2003 3.0-5.8 build

[motorbill87]

It should hold for a little bit, I can't beat on it yet because the motor isn't broke in. Thats my next step tho, I've got a 9" out of a 78' f100 that i'm converting to disc brakes and throwing in a locker.

hopefully a few good digs and i'll get the 7.5 to grenade itself lol

but ya for now I think it'll be ok til its time to give her hell

 

[Mac]

I went all the way back and never did see your motor build up other than the carb and 351. Hope you have found a 9" with the 31 spline axles while you were at it. Running tires like that with a 7.5", I'd be afraid of even bliping the throttle in the driveway. You've come a long way. was worried when I first saw the year and a 351 but I'm stuck in the street mode. No way them Explorer header can support 400 hp if they are like the ones I cut apart. Have to find them pictures and post.
Dave of the Nord

 

[superdave1984]

You should mass produce that alternator bracket.

 

[motorbill87]

ya id like to see what the inside of those headers look like. I'll be building my own set here soon. I didnt get too many chances of the rebuild on the motor, I dont like picking up my camera with dirty greasy oily hands lol.

 

[motorbill87]

You should mass produce that alternator bracket.

Are you serious?!

 

[superdave1984]

Are you serious?!

Heck, it's functional and looks cool. I wish I knew how to make one. Is anything welded in the tube or just the threaded heims and the nuts for adjustment?

 

[motorbill87]

Heck, it's functional and looks cool. I wish I knew how to make one. Is anything welded in the tube or just the threaded heims and the nuts for adjustment?

No nothing welded, just cut the tensioner/upper tab for the alternator off the alt bracket. Then, all you need is 2 5/16" heims one is right hand thread and the other left hand thread. I used 1 foot of 3/8DOM which has an inner diameter of 1/4" then tap each end for the DOM for each of the heims and mount it from the W/P housing to the top ear of the alternator and BOOM! you've got a "custom" belt tensioner set up and yu dont need to warry about power steering or a/c or any other accessories you dont wanna run. I'll get another pic of it to post up later today. Maybe i'll make an article for the Tech. Library to help out anyone that might run into this speed bump

 

[Mac]

ya id like to see what the inside of those headers look like. I'll be building my own set here soon. I didnt get too many chances of the rebuild on the motor, I dont like picking up my camera with dirty greasy oily hands lol.

Measured the cross section at one of the tubes at the flange, a couple are like this.

This is what I found when I cut the tubes apart to get the EGR bung.

Relative size of opening at flange.

Hope this explains why I thru a couple sets away and used the cast iron one instead.
Dave of the Nord

 

[superdave1984]

No nothing welded, just cut the tensioner/upper tab for the alternator off the alt bracket. Then, all you need is 2 5/16" heims one is right hand thread and the other left hand thread. I used 1 foot of 3/8DOM which has an inner diameter of 1/4" then tap each end for the DOM for each of the heims and mount it from the W/P housing to the top ear of the alternator and BOOM! you've got a "custom" belt tensioner set up and yu dont need to warry about power steering or a/c or any other accessories you dont wanna run. I'll get another pic of it to post up later today. Maybe i'll make an article for the Tech. Library to help out anyone that might run into this speed bump

Sounds simple enough except the left hand tap. Could you just weld a nut on each end and then add a second nut as a jam nut? I don't know anybody that has a left thread tap, but I do know where to get some light welding done.

 

[motorbill87]

ya that doesnt make me feel good about runnin it with those headers. do the cast ones clear the steering shaft on a windsor in a ranger? because with the abortion headers i have 3/16" between the shaft and headers. I'm mostlikely going to just build my own headers.

 

[motorbill87]

ya you could just do that, I had the tap so I just went that route with makin it

 

[motorbill87]

Well I finished plumbing the coolant system the other day, started to fill it up with coolant and found that my timing cover has a crack in the coolant passage on the drivers side of the engine. So now I gotta pull the front of the motor apart and replace the cover YAY another set back. Oh well, just gotta stay after work and get it done.

I'm also in the middle of finishing the mount for the fuel cell which should be done this evening too. I'll post up more pics tonight for everyone to see. The truck is so close to being done and I have a truck show that I HAVE to be at on the 8th so hopefully I'll make some serious progress in the next week so I'll have lots more posted in it soon.

 

[motorbill87]

drove the truck on the road today for the first time in over 2 years. felt amazing to be behind the wheel of it again. Got some electrical bugs to work out and this and that here and there.

its got plenty of power at the pedal and not much traction due to lack of weight in the rear but it sure as hell is fun!! this week its going to get exhaust put on it and we'll go from there. still gotta post pics, just havent gotten around to it

 

[motorbill87]

so the truck is done! i've been driving it for over a week now and havent had any issues. sorry i didnt take as many pics as everyone and myself would have liked to see but what counts is that its done and feels great. thanks to everyone for all the help and advise and input.

Goodbye Florida.......Hello Texas

 

[motorbill87]

Tranny took a shit on me yesterday. No forward gears. Gonna pull it tonight and find out whats wrong. Probably gonna build it more and get pics