My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

Have a question for guys running the LS engine with power steering and a mustang rack&pinion. My old small block I had a Heidt's valve for setting how the power steering felt. With this set-up I installed a new valve in the PS unit, it went from 3gph to 2 gph, which was suppose to make it better. From what little I have driven it, it is to sensitive to me. Is there anything else that can be done to improve this. Thanks Jim

[OutlawDrifter]

Jim, while I don't run a rack & pinion, we used a pressure reducing kit on my buddy's Fairmont swap project. The LS pump needs to be turned down so it doesn't blow the seals out. I'm not familiar with the valve you mentioned. Something like this:

https://www.scramspeed.com/products/...ction-kit.html

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad you got the power steering on the right track!

Bummer about the new water pump though.

[youngrodder]

Glad the power steering pressure reducer worked to your liking. Now that you mention it I think I used 4 as well. I just followed the directions. Seems like I had one shim left in the bag.

Good to find a failing water pump on your terms. Nice catch.

Marc

[joedoh]

seems like its always something, glad you got it figured out though!

[8man]

Hope you slayed the last gremlin and can now drive and enjoy!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Glad you got the power steering on the right track!

Bummer about the new water pump though.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Glad the power steering pressure reducer worked to your liking. Now that you mention it I think I used 4 as well. I just followed the directions. Seems like I had one shim left in the bag.

Good to find a failing water pump on your terms. Nice catch.

Marc

Originally Posted by joedoh

seems like its always something, glad you got it figured out though!

Originally Posted by 8man

Hope you slayed the last gremlin and can now drive and enjoy!

Thanks guys...Jim

[oldman3]

Update from yesterday. Got everything buttoned up, anti-freeze in radiator. No squeal from engine area. Took it down the road for about 5 miles. Steering is tighter that before, but not as much with the old system. Maybe 5 shims would have worked, but not going to change. Plans are tomorrow for me to take it on about a 50 to 60 mile jog, and see how it runs. Still need to get Brendon to hook up lap-top and fine tune things. Will let you know tomorrow...Jim

[Indian113]

Try your best to not to pull a muscle around your jaw from smiling all day! Have Fun Jim and good luck on your shake down cruise.

[youngrodder]

Great off season upgrades Jim.....Now the fun part......Driving it.

Marc

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Try your best to not to pull a muscle around your jaw from smiling all day! Have Fun Jim and good luck on your shake down cruise.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Great off season upgrades Jim.....Now the fun part......Driving it.

Marc

Thanks Ray and Marc, will post up later on drive...Jim

[oldman3]

Where do I start, if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck

Ok Wednesday 1/26 started to take my shake-down run. Went about 20 miles or so, heard a noise and noticed my volt gauge was dropping down, lower and lower, turned around and headed home. Needless to say with low voltage, thinks started going wrong, temp went up (no fan), etc. Was about 4 miles from home. Called Mark, he came with jumper cables, let engine cool down, then made a mad dash to the house.

Pull radiator, etc apart again. Removed thermostat, and alternator. Went to parts store, alternator bad, only had about 80 miles on it, didn't want to chance the thermostat going bad with hight temps around 240. Bought a new alternator $$ and thermostat. Came back and got alternator ready for paint, installed thermostat, etc.

Today Thursday 1/27 Mark reinstalled everything, along with new anti-freeze, etc. Took a short drive and everything seemed good. After lunch I took off again, this time everything went good, about a 90 mile round trip.

Next week Brendon will hook-up laptop and find tune everything.

Here's a few pics.

Pic 1. This was Wednesday running along about 70 mph everything good
Pic 2. Looking down the road.
Pic 3. Torn apart again.
Pic 4. New alternator painted

No pics today, forgot the camera.

A big THANK YOU to my son Mark for all his hard work..Jim

[lower50's]

OH no. It never fails though the one part you should not have a problem with. At least you did get home without a tow, and everything else is working great.

[mongocanfly]

Had to catch up on your project ..hopefully you got the bugs worked out..

[Tempest67]

it is very frustrating when new parts are faulty.

Glad to hear 'Icon' is back on the road and doing well. enjoy.


No test drives up here til' April

[8man]

I hope all the bugs are gone and that you get to drive the tires off of it.

Also, please tell me what brand washer that is that doubles as a paint booth.

[youngrodder]

Isn't hot rodding fun??? You guys are probably getting as efficient as a NASCAR pit crew disassembling that front end.

Enjoy test drive #3....You'll get it

Marc

[6DoF]

i had actually never gone back thru the whole build on this truck, holy balls! i'm guna have to take more time to go page by page at some point.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Had to catch up on your project ..hopefully you got the bugs worked out..

Thanks Greg, I think they are, yesterdays drive was good...Jim

Originally Posted by Tempest67

it is very frustrating when new parts are faulty.

Glad to hear 'Icon' is back on the road and doing well. enjoy.


No test drives up here til' April

Tempest thanks, I lived in Michigan for 30 yrs, so I know how it is to wait for good weather...Jim

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Isn't hot rodding fun??? You guys are probably getting as efficient as a NASCAR pit crew disassembling that front end.

Enjoy test drive #3....You'll get it

Marc

Thanks Marc, when Mark saw you post he got a chuckle, I think we finally got it whipped...Jim

Originally Posted by 8man

I hope all the bugs are gone and that you get to drive the tires off of it.

Also, please tell me what brand washer that is that doubles as a paint booth.

Robert, wish it could, brought it in overnight to dry...Jim

Originally Posted by 6DoF

i had actually never gone back thru the whole build on this truck, holy balls! i'm guna have to take more time to go page by page at some point.

Thank you, yes it's been through several upgrades over the years...Jim

[joedoh]

wow thats a hard luck story if i heard one. glad its all fixed, I gotta tell ya I laughed at the alternator on the washer picture, one of the work at home things that I appreciate seeing!

i bet all the people you passed on your 90 mile trip were wondering who the nut with the convertible in january was.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by joedoh

wow thats a hard luck story if i heard one. glad its all fixed, I gotta tell ya I laughed at the alternator on the washer picture, one of the work at home things that I appreciate seeing!

i bet all the people you passed on your 90 mile trip were wondering who the nut with the convertible in january was.

Thanks Russ, I think the high yesterday was about 37 degrees, heater worked great...Jim

[Jason 56]

Congrats on finishing the swap. It’s amazing the gremlins you find when doing something like this. No question that the aftermarket parts available today don’t live up to a high standard. Enjoy cruising with the modern engine!

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Jason 56

Congrats on finishing the swap. It’s amazing the gremlins you find when doing something like this. No question that the aftermarket parts available today don’t live up to a high standard. Enjoy cruising with the modern engine!

Thank you...Jim

[OutlawDrifter]

Jim, once it's all sorted, the nonsense will be nothing but a laughing point.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Jim, once it's all sorted, the nonsense will be nothing but a laughing point.

Outlaw, I agree. Like everything about the change. Just need to get this all sorted...Jim