I think we should ask "Dr. Falcon". [BOW]
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I think we should ask "Dr. Falcon". [BOW]
Gene, just another thought. I was told I should run a simple ground strap form the radiator to the core support of the car. I was told it would help cut down or eliminate the electrolysis that occurs with non-similar metals?? I don't know if this an old wise tale or if it has an validity to it?? But like you said $5 is a small enough price to pay to be "safe"..
Uh... the radiator is bolted with 4 bolts directly to the core support. I don't think another wire is going to help here.
:D
I think this might be more a case when you have a radiator that is supported top and bottom by rubber mounts. That would benefit from this, but me thinks the Falcon is OK in this regard.
Ahhh, that makes sense.. Cross one more thing from my list of things to do...:rocker:
Had a problem since startup of a "growly" starter. I was concerned that it may have been the wrong unit. With trepidation, I pulled it today and found no sign of mis-alignment or unusual wear, so took it back to the local parts house and they were able to reproduce the growl on their tester (WHEW!). However, they didn't have one in stock and I'll supposedly get a replacement tomorrow afternoon. I guess it sometimes works out that local sources are still good sources when a piece needs to be returned. While I was at it, I also got a couple of other small things done whilst under there.
After reading all I could regarding electrolysis recently (thanks to you guys' various input), I decided to check the voltage to the coolant today. My DVM reads .000vdc. Of course, I have fresh coolant. However, rest assured this will be something I will periodically check since I chose to convert to an aluminum radiator.
This is good news! Hope the new starter sounds more normal. Did you compare it the others and do they still think you have the wrong one?
One thing I've learned about Ford starters (on my six at least) is to pay extra for the lifetime warranty! I've had the car for 13 years and went through 3 "the cheapest you have" remanufactured before I bought a good one.
I didn't get a chance to compare it to others because they didn't have a direct replacement on the shelf for the one I have. However, the guy I spoke with today claimed it is the correct unit for my car (agreed with the other guy). I believe the guy today was the manager of the store.
The starter I got was one of the cheaper ones they sell (rebuilt). The units that are touted as HD are double the money to start with, and go up to the neighborhood of 10X the price of this one. If this one goes bad down the road I guess I'll have to step up for more $$, but for now......
10x is a little much! I think my latest was $60 compared to $30. And I used to use mine as a daily driver so that's probably 20 or more starts a week.
The 10X ones are probably aimed at the racer running ultra high compression and maybe long duration cams. They probably crank the engine faster, too. That's my guess, as I have no experience with them. The one I'm currently using is in the high $30 range.
Replacement starter installed today. No growling. Spins over much faster. JOY!
Turned car around to start working on bed and on tonneau. Maybe tomorrow?
Got the bed plate re-installed today (hopefully for the last time). This time it includes the same modification that Roger performed on Flarechero to allow access to the upper rear shock mounts, and allows the bed plate to be sealed. Too bad Henry's engineers didn't design like this to keep the water out of there. This probably would have been a less expensive way to modify this area instead of all the channeling designed in to guide the water out of there (which didn't work anyway), and avoided lots of rusted out Rancheros. Now I just have to do the final caulking and mine will be ready for a bedliner to be sprayed. Great mod Roger!
I think it was stated earlier in this thread or Roger's that I also acquired a tonneau for my Ranchero. At least one other of these tonneaus has developed stress cracks in the fiberglass. So Roger, who installed his before I did, devised a way the stop the "oilcan" effect that occurs in the large flat areas. I decided to do the same to mine, though mine hadn't as yet developed any cracks. After all, the 'glass is 40 yrs. old or thereabouts (don't know when they were actually manufactured). Here are a few pics to show the stiffening braces (wood with a couple layers of fiberglass over it).
Wow - it's almost like deja vu... man. You're almost ready to install it now!
I asked Roger to come over and bring his Ranchero so i could get measurements to mount my tonneau. He did, and we did. Here is a pic of the result.
Nice work guys! I love the way those things look and I'm sure they're especially useful up here in the wet NW.
That looks awesome Gene. Keep your Falcon skills sharp, the delivery is going back together soon.
Very nice work guys!!!!!!!
Wow! Didn't realize, I hadn't posted to this thread for quite some time. My Lexus buckets aren't even in here. Another thread is going on regarding audio system, and it reminded me to post this pic. I didn't go anywhere near as fancy as some of the systems in you guys' cars, but here's my old school, simpler approach (Bazooka). It sounds good, even though not the fanciest (I don't like the THUMP!).
I don't recall Jim Reeves having much thump - but it'll help make him sound gooder than before. Can't wait to hear it!
