Ok Boys and Girls it's Storytime

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Dang that sucks. Hopefully there is not any major damage inside.

x2. And.... How the heck did it happen?

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

x2. And.... How the heck did it happen?

I don't know guys. I wish I could question the other end of that damn bolt. I looked for that SOB and the rest of the missing pieces till I just had to give up and go home. I worked a couple of hours this afternoon and got the motor out and on the stand. I pulled the intake and the D/S system. I'll try to get it all the way down tomorrow evening.

[mongocanfly]

dang the bad luck...

[71Dragtruck]

$hitty deal!

[regan wilson]

I got it down to the short block today. I don't think it's too bad. I'll report back tomorrow. The rods moved back and forth so that's good.

[regan wilson]

I think I dodged a bullet. It was trying to eat the 3 and 4 main bearings. I'm going to set up an Idiot light on an oil pressure sensor. I am getting old ya know.

[litebulblsc]

Maybe look into an accusump?

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by litebulblsc

Maybe look into an accusump?

It's on the shelf. I ran one for years on my wet sump. I took it off when I did the dry sump deal. I dropped a Melling pump in the pan back in 2005. The Accusump saved the mains but not the rods. It doesn't matter if you're not paying attention. Hence the idiot light. I also thought about a mechanical hand hooked to a pressure switch. No pressure? Slaps me in the head! Lol

[regan wilson]

My plan was to have it out after the Fall Nationals last weekend. I met one of Slick Rick's friends about an hour from home Sunday. He delivered my heads to Rick. That saved me a day. Monday I drove the 4 hour drive to Donnel's and dropped off the short block. I haven't talked to him since. But we think all the crank needs is a polish. We have to order pistons from JE, rods from GRP, rings from Total Seal, and lifters from Crower. Some parts have been two months out and worse. I want everything together by the end of January.

[regan wilson]

[regan wilson]

These were the black coated King Bearings. I think I wore the black off.

[regan wilson]

[regan wilson]

Well I had to get motivated and get started on the idiot light. I've ordered a pressure switch and an led light. It only took 30 minutes of contortionist moves to get the light switch out. The roll cage gets in the way of whatever you try to do. Ken showed up and helped get all the gauge lines pulled through the firewall. I've been wanting to give the cluster a refresh for awhile. I've just put it off because it's such a PITA to get out.

[regan wilson]

After that we were talking about Whitey. I told him it wasn't running. I've had problems where once it sat awhile it wouldn't start. I thought it was losing prime on the fuel. He asked if I had beat on the carb with a hammer? I said no. I filled the bowl with fuel and we beat on it when I started it. Tada it ran! We went for a ride and decided it was time for the muffler to come off. It leaked everywhere and sounded like it was on the verge of stopping up with all the loose pieces inside. Out came the sawzall and five minutes later it sounds like a hot rod Log Truck. It actually sounds pretty good. The carb is rich enough that it doesn't pop on deceleration.

[regan wilson]

I've gotten my gauge cluster all blown apart. I've been scrubbing and sanding on everything getting ready to repaint it all.

[regan wilson]

All I had time to do yesterday was get the placement I wanted for my LED warning light and drill a hole for it. I may add some more behind the fuel gage. It will be running off the key switched terminal on the fuse block. That means it also will tell me (Hey stupid! Turn the key off)

[regan wilson]

I got a call from Donnel today. The good news is my crank is straight as can be. The little bit of heat shrunk the main caps on 3 and 4. So all the block needs is an align hone..

[regan wilson]

I got started on painting yesterday. I's time consuming just trying to tape off all this mess. I'm going for more of an aluminum color to go with the Autometer gauges. After this color I have to go back and tape the fresh paint off to spray the black.

[regan wilson]

Progress.

[regan wilson]

I also made some new lenses behind the fuel gauge. The old ones were painted over. I stuck two of the LED lights in there. It's all wired together.

[regan wilson]

Almost done. I have some hand lettering and touch ups to do. I also repainted the blue inside.



Tada! We have light.

[aggie91]

that turned out nice.

I'm guessing there might be a story behind the odometer reading...

[regan wilson]

Thanks Karl. The Odometer hasn't worked since 82. The truck had over 100,000 miles on it then. I twisted it around to 454 20 plus years ago.

[regan wilson]

I also found out yesterday per Peterson Fluid Systems. They don't do any v belt pulleys on their mandrels anymore. It seems they have had too many failures. Hmm. I'm going to have to convert my alternator over to the HTD type cogged belt like the Oil Pump.

[LT7A]

Regan, thanks for all the information and history that you've posted here. I just read the whole thing and it's quite a story. I go see the NHRA Northwest Nationals when they come to town, but didn't have much of an idea of what it takes for you to run in your class before reading all of this. Great looking truck, and I hope that you get the parts that you need soon.