Progress Thread 83 Convertable Engine swap

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Okay, for tonight’s picture for you all that say that pictures must be posted no matter if it is the neighbors cat.

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1st thing today was getting the proper bolts for the CS pulley and spacer.
Got to the shop, turned on the Chiefs game,
and started getting things done that needed to be.
Pulley, and spacer are now solid, and torqued to 40lbs.
While under there checked everything else I could think of.
Tightening this and that.
Lowered the car, replaced the belt,
replaced the Antifreeze that was lost due to my Screwup.
Filled the power steering pump, and a few other odds and ends.
Went and watched the Chiefs kick A$& for awhile, and remembered I needed to adjust the Tach to a V8.
Went and pulled the instrument cover off, and adjusted it to 8.
While there I thought what the hell—go ahead and pull the instrument cluster, and change all the bulbs to LED.
They were very dim, and a few were burned out.
Undid one of the bulbs, and headed to O’REILLY’s.—-Only place open :(
Have I mentioned that I hate O’REILLY’s?
They had 2 bulbs.
So to the internet tonight and order what I need.

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That is not the neighbors cat
And we should double check our work at any age
Just for you I got a picture of 2 of the neighbors cats after I chased them out of my garage.
They have numerous cats, and I hate them all, as they like spending time in my garage.
Hope this is sufficient, as I won’t be giving them beer as suggested.
Bout ready to go full Rambo on the hairy little SOBs
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It is time to close this “ Progress thread out..
Everything is done to it that I’m gonna do to it this year.
She’s ready to go. :)
I wanna thank you all for putting up with a lot of dumb questions.
I had decided to make it my own, just couldn’t make up my mind on what to do.
How I wanted it to be.
After I sold Barb’s Explorer which sold just from word of mouth that I was thinking of selling it, my Daughters asked what I was going to do for a dependable vehicle.
Said I was thinking of buying a new V8 and put it in the little Fox.
To my surprise they were all for it.
They told me after I traded the 2015 Mustang for the Explorer Barb was upset because she knew that I made that trade because the Mustang was hurting her getting in and out, and traveling any halfway long distance.
They had all talked about it trying to get me to fix it up.
I started seriously thinking about it.
Visited this Forum many times before I become a member.
I was back, and forth on whether to spend the $$$ on it or just drive it the way it was.
Started looking at engines.
Tall blocks— partial builds, used engines.etc.
Went down to RamJets, and ask him what he thought.
Could spend a lot no matter what I chose.
As we were looking at my options I kept going back to the BluePrint engine.
Comes complete, and with the 30 month 50,000 warranty.
He said he would do whatever I decided.
After talking to him I couldn’t pull the trigger on what to do.
Along come the daughters, and insisted that I should do it if that is what I wanted to do.
About a week later the dogs and I were sitting out on the SunPorch talking and drinking some adult beverages.
I decided to order the engine from BluePrint, and called them immediately before I could change my mind.
It had to be built as they had no engines with duel oil sumps.
Said it would take about 5 weeks.
Told them to do it.
Now there is no going back.
Gave me time to get everything ordered that needed to be, and ask you all a bunch of dumb questions.
Meantime it gave me a chance to look around this Forum see pictures of what I liked, and didn’t like.
Found answers to a lot of questions.
You all have been GREAT.
This process, though stressful at times has been a very enjoyable time for me.
I will do one more reply on here to list what I’ve done in case anyone is interested, and try and tell you what it cost.
 
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It's the journey not the destination
Just cause you think your done with the car does not mean your done with us. There are adventures to have, roads to travel, burnouts to be done and speeding tickets to get!
Sorry, I get excited at the thought of squiggly black marks on a deserted road.
Now get out there an burn some fossil fuels, take the road less traveled, post some pics here to tell us about the adventures.
Oh, don't forget your AAA card!
 
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This guy is quite cool , and I have enjoyed his posts fully . Keep it up sir , and give us just a couple more pics of your car fully washed and ready . Its a great year , and you did a great job. Especially in that short amount of time.
 
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It's the journey not the destination
Just cause you think your done with the car does not mean your done with us. There are adventures to have, roads to travel, burnouts to be done and speeding tickets to get!
Sorry, I get excited at the thought of squiggly black marks on a deserted road.
Now get out there an burn some fossil fuels, take the road less traveled, post some pics here to tell us about the adventures.
Oh, don't forget your AAA card!
WELL so much for being an optimistic.
Beginning to wonder if this thing will ever get done.
 
