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Author Topic: Project Warhead  (Read 22089 times)

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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #150 on: January 22, 2023, 08:41:47 AM »
Every little bit of progress gets you closer to the end.  My Mustang restoration was a 14-year project.  I started on the thing I'm working on in late 2019 after acquiring the back half of the Mustang several years prior, and the Pinto at least 2-years prior, along with parts collection along the way.  Work, Family, $$$, and other life events get in the way of quick resto projects.  Keep at it...
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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #151 on: February 08, 2023, 12:50:44 PM »
Did some more work. Took off the rockers arms and removed the lifters. Then I cut out some of the rusty battery fender area out. Still have more to cut but need smaller cutting wheel to get into tighter areas. Also I'm getting my co2 tank for my welder, I'm excited  about this, I have been procrastinatin g about getting it. Bought my mig welder 2yrs ago on sale.  I'm ready after practicing for a little bit to start replacing metal. My goal is to have it running and almost drivable by end of the yr. May not be 100% done but this is my goal.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #152 on: February 09, 2023, 11:01:56 AM »
Not sure what your plans are but when I went to the 2.3 Turbo in my 2.0 '73 wagon I replaced a considerable portion of the battery area and relocated the battery at the front of the drivers side. It made a lot more room for the turbo and with the wagon the trunk (or better said the lack of one) didn't offer that option. It was at least 15 years ago so I can't tell exactly how I did it but the pictures should help.






Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #153 on: February 12, 2023, 09:41:33 PM »
Witt I plan on using the original 2.3 with some simple mods to boost HP like ranger cam n rockers and 2in exhaust .  I would love to get an 2.3 turbo  one day .


Got my 80cfu co2/argon mix bottle. Then started removing my valve springs got 2 off so far

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #154 on: February 13, 2023, 12:55:39 PM »
I fill my bottle very infrequently (of late about every 5 years). As best I can tell yours looks LOOK the same size. Mine is about 3 feet tall. It was $60 the last time - about a year ago. I was SO GLAD I upgraded from the tiny bottle I use to have (about 18") to what I have now. At the time it was only $30 to upgrade. How many pounds of pressure do you weld with? I'm typically between 5-10 PSI depending upon (light) wind, and my fear I'm not using enough..., or inversely running out of gas before the project ends.

If you are getting the cam out of a self serve wrecker make sure you take something to get the Phillips screws out of the rear retaining piece on the back cam tower. I wound up using a variable screw driver set Phillips bit (about 1" long), a stick of wood to pry holding pressure on said bit and an adjustable open end (Crescent) wrench to rotate the bit in the tight confines between the tower and the firewall. And frankly it was nerve wracking as to whether the screw would strip, the bit would break or the wrench would slip over the hex of the bit. Some say it doesn't matter but I would bring 12 pre-numbered Baggies for the rockers too.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #155 on: February 14, 2023, 08:13:37 PM »
Witt I haven't welded anything yet just hooked up the tank. I looked up the setting most were say 18 -22 cfh for a 1/2 nozzle higher if you are outside with wind max 30cfh. My tank is 3ft tall its 80 cubic ft

Definitely will keep the screwdriver bit driver in mind for when I go to the junk yard

I definitely have lots of ziplocs full of parts and with papers identified where they came from

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #156 on: February 18, 2023, 04:38:01 PM »
Took the cam out, and almost got all the valve springs out, also got the mig welder all set up now. Had a funny thought is call the welder the spicy metal glue gun lol.
The Phillips screws that hold the cam came out easily.
I was able to get all the head bolts loose but one. I sprayed it with oil, need to get a cheater bar on it. Does these sleeves look normal? I'm going to switch cams and would need to put new sleeves in.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #157 on: February 20, 2023, 12:10:53 PM »
Got all the springs out, messed with the one head bolt that is not moving. Still can't get it to move it feels like it moves just bearly when I tighten it then try to loosen it. I had sprayed PB Blaster on the very top of the bolt but there was still oil sitting there. I took a pick and went around the edge of the head of the bolt maybe moving some oil gunk so it can hopefully get down there. But I did notice that where one of the exhaust header bolt gos to the block, at the back of the hole is the head bolt. So I sprayed some PB in there hopefully that will work better since its much closer to the threads. We will see Friday.  I do have a impact but only had a 13mm chrome socket 3/8 with an 1/2 adapter, I tried it briefly but didn't want to mess it up.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #158 on: March 04, 2023, 12:21:33 PM »
SUCCESS!!!! finally got this stubborn head bolt out. Tried the impact several times no luck then Tried the breaker bar and it moved a little made me scared for a second,  thought I might be rounding the head or The bolt was about to snap or the socket was about to twist off the bar. Checked the head and the socket n bar all were good. So I continued slowly. The bolt kept moving with a few loud snaps then it continued to turn. But I got it out and looked at the threads were full of carbon as you can see in the picture and a picture the hole had a bunch of carbon powder in it.  Compared to the other bolt the threads were clean. Also took the head off pistons and walls don't look bad for sitting since 1989 and 40,000 miles.  The head came off easily used a block of wood and 5lb sledge hammer to tap both sides then at the corners upwards.

