Call me crazy - Ranchero's (again)

Maybe you need to pour some acetone into those grooves and blow, pour, blow, pour, blow. If it's out-gassing something, this should clear it out. You may also tig-weld them and smooth them.

No, I took the day off yesterday. The car is not yet on the ground. Tonight I should get the brakes bled and the front tires on. Then I roll it back to gain some room and start the clean-up on the engine and get that in. Then go though my 4 Dagenham 4-speeds and make a best I can get of one - and put that in. Then measure for a drive-line.

I did get the brakes bled after plugging a few leaks. I really had a hard time getting them to stop leaking. My flaring tool must be wearing out or something.

I then got the front tires on, but then decided I really should get the gas tank and Jag cap hooked up, e-brake handle hooked up, and hang the exhaust under it again - before - I set her down and move it to the back of the garage. So I got the e-brake done last night and called it quits at 10:30PM.

I will take some more pictures pretty soon.

Here's some overdue images of "the progress." The wide-angle lens really makes the wheels look small in the opening, but they are. I could probably get 22"'ers under there now.

Got the steering column in next. Having thunk about the horn button for 8 weeks after finding it and the steering wheel I purchased from Jay Baker, I managed to "adapt" the plastic Superior horn button into the chrome Falcon horn button. Worked out nicely.

Then I moved onto the gas tank, which I knew was leaking, but to save $279-$350 for a new gas tank I purchased the Eastwood Tank sealer kit. Let me say right now -- DON'T EVER DO THIS. What a long, painful, task. I have no idea if it's going to work. I spent almost 10 hours filling that tank with chemicals, and acid, and water, and more acid, and I saw no rust coming out and there was lots. So after spending 8 hours doing what they said should take about 2, I finally said, "Enough's, enough" and I poured the sealant in and then spent anther 2 hours rotating that tank every which way until it built up a coating. They say to pour out any excess. Oh? 3 opening and none would pour. So, let me rotate it some more. Over newspaper. Ooh- some came out. finally let it sit on it's top (which was rustiest, and let it cure. If it shows the east amount of leaking - out it goes.

As I ended the day today I made the template for the Jaguar to filler hose and will take that to a muffler shop to have them bend me up my filler tube.

Finally, the Duraspark II distributor all cleaned and ready for the new spring modification mentioned on the Classic In-lines site. More on that later, when I'm awake.

Steering column, steering wheel, and horn button. :)

That $279 ebay gas tank was sounding pretty good after about 6 hours or messing with this. :doh:

And the distributor and filler tube pattern...

Coming together very nicely. I will need to come over for another visit and see it live again. Been having a craving for Krisp Kreme anyway.
Should be driving her in August sometime I am guessing. Getting very close. Keep up the great work it will be worth it in the long run!!!:BEER:

So, of course, most know I am looking for a timing cover because mine is missing a boss for mounting the alternator. Tonight I pulled the pan and valve covers. Gene had shown up late this evening as I was pulling the pan - as I held up a soft piece of aluminum - and then saw another protruding from the crank. The thrust bearing is washed out. The crank looks pretty good otherwise (two caps pulled so far).

So it needs at least that bearing - if I can get just a single. Otherwise I can get all the mains, replace the seals, timing chain and gears (that's wiped). Of course there is the risk of being trapped in that awful curse we all know all to well... the curse of while I'm at it. Buahhhahhahha....

It doesn't look like the rockers have seen oiling in a long time, still need a timing cover, exhaust manifold (if I can't find my old one). Would almost need a full set of gaskets now. Make up a driveline for an engine I may not know the rest of the condition of the engine.

Or do I just assemble the 289.

Decisions, decisions....

If you already have the 289.... why not? buhahahaha unless its going to be a every day driver.

I do have a "fresh" 289 .060 over block, crank, pistons (hung), heads with larger valves and all the bells and whistles - but need to have it all checked out.

It was a Craigslist buy I got about 4 years ago for $500. A big bin of parts came with it, like:

Edelbrock manifold
TRW pistons
2 different cams (last I recall were pretty radical, but I don't remember exactly the specs)
Roller rockers - missing one ball swivel making these incomplete
Rings, installed, but one ring was broken - making these incomplete
2 oil pumps
Flex plate
And a few other bits.

I have to inventory it all again. I have plenty of tin and timing cover bits in the shed. I would need bearings, gaskets (I got a full set with it, but it was missing one head gasket???). So, it wouldn't come cheaply to go that way either.

And I do plan for this to be a driver, but the plan was to put this 289 in it eventually. With the time invested already (and taking longer than I expected - story of my life lately), didn't want to do the 289 swap right now.

I think I will pull the crank out of the 200 tonight and inspect it, and the rod bearings, for excessive wear. Then go from there.

Still looking for a timing cover.

