I got a chance to work on my Bump this fall for the first time in over a year. It seems that something always manages to take time and money away from my projects, but I did get a little bit done.
When I left off last time, I was getting ready to put my instrument cluster back in. I looked at my bezel and decided it had seen better days. Some sandpaper, some gray primer, some Chrome paint and a couple hours of my time made quite an improvement, IMO.
I got a little too enthusiastic to get it installed and forgot to touch up the black areas.
I needed an alternator and was lucky enough to find one at the boneyard for $25. It looks like a reman that had been recently installed on the donor truck. The fan shroud cost me $10 at the same boneyard a few years ago. I'm on a really tight budget with my projects, so when I find a good deal it helps me out a lot. I don't know yet what I'm going to do about those valve covers. My original plan was to have them chromed along with some other parts, including my hood hinges. I think I probably will end up painting the hinges instead. I like the "Powered By Ford" chrome valve covers, but there are some other styles I like too. That will have to wait awhile though.
I've been trying to get my truck up and running for quite some time now and actually thought it would be running two or three years ago. Well, I finally managed to fire up my 390 for the first time in over twelve years. Although I had been turning the engine with a wrench at least once a year, this was the first time she had been cranked with the starter since I parked her around 2002. I had some concerns, but she turned and fired up without any serious issues. There are a couple of little noises that I have to investigate.
This carb had never been run on this engine before. I did rebuild it before installing it. I had to tweak the Idle Mixture very slightly, but it was actually very close even before I adjusted it. Of course, I had to bump my timing a little too.
The Vacuum Gauge is steady and she has oil pressure.
Still a few things to do before I can drive her. I have to buy some front brake hoses. I still have to get tires and decide on some wheels. I am also thinking of installing a seat from an early '90s Ford. I'm getting closer to getting her on the road.
Now that Photobucket has basically eviscerated my project thread, I just thought I'd mention that I will be uploading my
1969 Ford F-100 "PROJECT BLACKJACK" videos to my YouTube Channel.