51 Ford pickup

[2dr_sedan]

Awesome build!

[wfo guy]

I spent the last couple of days changing things that weren't going to work well. Most was cosmetic but when I was checking the rear suspension, I realized that the right rear brake line was going to be pinched if the suspension travel was every fully used. I redid those lines and finished the front going to the master cylinder. The hydroboost lines have been finished and the belt is on the engine for the first time since disassembly.

[wfo guy]

I decided to fix one more of the surprises I found a couple of days ago. When I installed the ac compressor, I realized the lines were to close to the crossmember and the fittings wouldn't clear. I looked for a different manifold and didn't find anything that looked like it would fix the problem. SO I cut the lines and rotated them and welded them back together. I welded about 3/8 " at a time because I don't know if these are silver soldered together or friction welded. I didn't take any chances. I may see if I can rig up a vacuum tester to see how I did.

[wfo guy]

Once again I worked all day and didn't get much done. One of the pics is the remote filter mounted. The radiator is in place and some of the mounting done. There is the cooling fan and the ac condenser to mount still. The pic of all the hydroboost lines is just to show that using the Mustang parts leaves you with some real ugly areas.

[wfo guy]

I spent 2 days trying to out smart Ford's PATS system. I'm ordering software to disable it.

[wfo guy]

One pic is of the wiring I'm trying to find a way to use gracefully. I spent most of the day making panels to fill the gap between the radiator and the radiator support, mounting the condenser, and mounting the cooling fan. The fan is spaced so it can't rub anywhere on the radiator. Same with the condenser. I hooked up power to the fan and it seems to move plenty of air. I won't know until it's above 100 degrees and I'm stuck in traffic with the ac on.

[67TXStang]

I've been away from the site for a while but returned this week. I just read your entire project thread from the beginning. Excellent work. Thanks for posting everything here for all of us to enjoy.

[wfo guy]

The most important item is that the 51 is outside and my wife's car is inside.
The seats are in the location that I believe is the best of the compromises. The height and location is set and one bolt in each bracket. They will need braces and I have to fab doubler plates for the underneath side. I didn't realize the pic was so poor until the truck was outside. It's 15 degrees out there.

[wfo guy]

Let me apologize for being boring. This weekends task was to do some repair on the rear fenders. I hammered and dollied some and installed panels where the Merc tail lights used to be. I'm going to have an embarrassing amount of time in these.

[wfo guy]

This pic shows the panels I bought for the bed floor just laid out to see how it would work. I think I will coat them with bedliner. I wasn't having any success finding a bed floor anywhere that wasn't damaged or inexpensive.

[Motown 454]

That's a whole bunch of wire! Its looking good.

[eric1967]

What are you using on the bed floor? Cool build

[wfo guy]

I bought those panels on ebay. "BED FLOOR RUST REPAIR PANEL FOR FORD PICK UP 1973-1979 bed floor panel" That was the auction description.

[wfo guy]

I spent most of the day working on the rear fenders. One faintly resembles a useable fender. Tomorrow I may have something to show.

[wfo guy]

The fenders are bolted to the box but not finished. The area that meets the running boards still needs repaired. New steel rear fenders are $1300 a pair plus shipping. I think I'm going to be at $3.50 an hour when I get finished.

[wfo guy]

Lots of wiring work still to do.
http://youtu.be/FrZgm9D1nlU

[Dave B]

That's pretty cool!

[Gojeep]

Great moment when it fires into life for the first time.

[wfo guy]

Last night, I'm working on the wiring to the fuel pump. I realize that the problem isn't power to the relay but the output to the pump. I have capped off the egr tube from the exhaust manifold and want to hear what it sounds like. I connect my bypass on the pump wiring and it fires right up. 30 seconds later the engine locks up. No noise, no nothing. The crank is welded to bearings or block. I'm analyzing options so as soon as I make a decision, I'll post what I'm doing. I was nervous about this engine, now I'm not. It's better to fail in the garage rather than 1000 miles from home.

[brawls43]

Yikes, that's a bummer about the engine. Love seeing your progress. Time to get a 4v 5.4L out of a Navigator or something. I just love how those 4v engines sound!