BigMike's Front End/Engine Bay Clean-up Thread

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 21, 2011, 7:13 pm

I started this afternoon and I've already revised my timeline. I still plan to have the front clip removed, frame, firewall, engine, and trans painted, and the engine put back in. But I want to make sure it isn't rushed and done right.

Here are some before pictures.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 21, 2011, 8:47 pm

I think I will replace the alternator just to get one that isn't painted. It's $50 at NAPA. I'll probably replace the radiator hoses as well since they look pretty old.

I'm looking forward to getting a look at the engine number to see if it's original. It was rebuilt by the original owner but it's two shades of blue so who knows.

More pictures tomorrow.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 22, 2011, 5:19 pm

I got just about everything disconnected this morning and then used two cans of Gunk gel engine cleaner and pressure washed everything.

Tomorrow I will get everything else disconnected like the drive shaft, trans mount, trans tunnel, throttle cable, ground wire, clutch rod, and I'll probably remove the headers as well. Then I'll remove all of the bolts for the front clip so that on Thursday morning, all that we'll have to do is to remove it. It probably sounds easier than it is.

Post by **foodstick** » November 22, 2011, 7:19 pm

As clean as it is at the start.. you should do very well in a short time...

Sometimes just having a flow chart to get the similar things done when you have the right tools out saves some time.

its gonna be nice when you are done.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 22, 2011, 7:42 pm

The pictures make it look better than it really is. I can't wait for the engine to stop leaking oil and the rusty frame and engine to be painted. It will be well worth the effort.

fire truck · Post by **fire truck** » November 22, 2011, 7:53 pm

BigMike wrote:The pictures make it look better than it really is. I can't wait for the engine to stop leaking oil and the rusty frame and engine to be painted. It will be well worth the effort.

What engine are you putting in it?

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 22, 2011, 7:57 pm

Same engine, 352.

It only has about 35k on the rebuild, runs like a top, and doesn't burn oil.

I'd love to drop one of these in there.

http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/spe ... P_AAL.html

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 23, 2011, 3:52 pm

After some trouble with the fender bolts, I got everything disconnected and ready to pull the front end off. Waiting on my BIL to get here around 5:00.

I also have everything disconnected on the engine and trans. The only thing I will have to remove to take out the engine are the engine mount bolts and the fuel line. I waited because it will be easier with the front end off. I assume that once I get the engine/trans raised 1/4", I can shift it towards the passenger side to drop the Z bar for the clutch?

Got the garage cleaned up.

This is all the neighbors see. My house sits back a ways from the street and I'm in a cul-de-sac

Power by Ford · Post by **Power by Ford** » November 23, 2011, 4:08 pm

Mike

Those fender bolts ar a PITA. Its coming along well. No need to rush it take your time and enjoy.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 23, 2011, 6:00 pm

I got the front end off. It was a challenge at first because I was sure I had all of the bolts out, but when it wouldn't come off, I crawled underneath and saw the rubber strap was still bolted to the cab. Doh!!!

Anyway, here are the pics.

slickmainer · Post by **slickmainer** » November 23, 2011, 7:04 pm

we got 8 inches of snow here today...yeah I wishing for some of your weather.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 23, 2011, 7:17 pm

slickmainer wrote:we got 8 inches of snow here today...yeah I wishing for some of your weather.

Wow, snow already? It was 60 here today and supposed to be 65 for the next 3 days.

I decided to do the power steering while I have everything apart. It is going to seriously delay my timeline but I'm really not in any hurry. I'm going to have to paint the PS column and all of the brackets. I'm getting a reman steering gear and pump - I think it's worth $200 for both to start out with new stuff.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » November 23, 2011, 7:42 pm

Mike, you mentioned painting the trans.... i just had a C6 rebuilt for my truck and the old guy at the shop told me not to paint the aluminum, he said the trans will run cooler if i dont paint it. anyone know for sure if thats true?

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 23, 2011, 7:56 pm

Bill W wrote:Mike, you mentioned painting the trans.... i just had a C6 rebuilt for my truck and the old guy at the shop told me not to paint the aluminum, he said the trans will run cooler if i dont paint it. anyone know for sure if thats true?

If the case cleans up good, I probably won't paint it.

F7BIGJOB · Post by **F7BIGJOB** » November 23, 2011, 8:35 pm

Bill W wrote:Mike, you mentioned painting the trans.... i just had a C6 rebuilt for my truck and the old guy at the shop told me not to paint the aluminum, he said the trans will run cooler if i dont paint it. anyone know for sure if thats true?

I worked at a trans shop when I was a kid,we painted all rebuilts silver, the owner said 'colors' would make them run hot.

We DID have alot come in from AAmco that were blue.
Like I said tho, I was a kid he could've been

ing me.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » November 23, 2011, 9:09 pm

i have heard the same for radiators. supposedly you are insulating it with the paint.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 25, 2011, 5:38 pm

What the hell was I thinking? We didn't work yesterday but started at 10 this morning. The engine fought us when trying to remove it. I couldn't get any kind of wrench on the motor mount to engine bolts so had to remove the engine mount brackets from the frame. I decided to remove the engine without the trans.

We finally got the engine on the stand and then took to scraping 46 years of grease and dirt front the front end. We did that for a couple of hours at least and then I soaked the frame with engine degreaser and pressure washed it.

Tomorrow we're still going to have to washing it with scrub brushes and Dawn dish wash. I'm hoping we can have that done in under 2 hours. Once that is done and it dries with the assistance of my Metro Blaster, I hope we can get the Rust Encapsulator on it.

I haven't touched the engine yet. Looks like my timeline is going to get stretched into January maybe. I decided to do some other things while I have everything apart.

Here are some pictures from today.

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » November 25, 2011, 5:48 pm

Oh honey!, I greased the foot path!!

, nah! great work Mike!, those core support holes look in great shape!!

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » November 25, 2011, 6:17 pm

Thanks Alan.

There is absolutely no rust under the cab. The frame has some very light surface rust. The front end couldn't help but stay rust free with all of the grease that was on it.

fire truck · Post by **fire truck** » November 25, 2011, 7:30 pm

BigMike wrote:Same engine, 352.

It only has about 35k on the rebuild, runs like a top, and doesn't burn oil.

I'd love to drop one of these in there.

http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/spe ... P_AAL.html

Ah, well you mentioned the engine not leaking oil anymore, I figured that meant ditching the fe.... Hahaha!