Project "Black Mantis"

[Shaolin Crane]

So you all saw the pics the seller sent me. Well today we got him back to the shop and I got started on scrubbing the nasty ass interior and trying to get rid of the smoke smell. Its dark, so the pictures look worse then before I started, its just wet. I removed most of the interior to get better leverage and into the little nooks to shampoo and scrub. Also started scrubbing the interior plastic to remove all the grubby-ness. Pics in the morning will show the progress.

Also on the agenda is fixing the front tank fuel pump, changing the rotted out freeze plugs and detailing the entire truck. Short plans are as follows.

Roush 200cc heads
Custom grind cam .556/.556 218/218 114*
Crane gold rockers
Long tubes
New cats
Custom side exit exhaust
Fixing various interior stuff
Brakes, fluids, blah blah

Sellers pics for those who didnt see
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_2_13-1.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_2_8-1.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_4_5.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_3_7.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_3_5.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_3_6.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_2_7-1.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/imagejpeg_4_4.jpg

Todays pics.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0891.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0894.jpg
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http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0887.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0888.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0889.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0890.jpg

Not looking to go crazy with this truck, just want to fix the small dents, buff all the scuffs out, give it a good wax and make it look like a presentable daily. The engine is being replaced because the very leaky rear main seal and the truck having 200k miles and me already having everything for it.

Not bad for $1500

[Vettezuki]

. . . Not bad for $1500

Not at all.

[Chuck]

Looks like you got your hands full and pockets empty! It looks good though for 1.5k

[Shaolin Crane]

Pockets are definitely empty. I guess its a good thing I have stock piled so many ford parts. I have extra exhaust manifold gaskets, freeze plugs, fuel pumps, window switches, etc

I should have it drivable by tomorrow afternoon, then i'll continue to clean the interior, and boy does it need it.

[Ryridesmotox]

DUUUUUDE good pick up. LOL...

Is it an I-beam 4wd or is it leafs in the front? I am pretty sure the 2wd ones had i beams in the front anyways.

[Shaolin Crane]

I beams, i dont think the f150's came with a solid axle

[Shaolin Crane]

So there isnt enough room to pull the freeze plugs in the truck. Bolts are really rusted so that doesnt help either. Rear main seal is leaking pretty badly. So see poll for options.

[94cobra69ss396]

If you have to go through the trouble of pulling it you might as well freshen it up.

[Shaolin Crane]

Yup, normally I would agree. But i'm so broke its not even funny. It will cost nothing(if everything goes smoothly) to pull it, fix the little stuff and put it back in. That way i'm not walking for however long it takes me to get the money together. Short list of stuff
$23 Timing cover gasket
$56 head gaskets
$16 oil pan gasket
$1XX camshaft
$20 Valve cover gaskets
$20 rear main seal
$44 Head studs (cheaper then new bolts)
$60 Pushrods
$100 lifters
$120 Machine work
$33 Intake gasket
$50 Intake porting
Thats ~$751 I dont have right now.

Thats bare minimum of stuff. That will also NEED better headers, new cats and an exhaust made.

Probably would take me a month or more the get the additional money for that, time I could be driving the vehicle if I pull it out and change the important stuff. However I know its really needed on a truck this old.

[Redondo Jon]

While looking through the photos I suddenly got the image of:
I vote fix it & drive it now.
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/6696/tass.jpg

[Shaolin Crane]

Ha, doesnt surprise me Ron is the only one who voted for the higher hp option.

[Shaolin Crane]

So I pulled the carpet to give it the cleaning it needed. My dad bought a new 6hp pressure washer and I wanted to try it out. Also i wanted acess the trans tunnel cover to get to the bellhousing bolts easier, two birds. I didnt take after pictures of the carpet cause its still wet. Hopefully the cats dont pee on it over night. I hope...

I also used a few cans of lysol on the head liner, visors and most of the inside of the cab, nothing like disinfecting and getting rid of odor at the same time. Did the seats as well, once the lysol drys hopefully the odor will be gone completely , its far better all ready. I'm thinking about treating the carpet with vanilla in the insulation under the carpet. Not sure. Going to buff it tomorrow so I can get pictures to my insurance company. Then hopefully everything will be dry and I can reinstall everything.

Cleaned headliner
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0905.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0904.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0903.jpg
Carpet before
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0901.jpg
During the scrubbing
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0902.jpg

More to come.

[5.0droptop]

You do not waste any time do you.

