'78 F350 Dually Project

[Toolfool]

Be careful, you're screwed if she hears you.

 

[HOTFR8]

Yes, today that is her in the photo.

Be careful, you're screwed if she hears you.

 

[RivennHewn]

User error????

Like most the problems I've ever had with girlfriends turning a bit temperamental, I'm thinking this one just may be user error.

With the new distributor installed, truck was running nicely. I was running errands and picking up material. Even cruising down the highway and all was good.

Yesterday it stalled out and died on me.

My initial thoughts were that the distributor had failed again. I was wrong.

On the side of the road, I pulled the distributor and found it to be intact.

I went through the whole TDC/no. 1 cylinder/ align rotor/ remove and re-install the rod to the oil pump put it all back together and still won't start.

Finally figure out it's a fuel flow issue. replaced fuel pump. Still no fuel.

At this point I have it towed home, again.

Today, I gravity fed gas to the carb, and it ran fine.

Checked the line out of the tank, and it was flowing freely.

WTF?

Pulled the new fuel pump out, and stuck my borescope inside to take a peak at the fuel pump eccentric.

Came to find out, that it's loose. Not sure how or why yet, but it's either the tab sheared off, or the bolt holding it(and the timing gear) has backed out. Not all they way, but enough to spin free of the tab, which means it's not actuating the pump arm. I swear I remember torque'n it to 45lbs

The good news is, it's running fine. That means the bolt hasn't fallen into the gear/chain and totally F'd the motor.

The bad new is, I'm tearing it down once again.

My truck (and my women) problems continue...........

 

[C_F]

That *****! I wonder if you accidentally didn't get the center bolt tightened all the way. It's pretty unusual for that eccentric to spin free.

And just to make sure...the whole thing is rotating, right? Not just the outer ring? Because the outer ring is supposed to spin freely, just not the inner part.

 

[RivennHewn]

I can stick a screwdriver between the gear and the eccentric and wiggle the whole thing back and forth a good 1/4”.

I’ll look at it some more before I decide to tear into it.

I need to find the lens / angle mirror attachment for the borescope to actually see the bolt.

 

[Lwel9226]

When you put it back together clean the threads on the bolt, and in the cam with brake-clean, then use red Loctite, and torque to specs.....

LynnW

 

[larry_g]

For the noise/squeeks you can try frame welting, http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...2-x-20-roll-with-adhesive-backing-389847.html Used on older rigs between the frame and the body. It could also go between the frame and the lift frame assuming the lift frame is on top if the chassis. If not that there are many different types of pads and bumpers that could be pressed into service.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[TimeWarpF100]

I can stick a screwdriver between the gear and the eccentric and wiggle the whole thing back and forth a good 1/4”.

I’ll look at it some more before I decide to tear into it.

I need to find the lens / angle mirror attachment for the borescope to actually see the bolt.

If center piece tab is broken off or pin is out too far
It can allow center to spin. My suggestion is to ditch
The 2 piece eccentric for a 1 piece. Readily avail. If you
Cannot find one I can send you one.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

I can stick a screwdriver between the gear and the eccentric and wiggle the whole thing back and forth a good 1/4”.

I’ll look at it some more before I decide to tear into it.

I need to find the lens / angle mirror attachment for the borescope to actually see the bolt.

Another suggestion is MOST auto parts stores have wrong listing for a 429/460 fuel pump. If you have one for a FE the arm is different and will not work properly.

I would look close at that fuel pump arm prior to pulling front of engine apart.

R

 

[TimeWarpF100]

My memory slipped . . Got confused between truck 1 & truck 2. Thought this was a 460.

I have owned a bunch of the 1973-79 trucks. A couple pics of my '77 460 Truck.
I actually ordered a new truck in 1979 but got jerked by dealer so never took it when it came in.

 

[RivennHewn]

Timewarp,

Nice looking truck you have there. I like the red/black.

Thanks for the info. I've been looking at the one piece units.

The Fuel pump is correct, and has been working. I also hand pumped the arm, and it pulled fuel. The eccentric is just too loose, and I'm going to have to pull the front off. 3rd times a.......*****

larry_g,

Thanks for the link. That just may help. I'm supposed to get my Destatco latches today. We'll see how they work out.

Lwel9226,

All the screws/bolts/nuts/fasteners I've taken off have had a turn in the parts washer. I did go look at my torque wrench, and it's still set at 45lbs.

I'm just not exactly sure where I got that number as i just pulled it off the inter webs, which have been known to be less than accurate at times.

Thanks again for all your input/responses.

Now I have to go practice what I preach - 'Ain't nothing to it, but to do it'

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

According to Alldata, you are correct. It shows 40-45 ft/lbs for the cam sprocket bolt.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Timewarp,

Nice looking truck you have there. I like the red/black.

Thanks for the info. I've been looking at the one piece units.

The Fuel pump is correct, and has been working. I also hand pumped the arm, and it pulled fuel. The eccentric is just too loose, and I'm going to have to pull the front off. 3rd times a.......*****

larry_g,

Thanks for the link. That just may help. I'm supposed to get my Destatco latches today. We'll see how they work out.

