Nick's "lvndpst" Restoration (and Slight Modification) Thread

General karthief said:

I think he was say'n keep one tire on the ground and jack up the other and test it, no need to do that because it will show up when you do the burn out video.
In front of your house.
At 8am on a Sunday morning.
Just a suggestion

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The parking pad is technically behind my house. The paved road in front will remain tire rubberless to keep from encouraging anyone else since I have kids playing outside. Don’t worry, once the intake is on, the tune is checked and adjusted, I fully plan on letting loose on the parking pad. The tires on back already have slits in them from the fenders not being rolled, so they need disposed of properly.

CarMichael Angelo said:

I was sayin.....if the rear went together “ too easy” the clutches will allow slippage, and you’ll be able to spin one wheel even though one wheel is locked ( the tire on the ground).
You do you.

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I get what you mean, but I feel good about it. Besides, maybe I want to be like my crotchety idol and do it twice (or thrice)... And if for some reason it does spin one, it’s not a hard job to pull it apart and swap a shim now that I have all the needed parts and tools.

Got to do some piddling this afternoon. It was gorgeous out, so I just took my time and enjoyed it as my wife was watching the kids.

First up, my made in Germany Bosch pretending to be motorcraft fuel pressure regulator. Little guy even came with new bolts.



Then I decided to tackle my water pump and new hoses. Who woulda thought this Motorcraft waterpump was made in China... Kinda disappointing.





On the bright side, I only managed to “break” the very top water pump bolt. The really crazy part is that the bolt is clearly broken off, but the bolt hole is clear all the way through... Must have been broken before by the PO, and reused with what little threads were left? But I plan to order a new set of bolts, even though I only really need the one. The others cleaned up well and I used anti seize when I reinstalled them.



My Motorcraft hose kit came with an Autolite water pump to T stat hose, and it was way too long and pinched itself when installed...

I cut about a half inch off the bottom and it fit better.



I was able to get the new hoses on using the factory style hose clamps, which I love more than the screw type. However, I can’t remember how it is from the factory, but the new hose clamp kit still utilized the screw type clamps on that water to T stat hose... Oh well.

I was able to stab the dizzy as well. (That comment is you for Mr @CarMichael Angelo ) While I was doing all this, I realized it was kind of silly that my A/C was on the car when it didn’t work and all needs replaced. So for now, it’s off the car with the exception of the condenser. I should have left it off when I did the engine swap, but whatevs.



Lastly, I think a I found the source of my coolant leak. The PO had cut the tube coming off the water pump that goes to the T stat. I’m guessing under pressure, that hose wasn’t sealing.



So even though I’m now doubting my thermostat housing was the problem, I like that I have a new shiny one to match the shiny Chinee water pump. After today though, I have lost my confidence in buying Motorcraft parts and thinking they are made in America or even Mexico. The water pump was the nail in the coffin.

Well... I’m going to call it a blessing in disguise.

I was able to get the car all buttoned up today. The Systemax requires routing vacuum lines differently. I took the time to replace all of the lines running to and around the intake, since I was right there.



The red on the intake doesn’t match my car, it was done by the PO. As well as drilling out one of the throttle body threads... Gotta love used parts.



Luckily my new throttle body studs were long enough to go all the way through and I put a nut on the end. Good enough for who it’s for, as it’s down low and mostly out of sight.



I also realized the joke is on me thinking I could simply remove my AC without a bunch of extra work. Turns out it’s not as simple as on and SN. So back on (minus the lines) it went.

I turn the key and prime the fuel system. Low and behold I have a stream of fuel running down from the passenger side. I immediately cuss up a storm assuming it’s the new fuel regulator now being installed right. Maybe I pinched the O ring. Nope, it’s dry. I prime the system and leave the key turned on to see where it’s coming from. It’s the crossover between the rails, in the back of the engine, streaming out of the back of the passenger fuel rail where the crossover attaches.

I’m choosing to see it as a blessing in disguise that it happened in my driveway with the engine off, rather than while I was driving down the road. However, I was an oil change away from taking it for a spin to see how much tuning it may need. To say I am frustrated is putting it lightly.

Oh man, best part about today is I just realized I forgot to hook up my throttle linkage after looking at the pic of the TB stud going through. Guess I wouldn’t have made it very far on that test drive.