[Leedom]

Ha, doesnt surprise me Ron is the only one who voted for the higher hp option.

I would have voted for more power but you just need this thing running. Besides, more power in a DD truck is not necessary right now.

[Shaolin Crane]

You do not waste any time do you.

I try not to, Unless Leedom opens his mouth :laugh:

I would have voted for more power but you just need this thing running. Besides, more power in a DD truck is not necessary right now.

Its not really for more power, i just happen to have parts that would make more power. And its a really mild setup and would still be more reliable than a 200k engine. Just dont have money to do it right now.

[Shaolin Crane]

Finished carpet
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0916.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0915.jpg
Washed belts
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0914.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0913.jpg
How I cleaned them
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0908.jpg
Water After
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0911.jpg
Polished the 4x4 selector
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0912.jpg
Fixing and refinishing the 4x4 shift boot
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0907.jpg
After(before pics can be seen a page back)
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0906.jpg
Paint after compound and buff
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0930.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0917.jpg
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http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0929.jpg

Also made my own air freshener, truck and upholstery now smells like fresh vanilla, no more smoke!

[Damian]

Looks pretty damn clean. Damn near looks like a new truck.

[Shaolin Crane]

Testing picture quality
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0939.jpg

[Shaolin Crane]

Looks pretty damn clean. Damn near looks like a new truck.
Thanks, but its just really a 10 footer.

[Redondo Jon]

That water’s foul! Makes me want to quit cigarettes.

[Shaolin Crane]

That water’s foul! Makes me want to quit cigarettes.

You should, those things will kill you

[N8Dogg98]

Lookin good SC... reminds me of when I got my new yorker... I pulled all the seats and scrubbed the carpet, seats, dash, cleaned the engine, etc... made it go from looking like a 15 year old POS to a 15 year old time capsule :D

[Shaolin Crane]

Thanks dude. I'm anxious to put the interior back in but i want to leave access to the trans port. I'm now debating whether or not if i should just rebuild the damn thing after the cluster fuck we went through yesterday. I'll post up the pics later. Luckily, truck has fresh transmission with a mileage stamping of 190k miles. Meaning it should only have about 12k on it. Also has a billet RVHD torque converter, the very one I was going to install for towing. So yay for that, since i know it has a fresh trans i'm debating on giving a fresh motor and not worrying about it all for a very long time. Or putting the engine with the fresh freeze plugs, RMS and pan gasket back in. I know it will run for a while since its been apart at some point in its life. Likely for warranty work.

[Shaolin Crane]

Since I cant leave anything stock I started loses sight of why i got this truck. Cheap transportation. I know deep down inside it will run for a longv time, long enough until i straighten my shit out. I added up a rebuild with new exhaust, cats long tubes the whole nine yards and it comes out to around $1700, not bad but thats more then i need to finish the paint and body work on the blue car. Also more then the lift i need to fix the white truck. So i'm going to invest in a pump and shift kit for the trans(only $250) and get it back on the road as a boring, reliable daily. Then when all my toys are fixed I can put this one under the knife and go offroading with Ron and Chuck ;).

Now someone buy my camper so I can do the trans work.

[N8Dogg98]

Good plan SC. That's a damn nice looking truck, one of the better Ford body styles IMO. Nothing like having good reliable daily transportation.

[Shaolin Crane]

If anyone can figure out how to break it, i'm sure it will be me.

But as far as modding it, the pump and shift kit will make sure i can tow heavy without issue. Heat, a/c and everything else works. Smells new now, it'll get me by. Plus i'll still need a second vehicle so I need to get hopping on the mustang. Then finish dedicated service, then go back to the 08 and shoot for 800hp fuel only without tuning changes.

[Shaolin Crane]

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0944.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0943.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0942.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0941.jpg

[Shaolin Crane]

It lives!
There is a vacuum leak since I cant find where one of the fittings goes, its part of the hvac system so it doesnt effect the idle much, A/C blows ICE cold. I would guess since the engine sat out in the moisture and rain that is the reason one of them is screaching like a whore. Tomorrow I'll replace it, but today i'm going to jump on getting the interior in so I dont have to walk any more.

[94cobra69ss396]

Sorry I couldn't swing by to help but I ended up spending the entire day out at my customers. I didn't leave Valencia until 5pm.

[Shaolin Crane]

Its fine, yesterday didnt happen so I took off work early and my dad and Shawn helped me. we had it in after about an hour and then about 3 to get everything completely done, then i started on the interior and removing the camper. I now happy camper.