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Offline rob289c

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #159 on: March 04, 2023, 07:51:59 PM »
You're going way further on you r engine than I am going on mine.  I don't know the condition of my engine but after driving it I will soon know how much oil it uses.  I should replace the valve stem seals since they came with the engine gasket kit but I've never done them and really don't want to mess with the valve train at this point. 
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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #160 on: March 04, 2023, 11:21:36 PM »
You're going way further on you r engine than I am going on mine.  I don't know the condition of my engine but after driving it I will soon know how much oil it uses.  I should replace the valve stem seals since they came with the engine gasket kit but I've never done them and really don't want to mess with the valve train at this point.
Yeah I what to strip it and get the block dipped to get it cleaned inside and out, since it has sat for 34yrs. With the block cleaned im going to paint it. You can get a cheap borescope on Amazon that you can connect to your phone and inspect the pistons thru the spark plug holes

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #161 on: March 05, 2023, 10:11:40 PM »
Not much to report but I finely used my welder to practice for a little bit.  Been 15yrs since I mig welded
Was practicing on 22 gauge metal. Not too bad lol

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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #162 on: March 06, 2023, 10:24:53 AM »
Get more grinding/sanding disks  ;D

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #163 on: March 08, 2023, 07:37:02 AM »
Get more grinding/sanding disks  ;D
Definitely lol

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #164 on: March 10, 2023, 09:17:23 PM »
Got the oil pan off tonight. Everything looks good for sitting so long  but it also had oil in it so that helps.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #165 on: March 11, 2023, 11:30:07 AM »
Yes, engine looks clean! Not sure what OP gasket your engine had, but if it was the silicone type there might be sticker shock. Nearly 15 years ago it was $25. I reused mine after some here said they also had. Engine is now 35 years old and the gasket is still holding up. If I recall correctly (it has been a long time and I'm getting older) there are metal inserts so the gasket doesn't get crushed. If you can evenly file them down a bit it would help to tighten up the gasket.


BTW, how is the sheet metal replacement going? I'm months into replacing the floors in my Corvair station wagon. I'm making the floors out of galvanized roofing. It is a s-l-o-w process.




Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #166 on: March 12, 2023, 12:30:14 PM »
Looking good Witt . I haven't messed with sheet metal in the last few wks. Getting closer to start replacing metal. Just got my welder all set up need to get an auto darking helmet to help with getting lined up.

Witt don't know if you know but you have to be careful welding galvanized metal it releases a toxic gas when its welded on.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #167 on: March 13, 2023, 11:06:26 AM »
Yes, thanks for the health tip. As it is the welds come out like crap unless I grind the zinc from the weld site. There are over 200 welds so far and nothing has happened. I have all the doors open and I have to wait between welds for the heat to subside. Basically I lean in, weld for a few seconds then I'm out of the car.