Let me check my last 2 engines I have. Are there any specifics I should look for?? I think the one motor is a 200 (65 pole car) but the other is a 170? (61 wagon) if I have one it is yours. I will even pull it for you. I will chaeck it out tonight. I think Brian is making a trip over here soon with his stuff. If I can't get it to you before then I can send it with him.
I think I will go hide under a rock now....

Well you could always put the 289 in your next rebuild :ROTFLMAO:
Remembering you are doing this for relaxation [thumb]

Never say never, but I don't see me doing anything this extensive for myself again. But I am my own worst enemy.

Steve came through with the timing cover and I did a deep inspection and ended up replacing the main bearing just because the thrust bearing was shot (one half of one). New timing set and oil pump "while I'm at it." Was not a cheap day. :(

If I get the timing cover tomorrow - it may be in by tomorrow. The exhaust manifold in the next thing I'm struggling with.

Roger took time out from his Flare'hero project today, and spent the afternoon under the dash of my Ranchero. The wiring was all screwed up! The R turn signal honked the horn, and none of the turn signals or running lights worked right. I was VERY confused and I'm sure it would still be mis-wired if he hadn't pitched in for me. All is well now. VERY COOL and VERY APPRECIATEED! Thanks Roger!

Hey - not a problem Gene. Still had plenty of time to come home and put the timing cover on, put the pump on, the pan, and pull the rockers off, clean all of them, and reassemble the rocker assembly on the motor. Very full day. ;)

Spent the morning, while it was raining outside, cleaning up and painting the motor. Then after lunch I assembled the rest of it, or most of it, until I had to go to a business dinner. So, the next day I can work on it I will drop this in.

The other picture is the 1-wire alternator I use, which bolts up with zero modifications and requires only a wire to the battery and a good ground.

Still need to figure out what to do about an exhaust manifold. I may have to machine the one Patrick brought a couple years back to the swap meet, which I found in my shed. Unless Steve has one of those too, which I think he said he did.

Exhaust manifold is sitting here at the powder shop.. I am blasting today so I can have it cleaned up and ready to go if you need it. Just say the word and it is yours.
That motor looks awesome, I was going to pull the Ratchero motor but decided to go back to body work on the delivery again. I would like to have at least half as clean a engine bay as your will be. Looks great..

Manifold is on its way. Went out mail and will be there tomorrow. Hopefully it is the right one. I did not see any cracks, but I am pretty tired this afternoon, sooo who knows??:o Anyway looks good post a pic when it is all together...

You are awesome Steve. Over and above the call.

I will have a look-see when it arrives and hope it will work. Was not looking forward to machining the early model version. I see a steak dinner in your future.

Gene wants to help me tomorrow evening to drop the motor in, and then I am going to look at 4 transmissions to make the best of them I can. I may buy him a BigMac.
:D

Stuff goes both ways. I needed stuff for my barn car and you came through for me so it is payback time. Glad I had what you need to get her back to driving status. Just keep us all posted..[thumb]

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Originally Posted by doghows

Stuff goes both ways.[thumb]

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Oh, then I'll take a Filet Mignon. :ROTFLMAO:

Did you get it, did you get it????? Kind of like Christmas in July right..:D

Yeah - it was here when I got home. Pretty decent shape. ONly had one corder bolt hole broke off, but with a hefty washer I'll not tell.

Gene came by and we put the motor in and I bolted the exhaust manifold on just to see if the exhaust would line up. I added the belly bar and now the exhaust doesn't fit. So, I'll have to get something done to modify it, but won't until the engine and transmission are connected and sitting on all their mounts.

Was going to mount the new clutch, but I discovered the pilot bushing was a "little" worn out and the kit I bought had a sheet inside that said, simpley, "The pilot bushing for this kit no longer exists." I'm thinking, 'Oh great, STEVE, you got one of those?" But I just ordered on on-line. Hopefully I don't get a note saying it is indefinitely back-ordered.

Next up, tranny...

Looks great Roger........ keep up the good work :rocker:
Big Macs arent good for Gene are they? lol

WOW that is looking pretty good for a daily driver. Now I have to pull the motor out of the Ratchero and clean up my engine bay.:bicker: Oh well I was going to do it anyway.
That is weird the exhaust doesn't fit now?? Everything is the same just clean and pretty now? Just put that pipe stretcher tool on it. That should take care of that issue!?!:D

I don't think the floor is exactly in the same place now. Or should I say that there "is" a floor now, where before there wasn't. :o

Also that brace-bar under the motor is there now and wasn't there before.

Not a big deal, really. Just need to hold off until I get the tranny in and everything where it is supposed to go. Then I'll get out the pipe stretcher. [thumb]

I am also guessing new motor mounts. I guess it all adds up a bit till it is a few inches? Still looks real good when is the official start it back up day??

Same mounts - just cleaned up. I think the belly bar/brace is the biggest interference at the moment.

I had to order a pilot bushing, so I hope it is available. The clutch set had a little piece of paper in it saying "the pilot bushing for this kit is no longer available" - so we will see.

