Time for an update. I spent the last week fooling around under the truck. Thanks to the 4" lift I just put on, I was able to pull the oil pan without dropping the differential. I pulled the rod caps one by one and checked the oil clearance, until I got to #6. Yes, the dreaded #6 cylinder spun a bearing. So, I just picked up a new set of bearings today. Looks like the #6 rod needs replaced as well (I never for a minute trusted that rod anyway). When I pulled the cap off, it wouldn't go back on, almost like the rod bolts pulled away from the crank from the bearing pushing around.

So, I'll be yanking the heads back off, and pulling at least one piston. I haven't decided yet whether I want to replace the pistons and rings while I'm in there or not. I've got plenty of spare rods laying around from 2 other blocks. More to come...

 

Damn, that sucks!

I would like to see how the truck is lookin, anyone else seeing red x's instead of pictures?

 

Jay, where are you seeing the x's? All of the pics? I'm hosting them on my own server here, with my own domain name.

 

Well, nevermind. They are all showing up now. It was just the last page or two that was giving me problems.

Im impressed on how much you got done in a few days! Great job. I hope you can get the 3.0 running in tip top shape so you can drive that sucker!

 

Well, thanks for the heads up. Turns out a configuration change happened, and pointed my site to the wrong place. All fixed now. I only wish working on this truck was as easy.

 

Another update. The engine is back out of the truck. Luckily, I removed the oil pan before pulling, or I would have had to pull the wheels to get it out with the lift on it. I ordered new pistons and rings to try to get the compression on all of the cylinders a little closer together. Also got new bearings, both main and crank. More to come later, I'll take some pics of this progress.

 

Good deal, Cyber. I know it's a biotch, but I'm glad to see you doing them all at the same time. I mean really....it's time to stop punishing yourself.

 

well, just think, you'll be driving basically a brand new truck now. right down to the pistons haha.

 

Another small update. The crank is at the machine shop, getting the #6 rod pin turned to take an undersize bearing. I'll get a call today to find out if that's all it needs. I only wish I found this shop a little sooner.

 

Yet another update. The crank was bent by like .004 in. (they must have some good equipment). They will now be turning the mains as well, which mean new main bearings too. Should have it all back to build by Tuesday. It all looks promising.

 

Cyberman, I don't think I've posted yet on your thread but I check it every couple days. This is an amazing thread it would awesome if at the end if you put all the pictures together from this build just to show how much work has gone into and see the progression. Keep up the great work and sorry about the engine that's a shame. By the way how did you fix all the rust under the bottom of the cab? Did you cut it out and weld new metal in or what?

 

thanks for your reply. I do plan on making a more thorough account of this after it's all done.

as far as the cab goes, that is exactly what I did; ground off the rusty metal, and made strips from a hood I got from a junkyard.

My last bearing came in, but I'm heading on vacation. More to come next week.

 

Looks like were in the same boat. I'm still in the disassembly stage, but I think I'll start putting it back together in the next couple of weeks.
I'm still glad I found no rust holes in the cab and only surface rust.

 

Ya, that is much better that mine was, and you're further north from me.

 

I'm sorta glad I stripped the truck down. I was just going to rebuild the engine and drive it. The passenger side rocker panel and driver side floor would have rusted out before too long. I had a huge leak from the windshield.
I bought some POR15 and will be doing most of the cab with it.

I need to find a way to support the cab when I drop the frame. I was thinking of just propping it up on 4X4's and jackstands. Any ideas? I dont have much headroom in the garage where the truck is being kept.

 

I used 2 4x4s and 4 saw horses. I used a high lift to jack up the front, 4x4 under the mounts, then did the same at the rear. The first page has a pic of the cab, when I was only using 2 saw horses. 4 makes it much more stable.

 

Another update, and this one is a biggie. The engine is back in the truck, with new bearings, pistons, and rings.

And...



It's ALIVE!!!!!

If you've heard the previous sound clip, listen to this one (even if you haven't listened to the other one, listen, it's a beautiful sound).

Now, It runs and purrs. I replaced all the belts, cause they were still squealing like crazy. I had an idle problem, due to the fact that I put the reed valve vacuum hose on the plenum, instead of the valve itself (the idle bounced for anyone that has that issue). Another little problem was that I originally did not fill the block with coolant, just the radiator. I put about a gallon in the block, through the upper rad hose.

Now my next problem. I can't get the clutch to bleed. I've tried for half a day, and it isn't engaging the clutch. I'm pretty sure that the new clutch and throwout bearing were installed right. After some searching, i might need to get a new slave cylinder (maybe a master too). I haven't tried the brakes yet, but I have a knack for not being able to bleed the hydraulics properly.

Once I get these 2 things conquered, and get the rear e-brake cable back on, I'm ready for inspection.

 

wow what a difference!! great job man! as far as the clutch goes, i def feel your pain! I had an old ford that gave me the same problem, i could not get the air out of it for the life of me. I know it might sound crazy, but the only way i was able to get the thing free of air was to remove the master, slave and line all together and assemble it out of the truck- I then inverted it so that the slave was higher than the master and bleed it on my workbench. maybe someone else knows a better way, but thats what works for me. hope that helps!

 

Coming into the home stretch! I got the clutch and brakes bled enough to drive the truck to the garage to have the professionals bleed them (I never trust myself on hydraulics). Everything seems to be well, a few small things here and there. I haven't had the title tranferred yet, i hope the PO doesn't back out, now that their truck is new again lol.

I was driving around the yard, it's fun to crawl it up over the sand mound!

 

Happy, happy....joy, joy!!!

Lol...congratulations, Cyber. I look forward to your satisfaction even a year from now when it's still running strong.

Cheers, bro....