Progress Thread Snow - 93 GT Vert. Prepping for sale

[JAA]

All right all right all right. That’s why I love fox body’s … I keep getting older and they stay the same age.

Dad came to visit from down south. He has brought some presents. It’s time for an update, pics, and trivia.

 

[General karthief]

WHAT NOW???
Damn, I'm not ready,

 

[JAA]

Update -

Last two years have not seen much updates. I did update the audio. I hate my choices and think it’s horrible. Gonna need to have it redone sometime in the far future.

As far and Snow, it’s been riding perfectly. I could not complain at all how it’s been going. Only a couple issues (other than the window motors) with the first being the heater core leaking. I know I need to change it, buts it’s a bitch to get to.

Same with the second, power steering pump. I completely flushed the system. It made it worse. The only cool thing about how loud my PS pump is that it does at times sound like a super charger. All that whine!!

Overall the ride has been, dare I say, perfect. I have zero complaints. I’m knocking on wood as I say this, but the ride has been great.

Thanks to everyone for the help on the water pump, harmonic balancer, and timing cover. That is to date the most involved car work I’ve done. And to date it’s gone perfect. Really perfect, so I have nothing to complain about.

Thats the update

… now it’s time to make changes!!

 

[JAA]

First upgrade will be boring. Dad bought these and brought them up as a gift. I was planning on going maximum motorsports, but who can complain about a dad’s gift?

I located a local performance shop. I’ll try to stop by tomorrow and ask them about the work.

 

[JAA]

For the next upgrade, it’s trivia time:

Who can tell me the types of vehicles these are from?

 

[JAA]

And now for the serious question, and please be honest

I’m trying to figure out if I should install the heads myself or have a shop do them. The extent of my car work is brakes, calipers, oil changes, plugs, wires, thermostats and electrical. On the Fox I’ve done all the work in the thread, mainly just bolt ons. Ive done the radiator, alternator upgrade, water pump, harmonic balancer, timing cover, and that’s about it.

Ive never done timing, cap/rotor, or other engine work. I would love to learn though.

I don’t mind going slow, I don’t mind buying the right parts and tools, reading and learning, nor do I mind towing it to a place to fix it. I’d just really prefer not to break I’ve received as gifts.

Should I tackle the heads myself?

 

[General karthief]

Yes

 

[Mustang5L5]

For the next upgrade, it’s trivia time:

Who can tell me the types of vehicles these are from?

Early EGR style explorer intake. Circa 1996/1997.

the heads are standard GT40 heads. Flip them over and there might be a part number cast to the underside near the pushrod guides. F1ZE would indicate early 1996 explorer GT40 heads.

that casting number on the heads indicates 1995 manufacturing dates. One in Jan and the other Dec.

 

[JAA]

Long time no talk. It was a boring winter. I had hoped to get to the heads and TB this winter. That didn’t happen. It’s been. Cold spring here in Mass, though I decided to replace the Power steering pump.

Removal was reasonable except for the lines. The lines going into the cooler were ridiculous. I ended up leaving on the rack line and cutting the return line from the pump.

Also, removing the stud which hold the power steering pump was something I hadn’t done before. I tried the 2 nut, but apparently I need more practice. I ended up using one of my favorite bolt grippers (that I used for my broken water pump bolts).

Regardless, the pump is out. I ordered the replacement today (as well as the pump hoses).

I also added all for window motors as I’m tired of them not working. I know the quarters are a bitch, but that’s what is like.

Any advice for getting the power steering pump stud in properly torqued?

Couple pics, cheers!

 

[JAA]

Cleaned up the aluminum bracket and pulley with brake parts cleaner. Now I have them both soaking in a vinegar bath.

 

[Mustang5L5]

You don’t need to torque the stud. Get it in there at least 6 threads or so and then torque up the nut on the stud.

 

[General karthief]

You don’t need to torque the stud. Get it in there at least 6 threads or so and then torque up the nut on the stud.

I agree, you don't want to bottom out the stud, makes it difficult to remove later.

 

[JAA]

Which instructional guides and/or videos do folks recommend for first timer doing the head removal and installation of these GT40s?

I’ve started searching this site as well as YT. I got lots of prep learning, figured I should get started now.

 

[Mustang5L5]

When I did my motor, I watched a lot of videos by Thunderhead289.

He did an entire series on building up a 302 engine from a bare block.

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

Heads are really not a daunting task. Like Mike said,watch Youtube, Thunderhead is a good one to watch. Question, are the heads rebuilt? Going with different cam?

 

[JAA]

Heads are really not a daunting task. Like Mike said,watch Youtube, Thunderhead is a good one to watch. Question, are the heads rebuilt? Going with different cam?

Thanks. The heads are from the pics above. Not changing cam. This is a stock 302

 

[JAA]

I gotta say - the Chilton seems pretty legit for mechanical engine work. These pics and directions seem reasonable to follow. Am I crazy? I see like 25 good pictures on just the intake manifolds!

 

[90sickfox]

The Chilton manual will work for engine work. Its how I did my first few before the intrrwebs took over.

 

[JAA]

Right now I have snow on ramps for the PS work. I’ll need to get the tires off the ramps and off the ground for the left-right turning of the wheel for the bleeding of the power steering.

Is there a good middle front jack point so that I can jack it up in a single spot to pull the ramps? Not a lot of room in the garage. I do have a nice floor jack so I can get to any spot easily.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Dead center of the K-member. I use a block of wood between the Jack and k-member.