When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Front fenders on and engine plumbed mostly. Need to install the regulator and fuel lines and a couple of brake fittings...coming together slowly but surely. Lots of little odds and ends and then wiring the engine bay.
I have nothing significant to add, just "Dat's purdy!"
I'm happy to report that my new wiring harness is in!! I ran out of shrink tube and wire loom so I have my fan hot and my charcoal purge solenoid to wire yet but the wire is there waiting. And since I swapped to a 94 front I have to change out the headlight connectors as they changed to 9004 style bulbs. But I was actually able to bump the motor. I have rear lights, reverse lights, brake lights intermittent wipers, radio and at least the voltage gauge is working. Fuel tank is empty and no oil pressure or water yet so not sure on those. Seat belt indicator and buzzer works. Turn signals don't blink only solid so have to diagnose that. But I'm getting close. Next up is to finish fuel line from regulator to carb and start filling fluids. Waiting on an oil primer to prime oil pump before cranking and setting timing.
Here's a couple pictures of the wired up and plumbed up engine bay....Everything in electrical, vaccum, water, etc. except for the fuel line to the carb...I have to drill/tap some mounting holes in the frame for the psi regulator.
I cheated a little bit on the grounds....I bought a grounding kit that had the octogon hub...made for a nice termination point for the battery, electric fan, and frame/body grounds. Because the truck was newly painted I didn't feel like sanding down the fender mounting points to the firewall, so I ran the heavy duty ground straps to each fender, the firewall, the engine, the radiator core, the transmission and the frame. I did sand clean the individual points where the braids attach. I checked with a meter and I have 0 to .1 ohm everywhere on the truck that matters.
You'll notice in the first picture....no more computer...such a nice feeling
So, put in 5qts of oil, 3 gallons of antifreeze, 1.5 pts of power steering fluid, brake fluid in the MC, and 5 qts (of 10) in the transmission. Letting everything sit overnight to check for static fluid leaks...but so far so good.
Plan tomorrow is to mount fuel regulator and plumb in remaining fuel line. My oil primer rod for the oil pump came in today, so once I have fuel, I'll pull the distributor and valve cover, prime the oil, and rotate the engine twice. Once I've proven oil flow, I'll reset the initial timing, cross my fingers and fire it up. Let the converter fill up with tranny fluid and top off the remaining 5 quarts.
If all goes well, then Tuesday, bleed the brakes and buy some new U-joints. Re-install the drive shaft. Thursday or Friday, maybe a maiden voyage??
So, yesterday, I mounted the fuel regulator and headed to the local speed shop to pickup all the necessary -AN fittings. Missing one 90 AN...was told it would be in today. Went back and no dice. So I ordered the last fitting today on Amazon to be here tomorrow. In the meantime, oil pump primed, oil pressure gauge working (woohoo), oil squirting out of the rockers...initial timing put back. Ready to RUN as soon as I get the one fuel fitting...Almost tempted to run a siphon into the carb but don't want to risk a fire...last thing I need.
Oh, and still haven't bled the brakes...my stupid brake bleed vacuum reservoir is missing the gasket...never used it in all these years, and I pull it off the shelf and no sealing gasket.