Buttoned up the first of my current winter projects! :banana: [yay] Installed the 1-wire alternator I had purchased this past summer. Added a fuse block as others have done to facilitate this. The positive terminal on the starter solenoid was getting very short with quite a few in-line fuses hanging from it, so this is now a bit cleaner. I got an unexpected benefit. The engine bay is now a bit quiter. The old alternator must have been getting a bit long in the tooth. This one is quieter.
On to the next project.
Can't beleive it's been 2 years since i added to this thread! I have always hated the color of the carpeting I put in my car! So.... for one of my winter-time projects, I'm changing to a much more pleasing (to me) color. Dark Blue. The old was a much lighter blue that the missus called garish blue. I recently acquired a full box of Dyna-Mat that I will add to the bed-liner material I previously applied. WIAI, I never replaced the firewall pad, so that's in the mix, too. Also, WIAI, the old accelerator linkage is gonna be updated to a cleaner, simpler setup. Whew, that disease is definitely still going around! Oh,yeah.... gotta install the recently re-painted grill also (small change).
Hope I can get it all done B/4 the upcoming show season.
Good luck Gene, let me know if you need help. As soon as I get this stupid rear end back in my car, I am so darn lazy lately, but will try to get mine done asap. Larry
It will happen if I have anything to say about it! :we need a whip cracker emoji:Quote:
Originally Posted by SmithKid
:BIRTHDAY:
No excuses guys. You are retired AND you live there! :bicker:
Working on my annual travel plan...and planning a few days vacation this spring to get mine going. Thinking positive...
Look forward to seeing yours Gene and Larry. Roger...anything new? And when do we get to see some pics of Gene's sons mustang?
Some of you may remember way back when.... I was doing the refurbish of the interior of my car, I tried doing the floor pans with a brush-on bedliner material in an effort to reduce road noise in the cab. I suppose it worked to some degree, but I was never really satisfied.
I recently acquired some Dyna-Mat (left over from my son's Mustang project) and am hoping for better results this time around. So... in my little version of WIAI with my re-carpeting project.....
Tomorrow... the hump, then on to the carpet install.
Looking good Gene! It'll be so quiet in there you may have to get some louder mufflers.
Looking forward to hearing about this installation, as I am considering the same thing for my 64 Comet, and possibly my 47 Plymouth.Quote:
Originally Posted by SmithKid
Keep us posted...thanks!
Adding something like Dynamat is the best thing I've done to all my cars so far. These old cars create a lot of road noise you won't realize was there until it's gone.
Though technically you don't need to do the full coverage as Gene did (or I and many others have done) to deaden a panel, it never hurts to cover everything. If cost of the material is an issue, you can deaden a pretty large panel with just a 1' square of Dynamat cut and placed about the panel. If you want a dead-silent vehicle, the more the merrier.
I must believe that if a little is good, a lot's better. I tried to cover everything I could see, including the bulkhead between the bed and the cab. Got my fingers crossed that it was worth the effort. Carpet project is next and then a few other little WIAIs before I drive it again. I'll let you know if the result is worth it to me.
What Gene? I can't hear you! Too quiet.
Oh, and I think you missed a spot... behind that heater box.
:D
Yeah, I did but didn't think anybody'd notice. Too bad I couldn't coerce you into removing/replacing it for me. Or maybe a tech day? It's everybody's favorite chore. :ROTFLMAO:
Gene - if you wanna do it right, you know I'd be happy to come over and stick my head up under your dash. Been there, done that. What's one more time?
Would sure make that other WIAI™ project of the firewall pad so much easier for you.
Doggonit. I hate it when yer right! [BOW] I guess I better bite the bullet and start pulling the box. It'll make some wire management problems I've made for myself a bunch easier too.
Is that you, Roger? :~:
Looks sort'a like me. More than this guy does:
:banana:
Wow, looking good Gene- and that's the good stuff. :WHATTHE:
What kind of hi-fi power are you planning??? ;:)
Pretty simple actually, Don. A normal am/fm, cd, usb w/a couple of Alpine speakers in the kick panels and an old bazooka style sub residing on the floor behind the passenger with a small amp for it on the back bulkhead. I usually have "old country" or gospel on a flash-drive entertaining me. For longer drives I usually have a book (thrillers) in the cd drive. The cab is so small, it sounds great to me (my hearing is pretty abysmal).
Sounds like a pretty nice setup Gene. I'll bet the dynamat makes a nice difference with that.
I looked up "old country" and I got the list attached...yea I can dig it! :rocker:
I did the same with gospel songs but I didn't recognize many of the songs! :NERVOUS:
I grew up with my dad being in country bands and a few of those songs I know pretty well and can even play a couple of them myself. I inherited his song book, all hand-written songs going back into the 60's I'm sure, and some times I pick up my guitar and remember him.
OK, so I play country music too. Just that nobody can figure out what country it's from.