Project Big Red

The_Josh_Bear · Mar 18, 2019

laserjock said:
It’s been a while since I’ve really done much to the truck. She’s been hibernating waiting for the salt to wash away. If you go back to last year, my big issue has been water temperature. I’ve pondered it a lot and the first thing to do after talking to a few other guys with new motorcraft clutches from Rock Auto, I changed the fan clutch for a Hayden. Not my first choice but it’s what I could reasonably get my hands on.

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I got it installed and as I put the shroud on I noticed there is a big gap between the shroud and the radiator at the top.

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I’M thinking that can’t be helping matters. I took it for a good drive. Seems to be running well. Of course it’s cool enough there’s no way the clutch would lock up now. So I stuffed cardboard in front of the radiator. The fan sound was different with the cardboard but I got the water temp to around 230 just sitting in the driveway. I think the fan locked up better but I couldn’t swear to it. I know it cooled down really fast when I pulled the cardboard out. I feel like I heard the sound change more as it cooled down. I dunno. Maybe with it not moving pushing heat at the clutch through the radiator it is slow to react. I don’t know. Guess I’ll find out when I hitch it up end of next month.

Several things to do before then.

1. Fuel pressure gauge - need to know if I’m starving it for fuel. I have it. Just need to install.

2. Spare tire carrier. Really want get that done to get the spare out of the bed.

3. Adjust timing- she’s set at 9.2-9.3 I’m going to back it off a little and see if I can build a little more boost down lower.

4. Probably do an oil change and send a sample off to see how bad my bearings are after the little oil loss hiccup.

That’s my my short list.

I wont pretend to have read all 198 pages of this build, lol! But what I have seen is great, love the attention to detail. I've learned some good stuff from this thread and your help over the forum.

As for the cardboard trick the "textbook" way to test these viscous clutches is to cut a hole in that cardboard the size of the aluminum housing and then seeing what temp a real gauge says when it kicks on. 230 is way too late. It's not out of the operating temps of a solid coolant mixture but cutting it way too close. If you re-do the test with the hole cut out I bet you'd be much happier with the result.

Also timing with a turbo is better a little retarded, say 6.5*-7.5* which is quite a jump from where you're at. It'll sound like a different(quieter) beast but should spool better and have higher overall power too. Nothing to do but try it out and see!

laserjock · Mar 19, 2019

Thanks for the kind words. It was and will continue to be a learning experience for me that’s for sure.

I may try cutting the hole. Thought about that after the fact.

morgankshaw · Mar 19, 2019

Only way I ever got mine to work properly was making sure I had the fan shroud and after trying 3 different Napa clutches with no luck. I found an new boxed ford OEM clutch on eBay. Solved problem. Kicks on around 210 and stays in till about 190.

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laserjock · Mar 20, 2019

Got a goody last night.

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Hopefully that will take the last of the slop out of the steering system. It’s not horrible right now but with the camper, a little inadvertent overcorrection can be an issue in heavy traffic.

I think I’m closing in on a shooting solution for the spare tire carrier. Dug this out last night.

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It’s off a super duty. I was kicking myself when I realized it’s got the stupid security do-dad on it.

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But fear not, thanks to YouTube, I found out it’s just an insert that pops out with a screwdriver. More on that front as it progresses.

If all goes to plan, camper is coming out of the yard before it rains again tonight. Ground is pretty firm. If this year is like last year, opportunities may be few and far between so we are celebrating spring!

79jasper · Mar 20, 2019

Don't toss that security insert. I'll take it. I have the rest of the kit. Lol

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chillman88 · Mar 20, 2019

laserjock said:
But fear not, thanks to YouTube, I found out it’s just an insert that pops out with a screwdriver

Then what's the point? lol!

Not very secure huh?

laserjock · Mar 20, 2019

It would be really hard to do if the tire was in the way.

chillman88 · Mar 20, 2019

laserjock said:
It would be really hard to do if the tire was in the way.

Fair enough. Didn't think about that!

Jake60 · Mar 20, 2019

I had to replace one of those spare lock keys on a truck that came without one, it was actually a lot easier than I thought. The locks are all made by McGard Co. You can call them and send a pic like the one you have there that shows the pattern to their email, they can match it up to one of the 16 variants. I talked to really pleasant woman there, she looked at the pic and I had a new one in a week for around $20.

Their number is 1-800-444-5847 and email [email protected]

I had to shine a flashlight in and hold the camera steady but it can be done to get a pic of it in place.

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laserjock · Mar 26, 2019

Got the inside portion of the fuel pressure gauge buttoned up. Now just need some plumbing on the outside.

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One day I will go digital and harmonize the mish mash of gauges but that day is not today. LOL

laserjock · Mar 26, 2019

Well, the evening started so promising. Got it all together.

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And then geyser.

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Hard to tell but the sending unit is leaking around the seam.

Summit called. New sender coming.

Jason1377 · Mar 26, 2019

Still looks nice @laserjock makes a inspiring thing to look back at your build and other people's builds

tjsea · Mar 26, 2019

laserjock said:
Well, the evening started so promising. Got it all together.

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And then geyser.

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Hard to tell but the sending unit is leaking around the seam.

Summit called. New sender coming.

What brand of gauge did you go with? That sender looks nothing like my Autometer one. At least simmit isnt giving you a hassle with warranty. They always seem to be good to deal with.

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laserjock · Mar 26, 2019

It’s a Stewart Warner that Rob recommended. He’s been running one for a while with no issues so I thought I’d give it a go and it’s quite a bit cheaper than the autometer version.

Summit has always been good to me. It’s like anything else. If there’s a bad one in the bunch, I’m going to find it.

LOL

subway · Mar 27, 2019

laserjock said:
It’s a Stewart Warner that Rob recommended. He’s been running one for a while with no issues so I thought I’d give it a go and it’s quite a bit cheaper than the autometer version.

Summit has always been good to me. It’s like anything else. If there’s a bad one in the bunch, I’m going to find it.

that is usually my luck, i am glad you are filtering out the bad for me. maybe i should order a gage now that you have them straightened out LOL

i have a Stewart pyro that i like, i thought they were solid gages overall, most of the rest of my stuff is VDO. they are factory brand for a lot of German cars and when i got them probably 1/3 the price of other name brands. so far they have all been great.

Project Big Red

The_Josh_Bear

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laserjock

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morgankshaw

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laserjock

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79jasper

Chickenhawk

chillman88

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laserjock

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Jake60

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laserjock

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laserjock

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Jason1377

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tjsea

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laserjock

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subway

be nice to the admin :D

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