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Karma kicked my ass for being so sure everything was good to go.
RamJet backed it out of his shop this morning so he could work on customers vehicles.
When I got down there this afternoon to tidy up stuff, ya know the little things since I was bringing her home tonight, I went to start it, and the battery had gasp it’s last breath.
It was old.
Went and got a new Battery and hooked it up.
Started fine, and ran great.
He checked just to make sure there wasn’t anything draining it.
All is good :)
Basically all I was gonna do is wrap that black tube stuff around wires to make them pretty.
My Daughter and a few others come in to watch, and shoot the :poo:.
She says “ Daddy, I wanna hear it run”
I started it, and it sounded great.
They left so I just let it run and picked up after myself.
Went to back out to take my Fox home and noticed transmission fluid on the floor.
I ran it back through the shop onto the rack, left running and lifted it.
Transmission cooling line was leaking at the transmission.
It was a little loose so I tightened it.
Still leaking :(
So I called my daughter to come get me, and left it on the rack.
I’m not happy.
So this sorry assed thread will continue for—who knows how long?
Ya all don’t have to read it, but I just need to vent.
 
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If you can resist the temptation to lay down longer black marks on the road then you can be 'done'. Then it's just routine maintenance and enjoying the ride. :rock:
Likely minor, sometimes the flare part of the fitting will crack, or it just does not seat straight, take it apart and give it a good look.
resist over tightening,
I know :(
If I can find what I need in this frigging town I’ll fix it tomorrow late afternoon.

Wanna thank you General— no matter what—
You make me smile:)
 
Karma kicked my ass for being so sure everything was good to go.
RamJet backed it out of his shop this morning so he could work on customers vehicles.
When I got down there this afternoon to tidy up stuff, ya know the little things since I was bringing her home tonight, I went to start it, and the battery had gasp it’s last breath.
It was old.
Went and got a new Battery and hooked it up.
Started fine, and ran great.
He checked just to make sure there wasn’t anything draining it.
All is good :)
Basically all I was gonna do is wrap that black tube stuff around wires to make them pretty.
My Daughter and a few others come in to watch, and shoot the :poo:.
She says “ Daddy, I wanna hear it run”
I started it, and it sounded great.
They left so I just let it run and picked up after myself.
Went to back out to take my Fox home and noticed transmission fluid on the floor.
I ran it back through the shop onto the rack, left running and lifted it.
Transmission cooling line was leaking at the transmission.
It was a little loose so I tightened it.
Still leaking :(
So I called my daughter to come get me, and left it on the rack.
I’m not happy.
So this sorry assed thread will continue for—who knows how long?
Ya all don’t have to read it, but I just need to vent.

Yeah..... we do have to read it!!! (At least I do). You’ve told an awesome story, and for the hiccups along the way..... who cares? We’ve all been there, and frustrating for sure. There’s always bumps along the way. If it was easy, it wouldn’t taste so good in the end. You’ve got a cool looking little fox with a BRAND NEW motor. And whether it be tomorrow, the next day, or day after that........ you’ll have a giant grin on you’re face when it’s all worked out!!
And if we’re lucky, you’ll post a pic of that first burnout that General is talkin about. Then we’ll all smile!!
 
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Yeah..... we do have to read it!!! (At least I do). You’ve told an awesome story, and for the hiccups along the way..... who cares? We’ve all been there, and frustrating for sure. There’s always bumps along the way. If it was easy, it wouldn’t taste so good in the end. You’ve got a cool looking little fox with a BRAND NEW motor. And whether it be tomorrow, the next day, or day after that........ you’ll have a giant grin on you’re face when it’s all worked out!!
And if we’re lucky, you’ll post a pic of that first burnout that General is talkin about. Then we’ll all smile!!
ya, it’s been a journey :)
I do wanna thank you, and others for encouraging, and having my back through this.
I am just looking forward to ending this never ending “Progress Thread”.
I really enjoy this Forum, and look forward to not being so self centered, and follow others, as you have me.
Great people here, and so glad I have felt welcome here.
 
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To end this tonight on a humorous note—I thought it would be neat if I video around the car while it was running so you all could hear how it sounds.
It was sounding great :)
Just a few moments ago I played it back to see how it turned out.
Sounded like a 250 Honda :D.
Wish I hadn’t have deleted it.
You all woulda got a kick out of it:)

Until tomorrow night:))
 
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