Lwel9226,

All the screws/bolts/nuts/fasteners I've taken off have had a turn in the parts washer. I did go look at my torque wrench, and it's still set at 45lbs.

I'm just not exactly sure where I got that number as i just pulled it off the inter webs, which have been known to be less than accurate at times.

Thanks again for all your input/responses.

Now I have to go practice what I preach - 'Ain't nothing to it, but to do it'

If you do pull it apart I would consider a one piece eccentric. Is the cam bolt a 3/8" or 7/16? What is dia?

If the bolt did come loose its lucky the eccentric spun and lost fuel pressure vs if the gear had come off . .

 

[RivennHewn]

According to Alldata, you are correct. It shows 40-45 ft/lbs for the cam sprocket bolt.

Thank you for taking the time to confirm that for me

I couldn't stand the anxiety of not knowing what the hell is wrong, so I told my sub-contractors not to F anything up, and came home early.

As it sits right now:

I'm remembering the pain in the *** I had getting the bolts from the oil pan into the cover. I may have to re-tap some holes before I put it back together. Hoping like hell they don't break on the way out.

Timewarp,
I'm starting to think the bolt is long enough that it would hit the inside of the cover before it completely came out/loose. Not sure what dia. it is yet.

I should know before the end of the day.

 

[C_F]

At least you're getting faster at getting apart, right?
Plus, since everything is all shiny & clean, you get a whole lot less dirty.

I know, I know...shut up CF, stop looking for the bright side.

 

[Strouty]

Practice run.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Thank you for taking the time to confirm that for me

I couldn't stand the anxiety of not knowing what the hell is wrong, so I told my sub-contractors not to F anything up, and came home early.

As it sits right now:

I'm remembering the pain in the *** I had getting the bolts from the oil pan into the cover. I may have to re-tap some holes before I put it back together. Hoping like hell they don't break on the way out.

Timewarp,
I'm starting to think the bolt is long enough that it would hit the inside of the cover before it completely came out/loose. Not sure what dia. it is yet.

I should know before the end of the day.

Yeah but the cam gear can come off as far as bolt does . .

By the way, That does not look like a 400 engine but a 460.

7 or 8 valve cover bolts? I say 460 from what I can see in your last pic.

Maybe I am confused which truck you are working on?

 

[RivennHewn]

Poll time.

Do I

1) tuck tail and hide?

2) point and yell 'Squirel'?

That bolt backed itself out, must not have been tightened to spec!

Good thing the timing cover was there, stopped that nasty little bolt!

C F, You've done this before.
I am getting faster, and a lot cleaner at it. Still not sure you'd want to hire me for the job though.

Strouty, I've had enough of this practice ****.

Timewarp, This one is the 460. New eccentric ordered!!


It's all good, 'cuz I got a new favorite song:

ZZ top with Jeff Beck and his bassist(ya, she's kinda a thing)

One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you, then the left one will

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Poll time.

Do I

1) tuck tail and hide?

2) point and yell 'Squire'?

That bolt backed itself out, must not have been tightened to spec!

Good thing the timing cover was there, stopped that nasty little bolt!

C F, You've done this before.
I am getting faster, and a lot cleaner at it. Still not sure you'd want to hire me for the job though.

Strouty, I've had enough of this practice ****.

Timewarp, This one is the 460. New eccentric ordered!!


It's all good, 'cuz I got a new favorite song:

ZZ top with Jeff Beck and his bassist(ya, she's kinda a thing)

One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you, then the left one will

1 piece eccentric to 45 ft lb and loctite on clean threads

 

[Lwel9226]

1 piece eccentric to 45 ft lb and loctite on clean threads

I personally like the two piece eccentric, but to each his own.....
At the risk of repeating myself.... Super clean the threads of all oil,
(brake clean works very well) and locktite the bolt back in..... I use red.....
I hope you have better luck this time around, it is no fun doing things over again .......

LynnW

 

[RivennHewn]

I personally like the two piece eccentric, but to each his own.....
At the risk of repeating myself.... Super clean the threads of all oil,
(brake clean works very well) and locktite the bolt back in..... I use red.....
I hope you have better luck this time around, it is no fun doing things over again .......

LynnW

much appreciated. I got the new eccentric ordered.

The bent tab on the old one is gone, which means it's in my engine. That doesn't make me so happy. Maybe time for a magnetic drain plug?

The tear down and re-do isn't so bad. Nothing I can't work through.

 

[Lwel9226]

The bent tab on the old one is gone, which means it's in my engine. That doesn't make me so happy. Maybe time for a magnetic drain plug?

That tab probably won't hurt anything, just lay in the bottom of the pan,
but a magnetic drain plug is not a bad idea at all.....

