85 resuscitation

[svono50]

That F250 is great! Perfect tow vehicle for the SVO (ha,ha). I remember my Dad had a Ford work truck with the tank filler in the cab like that. I used to stand up in the cab in the middle and my Dad had me operate the stick shift in one of his trucks, even had me go through the motions on one truck that had 3-on-the-tree. It is no wonder I was a natural at driving a stick shift when I learned how to drive in my sister's Datsun 510 wagon.

[gbeaird]

Heh, my Dad had a '41 Studebaker Commander when I was about 7 or 8, and he'd set me in his lap letting me shift the 3-on-the-tree shifter as we went down the road. First car that was actually purchased for me was a 4 speed! 1972 Trans Am.

[High Roller]

Looking at the pictures of your intercooler setup, I remember a member from many years ago who had made a similar setup using a turbo coupe intercooler. I can't remember his last name, but his first name was James and he was from Ringold GA.

[SVOeric]

my only suggestion for the intercooler pipes
-- if at all possible, get the pipe that runs to the throttle body on TOP. if there is going to be a heat soaked pipe, let it be the inlet to the turbo, so the air goes through the intercooler before going into the intake.

[whoyacallem]

Gbeaird, my oldest daughter's first vehicle is a 76 F100 Stepside with a straight 6 and 3 in the tree. I love that thing, it drives really nice and life is better in an old truck. None of her friends had ever even seen a 3 speed before, much less in the tree.


Eric, that is the way the pipes were and I couldn't get them to fit past the radiator at all. I understand what you are saying and I'll definitely take that into consideration when/if I get a different intercooler setup.

I was able to get the brakes all bled in the SVO last night, Ready to get it off the jackstands and tighten up the rear control arms. Then load it on the trailer and get the subframe connectors welded in as well as the exhaust dialed in. That's going to be tight with the panhard bar.

[svono50]

That is too funny, one of my best friends in high school had basically that exact 76 F100 stepside, but with a 302 and automatic. He ended up pulling the bed off and he and his Dad built a custom wood flatbed on it, his was silver.

Good to hear of your progress, keep it up and don't forget the pics!

[whoyacallem]

Those old step sides are my favorite! I didn't appreciate them until I got older though.

Finally got the car on the ground. At this ride height I have about 2.5" of clearance between the bump stops and rear axle.
225/50/16 tires maximum motorsports 43ta7 415-515 lb springs with the adjustable ride height lower control arms. I don't want to bottom out but would prefer to be a little lower. fender lip is 26.5" to the ground.

Put the fuel pressure gauge on too. Loading it up today for exhaust work and sub frame connectors install at some point hopefully soon.

[svono50]

As I noted, I am running the 42TA5 springs (375-440 lb/in), along with 245/45R17's and my fender lip to ground is 26.5". I don't have any issues with bottoming out, even with a Reunion road trip load of stuff in the car, so I have a feeling you can go a bit lower and still be OK.

[whoyacallem]

That is helpful, thank you for the fender lip measurement. It appears the limit for me is going to be the coil over spring perch location. I can't go much lower or it will rub on the inner sidewall so I'll get that where it has to be and level it off in the back.

[svono50]

No problem. The distance between the axle/wheel center to the rear fender lip is 14-1/8", which is likely less than yours due to my taller tires for another point of reference.

[whoyacallem]

The weather is kinda crazy this spring, eh? I have the car all loaded up and the ol' 250 is ready to go but my alignment appointment got changed to next Wednesday. That's ok with me as we got a little snow and a LOT of salt today. Finally at a point where a major cleaning was in order as my shop is a disaster.
I have some parts that I don't know if someone would like to give a new home.

Lower front control arms, rear upper and lower, springs, charcoal canister, rear brake splash shields, koni quad shocks, cruise control, onion heads and those things on the bottom of the rear shocks.
I know this isn't the classified section but I don't know if anything is really worth anything. I also have the original rack that needs rebuilding.

Anyhoo, weather permitting I can hopefully drive this thing next week.

is anyone planning on going to road America at all this year? I heard the Shelby weekend is a good option.

I forgot that I have the spare tire too...

[8t6svo]

pm sent

[whoyacallem]

I got the car back from the alignment appointment last week and have driven it a bit. Now I kinda think about it every day and try to find reasons to go somewhere in it. The car is a blast to drive! I was ripping through some corners with my daughter. She was sipping on a fresh blends from Kwik Trip like it was a normal drive. Got a little sideways and there was.... Nothing! No snap back, just glorious oversteer with a very controlled return to going straight again. So happy, the Bilsteins really make the ride firm but not punishing. Big thanks to Jack at maximum motorsports for putting the pieces together for me. I love this car!! Very anxious for a track day.

[svono50]

You put in a MM panhard, correct? If so, that lateral link is the 'key' to preventing snap-back oversteer for sure. When I had my old drag racing rear arm setup it was very touch and go with stepping the back end out and I did end up facing traffic behind me more than once. Putting back in some stock uppers cured the snap-back oversteer, but brought back the rear end 'wiggle' we all know. Moving over to the Fays2 watts link took care of all that nonsense, just as a panhard does as well with a simpler setup...hey, I like a challenge.

Glad to hear you are getting some fun runs in on the ride now!

[whoyacallem]

Yes I put the MM panhard in. The car feels so planted now, the Bilsteins are so nice.

Looks like my wastegate diaphragm is bad. What is the fix for that? Replace the diaphragm or whole assembly?