my pretty girls in one picture. I am a lucky man.
That being said, I do plan on replacing the 4-1/2 turn steering sector with a 3-1/4 turn unit. I just dont have time to spend 1/2 my day spinning a steering wheel in parking lots :-;
Purty sunset pic.
Wifey got an even purtier shot.
Not the best shot - but has been lowered. Waiting for alignment.
Before and after lowering.
Or perhaps, after and before is more accurate
Been punched 30 over, so I asked the kid what size engine is going to be in the truck, and then told her "about tree-fiddy". Been waiting a long time to use that one lol.
Test fit tonight - getting there!
Picked it up from the exhaust shop today, and to top it off (no pun intended) my new air cleaner was delivered today, as well. Perfect match for the valve covers. This is the vintage look I was shooting for.
Little bit of tuning on the carb yet - but runs great otherwise. Just a flat spot at certain spots in the RPM range. Idle is absolutely smooth, not a visible shake or shimmy. WOT it comes out of it, but I think the pump is not set just right. I am not a carb tuner guy, so will probably spend a lot of time tweaking it eventually.
I am probably going to spend a few hours from time to time dressing the rest of the engine compartment - no braided hose covers etc, just cleaning it up, painting what needs painted etc.
I just poured a snifter of Lagavulin 16 year old to celebrate. My baby is home.