Big Blue's Transformation

[Gary Lewis]

David - It sounds GOOD!  

As for Cracker Barrel's "swill", I found a way to "fix" it.  They have "crafted coffees", but they are all lattes and that doesn't sound good with breakfast.  However, they put a shot of espresso in those drinks, so I had the put the shot in a cup of their regular coffee.  Pretty good!

[grumpin]

Gary Lewis wrote

David - It sounds GOOD!  

As for Cracker Barrel's "swill", I found a way to "fix" it.  They have "crafted coffees", but they are all lattes and that doesn't sound good with breakfast.  However, they put a shot of espresso in those drinks, so I had the put the shot in a cup of their regular coffee.  Pretty good!

You’d fit in here in the Pacific Northwest...coffee snob!

[Gary Lewis]

grumpin wrote

You’d fit in here in the Pacific Northwest...coffee snob!

Amen, brother!  That's me.  

I think I said it elsewhere recently but I've had Turkish coffee in Istanbul, Greek coffee in Athens, Italian coffee all over that country, French coffee all over that country, as well as Nicaraguan coffee in two separate coffee plantations where they roast and brew it.  Oh, and coffee laced with chicory at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter in New Orleans last weekend.  

And when I get home I go straight for the Starbucks.  Verona is my first cup of the day, and French Roast is the second.  Then in the afternoon, like 30 minutes ago, another cup of maybe Verona.

[85lebaront2]

I just drink coffee, leaded with some sugar. I am definitely not into flavored coffee or any creamer. When I was still working I would have a cup with breakfast, one when I got to the lab, usually one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon. Now I just generally have one in the morning. I prefer 8 O'clock original.

[Gary Lewis]

UPS delivered the rest of the parts today, as well as a bunch more French Roast.  

The first thing I noticed was that the boxes the tie rod ends were in were quite different, even though the parts themselves were identical.  




That led me to check all of the boxes, and I got lucky - all of the major parts were made in the USofA.  The only part from elsewhere was the adjuster sleeve, which was made in China.  But, it appears to be fine.

So, I installed the tie rod ends in the adjusting sleeves and onto the tie rods themselves, and adjusted them to the same length as the originals.  And, here's a before and after pic:



So, tomorrow I'll install the eccentrics, ball joints, and knuckles.  And, maybe see about the axles and the spindles.  But, I do have to think about the dust shields, which were the worse for the wear after getting everything apart.  How badly do I need them?

[salans7]

You really don't need the dust shields.

[Gary Lewis]

salans7 wrote

You really don't need the dust shields.

That's what I'm thinking as well.  But wanted others opinions.

[Gary Lewis]

Ok guys, while waiting for the D60 to be re-re-worked I'm going to turn to the engine.  But before I get into what I did today I need to ask some questions.

First, I need to get with Totally Stainless and get the right fasteners in the works.  And from what I remember I need:

Water pump bolts, but those are the same for all 460's, whether carb'd or EFI'd.  Right?

Valve cover bolts, and I'm going to send them one of mine.

Lower plenum bolts.  I don't think they are special, so I just need to measure them.  I think.

The vertical studs for the fuel rails

Is that all?  Not sure I need stainless pan bolts.

But, it looks to me like I need new head bolts.  Scotty said to just reuse the original ones, but I started cleaning them up today and I don't like what I'm seeing.  Here's a shot of some of them after blasting them:



And if that's not close enough, try this shot:



So I'm planning to order ARP's.  However, what are your thoughts?

Now for what I did today.  Here's the engine coming out of the truck:




And here it is on the stand in the shop:

[85lebaront2]

I would definitely get new head bolts, on the intake, you have one special bolt, left side back of the two vertical bolts in the center (where the crossover is on a carbureted engine) It has a 5/16-18 stud on top of the 9/16" hex. This is where the coil and vacuum solenoids mount. The other item, the 4 corner fasteners on the intake are originally studs with flanged nuts, I imagine Ford did this to facilitate manifold installation on the assembly line.

On the water pump, the truck engines have three different length bolts, I believe I may have sent you the pictures with length and locations, but if not I will. Mine has ARP bolts pretty well everywhere except the exhaust manifolds and motor mounts.

[salans7]

Why do people keep giving you bad advice? (not Bill)

New head bolts are in your future. The first three on the left are just awful.

[Gary Lewis]

Bill - Thanks.  I'll try laying out all the fasteners tomorrow and get pics to ensure I know what I'm doing.

Shaun - I think Scotty said something like "if they are good", and they clearly aren't.

But, guys, I'm having trouble finding reasonably-priced head bolts.  These ARP's are $179.  Why not go with this stud kit from Speedmaster for $87?

[85lebaront2]

Are they US made or Chinese? Mine has ARP 255-3701 head bolts, 155-603 rob bolts and 155-2005 intake bolt kit in it.

[Gary Lewis]

It doesn't say where the Speedmaster studs are made.  And with lots of searching I've not found anything but Taiwan or Chinese besides the ARP's.  But I don't think the engine needs them.

I'd be happy with stock head bolts, but I haven't found them.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Gary Lewis wrote

I'd be happy with stock head bolts, but I haven't found them.

Why?
You can't buy them through dealer channels?
You can't find the P/N and search on that?

[Gary Lewis]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Why?
You can't buy them through dealer channels?
You can't find the P/N and search on that?

Actually, I was just doing that and the part numbers are shown below: 10 each C8SZ 6065-B's and E7TZ 6065-B's.  But piecing a set together by part number costs 10*($4.26+$7.83)=$121.09 + shipping at Ford Parts Giant.  Or, you could pay 10*($31.90+$14.21)=$451.10 from Amazon.  (Yep, that's what it says!  )

At $121 I'd rather pay a bit more and have the ARP's.  But I'm still looking ....  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Slip over to the 460Ford or Big Block Ford forums.... or ask Scott.

There is a alternative, somewhere, that you can trust.
Though I've never heard well founded complaints about ARP products! 💪

[Gary Lewis]

I'm thinking I'll call Scott on Monday.  Need to ask him what to put on the head gasket - if anything.  The Fel Pro instructions aren't very helpful, saying something like "fiber faced gaskets should use a sealant, and metal faced shouldn't".  What sealant?  Copper Kote?  Or?

So, I'll call and see if he sells the ARP's.  Or, has another recommendation.

[Gary Lewis]

Sent Scotty an email at 8:29 this morning, Sunday, and got a response back at 12:10.  That's better than 99% of the businesses I've ever dealt with - on a weekday!  And to get that kind of response on a Sunday is unheard of.

So, when he said he has a bolt kit that he'll drop ship I said "Do it, please!"  We will find out what the bolts are and what the price is when he calls for the billing info, but I'll go out of my way to support someone with that kind of service.

And, by the way, he said he puts head gaskets on dry.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I've always told you, Scott is THE MAN! When it comes to 385's..

[Gary Lewis]

Never doubted you.  But didn't realize the level of support he provides.  Outstanding!

(And, btw, I sent him a link to my previous post.  Just want him to know how much he's appreciated.)