Project 1990 country squire resto/modification - Page 4 - Ford Forums

andyfanshawe · 10-08-2009, 14:33

Thanks rtg.

Spent an interesting 2 nights with a can of degreaser, a hose, a rag and an airline! Can't believe how much oil is on this engine and behind it!
Heres a quick shot of the various vacuum pipes behind the plenum as a result of the pcv valve losing its grip!

And guess what, I can't locate a PCV valve grommet in the UK. So Rockauto it is, at $1.71 for the part and $23 shipping! Phew! I'm so jealous of you guys in the US!
Right, how about a before and after photo
Before

After

A bit cleaner eh? And far smellier! Can't wait for the headers to burn that lot off!
Next job while I'm waiting for the grommet to arrive? Valve cover gaskets.
Valve cover removed and it's looking pretty black in there

On to the bench, and all cleaned up for the new gasket.

Other one tomorrow.
Xmas came early today!

and my youngest popping his head in to see

Future cutom car builder?
Radiator arrived in the UK from Rockauto in 4 days! $83 for the rad and $120 shipping. Bit better ratio than the grommet.
Very difficult to get one from the UK. Most don't stock it and require a couple of weeks delivery!

Andy.

andyfanshawe · 10-10-2009, 13:29

Interesting day today! My dad broke down in his Yaris (left his lights on), our caravan started to show signs of water droplets inside and our big Ford (renamed project Marmite by my good lady Wife-for obvious reasons!!) made a few more tentative steps to a fire up and reliability.
So, inbetween rescuing my dad and stripping the caravan down, I managed to do a few jobs on the car.
First was the replacing of the valve covers with the new gaskets. But, not quite as simple as it seemed because there is a bracket at the back of the drivers side valve cover that secures some wiring multiplug connectors. And its rusty.

Needs a good clean up and repaint. So, out with the media blaster

Here it is after blasting

Etch primer next

Then painted black and reinstalled.
Next? Engine bay clean up of unecessary bits. ie thermactor components and brackets (not needed for our emission tests and badly mangled up. Pipes are rusty and full of holes, air pump is noisy in operation, pipes have rotted off the catalytic converters, 1 has been plugged but the other hasn't!
These are the remains after a bit of cutting and pulling!

This is the pipe that connects to the back of the heads to exhaust passages

...........................

andyfanshawe · 10-10-2009, 13:44

This was the pipe as it was in place

Now I just can't leave the holes in the back of the heads, so it's out with the hacksaw and a bit of gas welding
Heres one already welded and one about to be

My Wife caught me in action!

That leaves the bracket for the diverter valve to be shifted and the bracket that use to hold one of the pipes. All located on the passenger side exhaust manifold studs.

All not been moved for 19 years and seriously rusted.
Theres only 1 wrench that will move them, and here it is (a hot wrench!)-nuts already removed

Sorry its not in action, but i would probably set the car on fire while taking the photo!
Heres the new space minus brackets

Battery tray reinforcement next.
Andy,

andyfanshawe · 10-11-2009, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by v8mad0

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyfanshawe

This is the pipe that connects to the back of the heads to exhaust passages

...........................

Another good day, I had to have that pipe on my wagon welded twice as it kept rotting and made a noise inside the car when the engine was running

Glad that parts gone then!
Today is battery tray day. Simple procedure-make a cardboard template, transfer to steel (thickish ally plate in this case), cut out, bend, drill holes and paint. Install and heavy duty rustproofing (Dinitrl 3125) + battery mat.

Then cut out with my favourite tool-air saw

Andy.

**rtg143** · 10-11-2009, 13:45

Nice job. It must be great to ahve the tools to do the job right.

andyfanshawe · 10-12-2009, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtg143

Nice job. It must be great to ahve the tools to do the job right.

Hi rtg. It certainly makes life a lot easier. Nobody can see the 2 big compressors that run side by side under my bench and take up loads of space though! And run all these tools! Bank manager and my good lady Wife weren't too impressed though!
You're welcome to borrow any whenever you want

Anyway, next exciting installment!
Parcel arrived today from rockauto. Only ordered last thursday! But.......I only ordered a PCV grommet. Thats a big box for a grommet

Lets open up and see whats inside

Can't believe it! One grommet box and a big bag of air!

Now need to finish off so I can get the plenum back. But heres a clip that's not been put back (against the firewall)

This is supposedly secured under the wiper motor, but obviously isn't! And I can tell why, because it was a pain attaching it back!
Here is a view of the vacuum block connector at the firewall. I have blocked off the one that came from the AIR pump and plugged it (yellow plug).

The degreaser I used has softened some of the connectors at this block so I have secured 2 of them with tie wraps just in case.
Then spark plugs installed

It says "Nascar performance" on the box! A nascar country squire! I bet Tom Cruise would drive it!i
Dinitrol 3125 ordered and should arrive tomorrow. Battery reinforcement panel rust proofed and installed then.

HT lead clean up and new dizzy cap and rotor arm install next. Then plenum on, other little jobs (not forgetting new rad and thermostat) and we will go for a fire up!
Andy.

andyfanshawe · 10-12-2009, 13:51

This is what I don't like.
Wires that have been cut free of their clips and not put back. Just under the air filter box is the clip, but the wires have been stuffed behind the PS pump and are too close to the exhaust manifold.

4 tie wraps and they are back.
Andy.

andyfanshawe · 10-13-2009, 14:08

Simple jobs today.
Clean all the ht leads and make sure all ends are tight and grip the plugs properly.
Then replace the distributor cap and rotor arm.

Plenum replaced and all bolts tightened to spec.
May be able to fire this beast up tomorrow evening!
But...........................I've been thinking again...........
I know this is a major job and doesn't get much more major, but what about......, no, I daren't think about it,,,,,,,,,,,,oh go on then.........what about removing the whole frame from under the car and getting it media blasted, and rebuilding it and putting it all back!!!? :whistle: Now that is something i would seriously enjoy. make for some interesting photos I can tell ya!
Hmmm. wonder if i can borrow a big workshop for a few weeks? After all overhaulin' did it in 7 days!
Andy.

**jwko** · 10-13-2009, 15:05

Quote:

what about removing the whole frame from under the car and getting it media blasted, and rebuilding it and putting it all back!!!?

If you decide to do that, please post some photos, that would definitely be a sight to see

andyfanshawe · 10-13-2009, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwko

If you decide to do that, please post some photos, that would definitely be a sight to see

Hi jwko.
You will be the first to see the photos!

Andy.