Though, the truck rides like shit, stock 200k shocks and some squirly steering needs to be addressed

[Shaolin Crane]

For whatever reason the night pics always come out looking dirty, but the interior is now spotless, no smell, except the fresh vanilla air freshener.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0945.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0950.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0947.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0946.jpg
95% Done, just need the passenger arm rest and to replace the door handles.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0949.jpg
Here is how I fixed the drivers side arm rest, even fixed the auto fold feature
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0948.jpg

[Redondo Jon]

It doesn’t look dirty to me. First-class job Guy; you should feel proud.

[Shaolin Crane]

Thanks man :)

[94cobra69ss396]

Yeah, it looks really good.

[Chuck]

Now sale for 3k it and buy a better 3k shit pile fix it up and keep trading up till you get your C5.

[Shaolin Crane]

Book is 5500, and a c5 wont tow my cars

[Shaolin Crane]

Quick day pics
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0961.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0960.jpg
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http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0955.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG0954.jpg

[Leedom]

Looking good Guy!

[Shaolin Crane]

Thanks dude.

[Redondo Jon]

The guy who sold it is ‘gonna want it back if he sees it now.

[Shaolin Crane]

Yeah call me sadistic but I have to need to do that, lol. After I got my mustang finished the first time i sent the PO a pic of it and he said he wanted to buy ti back lol. Considering doing the same thing again, no clue why though.

[5.0droptop]

So what all did you do to the engine?

[enkeivette]

Is that a gas engine?? Get it done quick and starting working on your international engine.

[Shaolin Crane]

Its already done, i've put 50 miles on it so far, registered and insured it today. I wont be touching the international engine until the cars are done. They have been sitting for long enough, i still need a second vehicle in case things go south with this truck. I have evrything for the blue car minus a few pocket items, i'll begin assembly shortly.

Shawn: i replaced the freeze plugs, rear main seal, and oil pan gasket. Next up thats direly needed is a steering box.

[Chuck]

So what is this I hear you love kittens or something?

[Shaolin Crane]

:huh:

[5.0droptop]

This is guy as a child


Posted via tapatalk

[Shaolin Crane]

Yeah thats about right

[Shaolin Crane]

Stopped in to see Shawn and he said he was bored and things were a tad slow so he finished the valve job and bowl work on the heads. I just need springs, he's surfacing them now.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG1042.jpg

[Shaolin Crane]

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG1046.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG1048.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG1049.jpg
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG1050.jpg
Heads are done

[Shaolin Crane]

Look at the fun i had today
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc322/ShaolinCrane/IMAG1053.jpg

Huge thanks to Ron for saving my ass, again. I swear, if we ever have a contest for MVP of motorgen Ron better win, hands down, or i'm going scortched earth on y'all.

He drove down and took me to the yard, we went through 3 trucks until we found an axle i was able to pull. He dropped me off then I got to work.

Didnt have a bearing puller (david copperfield must have it now) so I use a 7' long piece of rode and smacked the bearings out from the back side. Reinstalled everything then as i was finishing up my cover, the very last bolt broke, its above the fluid line so i'm not worried about it.

Now that everything is finished, onto the brake tomorrow. One less thing to worry about with the truck.

[Shaolin Crane]

On a happier note, Shawn was able to scavenge the springs from my AFR's that we removed and installed some inner coils, double shimmed them and they are good to go for .605 lift and installed at 135lbs. If i havnt said so already, go to pacific engine, championship engine quality for backyard mechanic prices.
So far engine build is as follows
.566/.566 218/218 114*
Smoothed over world/roush 200cc heads
OBX 1 5/8 long tubes
Link bar lifters
Energy gold rockers
Eagle/ford/probe 395w rotating assembly coming to about 9.5:1

Should make an easy 400rwhp and 500rwtq. Plenty for a 4400lb 4x4 truck. All while passing smog with the a/c on.

[Shaolin Crane]

So i finally got around to changing out the front fuel pump with the unit Ron gave me. Truck runs much better on the front tank compared to the rear tank. I was having part throttle power issues, i would have to wood it until the truck would "come alive" i was under the impression it was just worn out. Driving around on the front tank the truck has even power everywhere like it should. Guess that means it's time to change the rear pump as well.

[Vettezuki]

. .Huge thanks to Ron for saving my ass, again. I swear, if we ever have a contest for MVP of motorgen Ron better win, hands down, or i'm going scortched earth on y'all.

The brother is all right.