Once I have that, I will probably already have all the other parts on and the tranny ready to go back in the instant the bushing shows up. NPD, who I ordered it from, tend to just ship what they have and then tell you on the invoice "oh, and by the way, this part is back-ordered." When the tranny is in I can do a driveline. Then I will consider putting some gas in the tank and crossing my fingers.

Self, check the parts bins before you order anything else - OK?

Roger finds he already ordered and received a new pilot bushing, but never checked before ordering another one.

I HATE when that happens. Put in the gas its time to run!!!!!

Roger who is going to do the drive line? and do you know how much $ it will cost??....jh:shift:

Will I ever get this pile into a usable transmission again... :confused:

:D

Yeah, no problem.

So far I have only needed to take 2 of the 4 of these rare beasts apart (I have 5 of them, but one is in my wagon) to make up this transmission. I had another shaft from a third transmission I will be using for the idler. I had some good gears from one, some from another. Good synchro's from another, bad on the other. So, as of 11pm last night, I had sorted out all the good parts into this cluster. Should have it together and ready to install tonight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by falcon cobra

Roger who is going to do the drive line? and do you know how much $ it will cost??....jh:shift:

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I have not decided. As I think I mentioned to you... I did my own in my wagon when I upgraded to the Dagenham 4-speed. It was still the puny 6-cylinder driveline - just needed to be a bit longer. I machined a sleeve with about a .001 press-fit and drove that over the tube and made sure I was 100% accurate on the alignment of the tube where I cut it, so the yokes were still aligned end-to-end. Never had an issue of imbalance - that I could perceive, anyway.

I think just about everyone here has used Drivelines NW to do theirs. I used them when I did my 8" swap in my wagon. I paid in the high $2's for that, as I recall. I didn't have a lot of time, then, to mess with it, so I paid the piper. I don't have a lot of time now, either. This one, too, is going to be small on one end and larger (V-8 style) on the other, just like my wagon is, so I will see if I make an attempt to make my own.

If I try my hand at this one, I have a few drivelines laying around to play with. But if tube diameters are not matching anywhere (yokes and tubes, etc.) you kind'a need to go with the professionals who can swage or expand tubing to fit the parts.

Spent this evening reworking the rest of the innerds of this Dagenham 4 speed. Fortunately I've found good parts in the two I took apart. The cover needs a little attention since seals are no longer available, but I'll do the same thing I did on my wagon, which is holding up so far after almost 7 years. Will show that... next. Stay tuned.

Awesome... I have a question for you, I noticed on you engine pic that the fuel filter canister is facing upwards. I tried to put a pump like that in my Ratchero and the only way the gasket and mounting flange line up is if the canister is facing down???? Are there different fuel pumps for these motors? I need to triple check mine and make sure it is a 200. It has 5 freeze plugs??? Just wondering but the Flarechero is looking good....[thumb]

I've not seen any that face down on the 200. The lever of the pump has to ride on the cam lobe, so it will only mount one way.

I stumbled upon the which-way-does-it-go issue with the fuel pump during my engine build. At one point before the engine was completed, I decided to replace the stock fuel pump with a "high performance" pump. I found a Carter fuel pump on the Summit web site and ordered it. When I received it, it appeared physically identical to the stock one. However, when I tried to install it, it would only install UPSIDE DOWN relative to the the way the stock one had been installed.

To this day, I don't understand!! But, yeah, it will only install one way... which ever way it wants to!

The first picture shows the engine with the stock pump, the second is the finished engine with the Carter pump.

I just thought you chero guy would lik to see this nice ride....jh

Gene came by early this morning and helped me lift that 4-speed into place. I then rebuilt the shifter mechanism and got that bolted on.

While I was cleaning up the shifter Bill Williams came by and I took a break and went and looked at the 302 short-block and headers he picked up. Then he hauled me to Lowes to buy a sheet of ply for my sub box my brother-in-law is eventually going to build for me (thanks again, Bill).

Then I measured for the drive-line and went out back to look at the two I had, just to see if I could make my own for now. When I picked up one of them it looked oddly similar to what I was going to need to make. The new one needed to be 1.5" longer than the stock 6-cylinder drive-line... and this one was 1.5" longer. I began to wonder then what elves stopped by and build me a drive-line that was the correct length and with the correct ends on it. Well - thank you Mr. Elf.

Time to splash some gas and take her for a ride!!! Looking better everyday. I think the Elf's knew it was you B-day and brought you a gift. Nice to not have to spend any more cash.

I like the "Chero" If I don't go 4x4 I like the roll pan look...
And as far as the fuel pump, mine looks like the one in the first pic. No canister? I am guessing from its location that it rides against the crank shaft? I guess I am stuck driving the super duty till the pump gets here.:(

If you look close at the two pictures Gary posted, the block actually accepts a pump where the pump flange can go either up, or down. He shows two pumps, one going with the fittings down (bare block) and up (running block). So that coincides with my experience with pump variations.