LynnW

 

[volksnick]

I saw this pin a couple months ago and put it on my wish list on Amazon. It would be a perfect one to hold the bed down with minimal fabricating. If its up under the bed at the frame rails, you could probably extend the handle out somehow. Maybe even wire up a contact switch to the latch to a relay that cuts power to the controls until the latch is open. Keep it from breaking the first latch!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GAZQJ0O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good luck on getting her running again!

 

[C_F]

Well, at least you have a bit of good luck in all this...the engine didn't run long enough once the bolt touched the timing cover, to punch a hole in your brand new cover.

 

[RivennHewn]

volksnick,
nice looking hardware.

I got my latches yesterday, just need to get them installed. Still waiting on the new eccentric to show up.

 

[RivennHewn]

Well, at least you have a bit of good luck in all this...the engine didn't run long enough once the bolt touched the timing cover, to punch a hole in your brand new cover.

Ya C F,
We gotta look at the bright side of everything don't we?

As frustrating as it all is, I'm thinking I got lucky.

 

[Toolfool]

As frustrating as it all is, I hope you got lucky.

 

[RivennHewn]

As frustrating as it all is, I hope you got lucky.

Don't know for sure, but I feel lucky


new part came in the mail today. Gives me something to do tomorrow.

But today I went to an oyster fest in Shelton, Wa.

I had oyster fritters, Raw on the 1/2 shell, bacon wrapped, and pan fried.

All were great! Brought a dozen home with me and bbq'd them up with garlic butter and a small bit of chorizo from a local farm, as well as a nice portabella mushroom. life is good! I must say, my oysters were better than the rest.

 

[RivennHewn]

The wandering bolt messed up the threads a tad bit, enough that I couldn't run the nut in by hand.

I oiled up a tap, and ran it in. Most went in without any friction, but I could feel a tiny bit of cutting going on.

Cleaned the new bolt and hole with brake clean, then blew it out with my compressor.

New eccentric installed, and torqued:

Spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning gasket material off all the mating surfaces, and getting ready to put it all back together. Again.

 

[ADSR]

Good work, buddy! At least you caught this problem and fixed it.

 

[RivennHewn]

Good work, buddy! At least you caught this problem and fixed it.

Thanks,

Working on it........ I'm working on it

I can't help but think the eccentric and the distributor gear failures are somehow related.

Just don't know how. Seems too close to be a mere coincidence.

 

[brewchief]

Has the motor been rebuilt? If so I wonder if a high volume oil pump was added. Those can take a bit more power to drive so more load on the cam gear, can be compounded by cold thick oil in the morning. If the cam gear wasn't a tight press fit then the roll pin might have seen more load then it could handle.

Cam gear bolt get threadlocker?

 

[RivennHewn]

Brewchief,

I am assuming the 460 has been rebuilt, but it's an unknown about when, who, and what all was done. I see bar code stickers on the heads.

I did use thread lock on the bolt this time, and wishing I had last time!

 

[RivennHewn]

Running, again.

When I tore into this, I looked at the hose clamps and thought they were trash so I tossed them.

I've been to the auto parts store 5 times since.

Today, I got everything put back together, but needed 2 hose clamps for the radiator hose.

Back to the store for 2.89 worth of hose clamps.

I put the lower one on, then got distracted with phone/emails.

Totally forgot to put the upper on.

Fired it up, and had it idling, hood up.

Then, catafuckingstrophic explosion!!!!

I lost all my coolant in about .5 seconds.

I've got both hose clamps on now

And my favorite song (this week)

 

[Toolfool]

Did that re-connecting a kitchen sink. Distraction leads to disaster.

I like that version of Sixteen Tons.

 

[RivennHewn]

Distraction leads to disaster.

Look, squirrel!!!!!!



Billy Gibbons could sing just about anything and it would be cool!

 

[RivennHewn]

Cautiously optimistic.......


Hate to jinx anything here, but I believe this old truck is running better now than it has since I bought it. Idle has toned down, and smoothened out, much more responsive to the gas pedal, and turns on and off instantly.

There was a new noise/vibration that I couldn't quite pin down. I finally determined it was a belt. I did the old bar of soap trick, and it immediately quieted down. Some old-timer told be about that years ago, but this was the 1st time I've tried it.

Also played around with a paint pen.
The radiator runs about 200 degrees. A little uncomfortable to the touch.

I still can't seem to get enough of this though:

 

[Toolfool]

I have to replay that every time you post it. And it's 11:05 pm. Good night.

 

[C_F]

Cautiously optimistic.......


Hate to jinx anything here, but I believe this old truck is running better now than it has since I bought it. Idle has toned down, and smoothened out, much more responsive to the gas pedal, and turns on and off instantly.

That's great, congrats! Sounds like the truck really likes all the attention you're giving it, I think I can even see it smiling.

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks C F,

I'm not sure if it's smiling, but I don't think it has resting ***** face anymore either.

I'm trying to take it easy (ya know the whole Eagles/ flatbed Ford thing) til I get to trust it again. I'll have a world of trouble if I have to pay another tow bill.

I did ventur-a out onto the highway today.

Making it home was just another one of the miracles with this old truck