Reconstruction has begun.

[doghows]

Shell get there buddy, just stay persistent and keep looking at that light at the end of the tunnel. It does get brighter.

[doghows]

Well the winter project list is written down so I'll see how many I can get done before car show season again.
1. Swap out rear axle to the 8.8
2. Pull the upper intake, air tube, and valve covers for polishing.
3. ReInstall said parts
4. Completely redo wiring in engine bay. (This might be stretching it)
5. Swap out fuel pump to a better less noisy unit
6. Replace front rack and pinion with one that doesn't suck.
7. Sell kidney to pay for everything.

We'll see how it goes!

[Luva65wagon]

Well that's one weekend's worth of work, what will you do the next week?

[doghows]

Ya no doubt, I'm like you I have a list about a mile long and only a day or two each week to play.
Work has got nuts for me, picked up a contract with a fence company and have 3000 feet of fence posts to do, Fort Warden is remodeling and I've got a five year deal with them for work, and the coast guard has started refurbishing the ships again and, and ,and.
You know that old saying I have time but no money, or no money and lots of time. I guess you can just do what you can!

[Luva65wagon]

You know that old saying I have time but no money, or no money and lots of time.

Drinking too much can cause this.

[doghows]

Ok started the 8.8 swap today. Got the old eight out and put them side by side. Here they are for comparison.
The eight was 56&1/2" WMS to WMS
The 8.8 is exactly 57" WMS to WMS
The cool part is I was running a 1/4" spacer to make the eight exactly 57". I am very happy so far. I need to change the driveshaft end to fit the 8.8 and I needed larger spring plates and ubolts. I had those laying around. The brake line is the same spot and fitting so I think this will be downhill from here.
I started with a Ford Explorer rear axle, then drilled the weld plugs out of the long side axle. Pressed out the tube and cut 3" off. Then press the tube back in and reweld the plugs. Now both sides use the same axle shaft so I ordered a short side replacement from rock auto. $84 cost on that.

[doghows]

The axle didn't really cost me anything because I parted out an explorer the I needed the engine and trans for my bronco project. But the are out there for $200-300 bucks. Short side axle $85. Misc stuff $200 so all in all to get a 3:73 posi, disc brake, 31 spline axle not bad!!