 What I find odd is that a lot of people recommend "Weld Thru" Primer - which is zinc. But they never say anything about the vapors when they recommend that. Based on an article I read some guy said that the 95% zinc paint was similar and he used that. I tried a light coat of that and wound up trashing my first panel when half the welds were bad. When I'm done I will pour thinned paint around all the weld sites and let gravity do its work to creep into the creases. The factory never used weld thru primer on these old cars. Both sides will get Rustolium and the bottom undercoat. Never snows here, hardly ever rains and I never have the old cars out when it does.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #168 on: March 14, 2023, 04:18:41 PM »
Got the inside of the oil pan cleaned up. Still need to clean the outside. The bag is the bolts for the pan

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #169 on: March 27, 2023, 12:32:56 AM »
Finally got the crankshaft pulley off. After trying several things. I tried using a rubber strap wrench but that didn't work. I was able put socket extensions thru the engine stand and into the rear crankshaft flywheel holes. Was able to stop the crankshaft from moving.  Also took out the oil pump shaft and noticed some of the teeth are chipped.  So far the only bad part that I have found on the engine. Kind of weird being only 40k miles on the motor.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #170 on: March 27, 2023, 12:06:31 PM »
Maybe it was a casting flaw that broke off under use. Or, maybe that tooth was ground slightly off and broke the first time it turned??? Goes the other gear show any markings from the broken tooth? If not it might be an indicator that it can be reused. ... (moments later) I never had one that far apart. Is that the drive gear for the distributor?

Offline warhead2

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #171 on: March 29, 2023, 11:18:22 PM »
Witt its the auxiliary shaft. And it runs the distributor. I forgot to check it after I saw this but ill check it Friday.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #172 on: April 02, 2023, 09:33:26 PM »
Witt I checked my distributor gear and it only had 2 little marks on the gear

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #173 on: April 02, 2023, 09:39:47 PM »
Took out the crankshaft and pistons, 3 out of the 4 pistons had the Top gas ring broke.
At first I thought I broke one of the piston rings but
After looking closely on the side you can see carbon
Build up from the ring being broken. And the piston that didn't have any broken rings is much cleaner.
Also took out all the freeze plugs. Now the block is completely stripped and ready for the shop to get it cleaned.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #174 on: April 23, 2023, 05:32:02 PM »
Not much to update just did some cleaning.
Do have a tool review i bought this from Harbor freight
Its the Quinn scraper tool it comes with 2 stainless steel  blades 1 plastic blade and 1 Razor blade
It has 3 positions it can extend too. Works really well scraping dirt n grime on parts or on the underside of the car with the steel blades. Price was around $13 or $14.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #175 on: May 31, 2023, 06:50:13 PM »
Another small update removed the inner fender battery plate drilling out the spot welds and help from an air chisel. Getting closer to start welding. This will be my first patch of meny.

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #176 on: October 04, 2023, 10:29:37 AM »
Sry haven't updated in several months. Got some welding done on the battery tray area. I know its not pretty but don't have a work bench or vice to help with bending metal. Its slow but I'm getting there

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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #177 on: October 04, 2023, 11:00:23 AM »
Glad to see you're still on your project.  I almost sent a reply over the weekend to see if there were updates.  I figured you'd let us know when you had something to post so I didn't bug you.  You had the motor apart...how did that end up?  I am trying to get enough other things done on mine so I can try to start it before I have to put it away for the Winter.  I don't want to leap frog other tasks and get the project out of synch.  I really want to hear it run after getting the timing spot on.  It should be better than it was when I got it!

Keep going and keep us posted.  We learn from each other...
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Re: Project Warhead
« Reply #178 on: October 04, 2023, 08:53:25 PM »
Glad to see you're still on your project.  I almost sent a reply over the weekend to see if there were updates.  I figured you'd let us know when you had something to post so I didn't bug you.  You had the motor apart...how did that end up?  I am trying to get enough other things done on mine so I can try to start it before I have to put it away for the Winter.  I don't want to leap frog other tasks and get the project out of synch.  I really want to hear it run after getting the timing spot on.  It should be better than it was when I got it!

Keep going and keep us posted.  We learn from each other...
Thanks Rob I haven't done anything else with the motor yet. I want the block dipped cleaned and possibly get the block n head milled possibly just so its even. But if I do that I'm not sure what all I need to do, because it Changes things. I'm no expert on rebuilding engines, I understand the basics. I have a friend that is a certified mechanic that I'm going to ask for his help.
Don't be afraid to ask questions your not bugging me, I've been trying to work on it every Friday and Sunday now that the temps are cooling off will be more pleasant to work on it maybe get more done. My goal is to have it running by December 31 but not done or street legal.

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