51 Ford pickup

[wfo guy]

I'm done with the bed floor until the decision on how to finish it is made. I'm not thrilled with the battery access panel but I haven't had a better idea. It is split under the unpainted divider strip. I wanted to be able to remove the battery with out removing the strip but I didn't want the strip to be multi piece. I filled the rear end up and gave it a test spin. The axle run out is gone. I put the old axle in the lathe and checked it. .018 run out. I'll probably cut the flange off and use it for a punch or pry bar. I'm taking a break but I'm not sure I'm going back to work.

[wfo guy]

I had a short conversation with the Vintage Air tech department today. After talking to him, I ordered a new ac compressor. I was planning on using the compressor from the Mustang. For those of you that have followed this thread, you know my used parts success % is pretty low. Rather than take a chance and loose all the new parts, I ordered the pump. Just a little more money.

[brawls43]

Yeah, I thought about piecing together an AC system, but I'm leaning towards just doing an Vintage Air kit. Keep everything matched and good parts, vs questionable used parts.

[Crestronwizard]

Coming along nicely

[wfo guy]

The new compressor was installed today. I spent hours trouble shooting the factory relay module that runs the ecu, fuel pump, two speed fan and the ac. I have narrowed it down to ecu or the project devil is hurting me. I had to order spring lock fittings for the compressor. I thought the local shop had them. Miscommunication between them and me.

[wfo guy]

Today I have the horn mounted and wired. When I removed the anti theft, I broke the circuit. I now have inside door handles. I used the Mustang hardware. I will have to make some surrounds to cover up the mechanism. The handles will get painted flat black when the interior gets finished. I cut off the coil pack mount of the left side of the engine. I kept the part that mounts the power steering reservoir.

[wfo guy]

I'm taking a break. I've been bent over sideways for a little too long. Light switch is mounted. Fuse panel is hung. Progress on the rest of the inside harness. All the coiled wires are extra feeds that I believe I will need to finish the ac, stereo, windows, dome light, and whatever else I have forgot.

[wfo guy]

Towards the end of yesterday, I started working on headlight wiring. The mustang had been messed with some and I was converting to halogen sealed beams to retain the look of the 49 front end I'm using. I didn't end up with the desired results. This evening I disassembled the steering column. My multi function switch might be referred to as no function. I ordered a new one. One more mustang failure.

[Gojeep]

You have not done well at all with the donor!
Guess that is always a problem with a high mileage one. I bought mine as an insurance wreak and was only a year old at the time with low mileage.

[wfo guy]

Gojeep, you are correct. Today we have some ac hoses. We also have the engine cooling fan operating. The pic will show that space was a problem. If I would have had tubing of the correct sizes, I would have relocated the compressor outlets. It still would have been close.

[wfo guy]

The last part of the cooling fan circuit was solved tonight. I wanted to have a manual override to turn on the fan for "parade mode" as it has been referred to. That circuit has been isolated and test connected with the desired results. I hope this isn't the only accomplishment for the upcoming weekend.

[wfo guy]

I loomed up the headlight wiring, removed the coil pack to cop connectors and replaced them with weatherpak. The underhood wiring is as good as it will be unless I decide it needs to be dressed up somehow. I have the evaporator connected to the compressor pulling vacuum checking my manifold mod for leaks. So far, so good.

[wfo guy]

This is today's task. I'm pretty sure these mustang parts are going to work. I'm thinking about welding small rod around the openings to give it a finished look. I'm thinking of using some black rubber in between the metal and the lenses for an interface. This will provide tail, turn, stop and backup lights.

[Gojeep]

Glad some part of it worked right first go. ;)

[wfo guy]

Today the tail lights were finished up. I put the front end on but it needs work. This is a 3/4 ton fender unit. The openings are larger than 1/2 ton. One fender appears to be longer than the other. I'm going to need to do more measuring to be sure of what's not correct. The air filter is going to be relocated but I haven't thought about it's destination yet. I put my tag on and drove it to the gas station and put a few gallons in. I modified the original front marker lights for a 2 filament bulb. The old gaskets for the cover fell out in pieces. I'm about to get enough of a list of oem parts to place what could be the last order.

[Motown 454]

It looks great out in the sun shine!

[wfo guy]

Those of you with a good sense of humor will enjoy this. The reason the headlights don't work is (insert drum roll) the mustang switch is defective. Chalk up another one for the donor. I hope organ donors do better than this. I don't remember having to replace a light switch my whole life. I purchased the Ford EVM manual last week. It arrived today. I was unaware that there were separate manuals available. Had I known this was available, I would have purchased one early on in the wiring process. $24 is going to look like one of the best expenses on the project. I still have the front turn signals to make operational and all the original wiring will be complete.

[wfo guy]

self explanatory.

[Gojeep]

Cool.

[wfo guy]

One of the pics is where I mounted the cruise control module. If anybody knows if this is a bad place, I'd like to hear about it. I put the hood on so I can drive it. The hood is warped and the hinges haven't been rebuilt yet so there is lots more work. I put about 5 miles on it this evening. My machine shop owner friend and I went for the ride. This goes around corners without body lean and it stops well. He's ridden in my 32. He said, this isn't as powerful but everything else is way different. Tomorrow, back to work.