Rod's 84 BabyBajaF100

[AussieRod]

New Comp Cams going in:

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I didn't get any pics of the engine going back in, but here she is, outside the shed for the first time in a YEAR under her own power:

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I even gave it a wash (first time in 2 YEARS):

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Fuel tanks out, to modify the vent breathers on the fill tubes:

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For some reason, the US style filling system won't work here (for me, anyway). So, I hole-sawed out the unleaded restrictors AND the internal hoses from the fill necks and welded in a 3/8" NPT bung just below the filler cap threads. I also welded a bung into the top of the front tank next to the filler neck.

[AussieRod]

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I've put in a brass 3/8" NPT to 5/8" hose barb for the vent hose to go up to the top of the filler tube (front tank).

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The rear tank I'd made an insert-able fitting, to fit without removing the tank. Once the fuel pump/sender is out, I can just get my arm in enough to put this in, but I removed the tank and did this at work on the bench.

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This is some of the rubbish out of the front tank after I emptied the last fuel into a large bucket.

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Front tank vent and filler hose fitted (hopefully for the last time).

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Rear tank vent fitting fitted. I'm considering a 38 US gal fuel tank for the truck at a later date, so i'll need to make the straps up for it and get another fuel pump/sender to modify for the deeper tank. I made this in the lathe from a M20 8.8 metric bolt and nut. It took far too long, but it's done the job.

[AussieRod]

I picked up 2 of my plastic fuel cans with 22 litres of our 98 unleaded to put in the tanks. I used about a litre in each to rinse and flush out any dirt and shavings from the vent fitting going in and then poured 1 each into their respective tanks. The new fuel made it idle better, although the Edelbrock carb isn't in the idle slots. I can tell because I can close the idle mixture needles right up and it barely makes any difference to the idle quality (which is shit anyway). I have a new Holley 600 vac on the way to replace this junker. A couple of pics of the Clevo as it sat this arvo after I ran it:

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If anyone has a couple of these fender badges, let me know:

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I'm having a hard time finding them, new or second hand. Let me know and we'll work it out from there. I still have to pull the leaking PS pipe and re-braze the fitting on, but I'll do that tomorrow night. The truck just needs a 1/4" tee in the tank top vent lines to connect both to the charcoal canister and a couple of 90 degree 3/8" NPT to 5/8" barbs for the filler tube vent bungs. They'll get re-tapped tomorrow at work. ( They shrunk a little when I TIG-ed them in last week.) Once that is done, the tub is going back on and I'll start driving it to work to build a bed cage for it after hours.
That's all for now, I'll update more later in the week.
Cheers.

[AussieRod]

Friday Feb 10th:
Well, I've put the first 100km on the new engine, so far, so good.
A few bugs:
It still runs too hot, around the 'M' in 'NORMAL'. I'll be reco-ing the old copper core radiator from the Bronco (it had a broken top bracket and was the wrong one for the '82) and trying that to see if it makes any difference. The old engine now in the Bronco doesn't run hot with my old copper radiator, so I'll give it a try.

The new cam is far too big and lumpy. After I get all the other bugs ironed out, it's going on the parts shelf and a smoother stick is going in.

I need to go back to the rubber cab mounts. These urathane mounts are far too hard and I feel every road imperfection like I'm being dragged on my butt. That and there is too much noise transmitted back through the cab and it's harsh on the ears. The only supplier I can find is LMC. Does anyone have experience with their mounts? Let me know, 'cause I'm going to order a set and put them in, otherwise.

The 33" Coopers are like wooden wagon wheels. They need to go. Harsh ride, noisy as f**k and useless in the wet.

The Edelbrock carb has to go, too. It's a piece of shit to adjust and will NOT run smoothly at idle. I've done everything I can think of to help but nothing will make it idle worth a damn. Considering the investment to FI TECH.

I'm going back to the NP435. Simple, reliable, tough and easier on me. I LIKE the AOD, and it suits the Clevo with the convertor I'm using, but there will always be that doubt in the back of my mind because of the odd quirks it has (being a Monster rebuild) and I'll never know when it might shit the bed, so it's going.

Other than those few issues, it has plenty of torque off idle and goes great. It handles like a sports car, but still has good flex for off road. It spins the 33's easily off the mark and is super quick in traffic. I really enjoy being back in it again and am looking forward to driving it more.
More soon.

[AussieRod]

'More soon'.
Yeah, right. Time flies.
Since my last post, I spent a LOT of time last year, going back and forth interstate to a mineral sand mine, working on a EX8000 face shovel. For 8 -10 days every 2 weeks or so, 12 hour shifts at night, doing gouge and weld crack repairs on the shovel jaw and back plate. The in-between weeks were at the workshop, prepping new machinery for the mine, welding a fab and other trips to other worksites, doing repairs. Ran foul of the workshop manager suckhole and his new boss and got fired (well, asked to leave, NOW) and found another job locally. Semi trailer and truck repairs, heavy equipment and all sorts.
Been noticing the last few months, I've been slowing down and running out of steam. Friday last, I did a hum on a semi trailer and halfway through re tensioning all the wheel nuts, I was seriously out of breath and struggling. Sunday was when it all went bad.

Back tracking a little, my brother Mick had open heart surgery last December for a triple bypass. He's been basically f*cked since then. I think it messed up his brain somehow. A few weeks ago, my Dad had a fall at home, broke a few ribs and damaged his spleen. 2 weeks in hospital and numerous tests have found a growth on his spleen and he has Stage 2 Leukemia. It's malignant, but manageable. Explains why he has been losing weight and so tired all the time. He has already started his chemo and the prognosis looks good so far.

Sunday I went to Dad's place to fix the fallen/falling down side fence. Got that all sorted and suddenly had chest pain, like 3 blokes standing on my sternum. I was hot and thirsty, so thinking that was it, I went inside and drank some water and had a rest. No deal, getting worse. I was on my own, as Dad was out visiting. I went and packed up, sat down to wait, but it just got worse. Then my wrists went numb and my upper left arm started to hurt bad. I quickly dialed 000 (our version of 911) and 5 mins later the ambulance turned up. Told them the symptoms and they processed me. Sure enough, I had a arterial blockage and I was in the middle of a heart attack. They quickly called a MICA (Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance), packaged me up and raced me to the nearest hospital. Long story short, within 30 minutes, I had a stent inserted and was on my way to the recovery ward. The ultrasound and echo gram the next day showed all was well and no significant damage had been done. Even so, they saved my life, and I made sure to thank them all for their efforts. I'm home for a month, to recover and prep for a stress test to keep my heavy vehicle licence in 4 weeks. Rules.

I FINALLY dragged the F100 out today and after washing it and getting a temp permit to drive it for the first time since the cam change. I was going mad at home with nothing to do. Not supposed to be driving for 2 weeks. I'll post up pics over the weekend.
Hope you are all doing well.
Cheers.

[AussieRod]

'Did a 'hub' on a semi trailer (wheel hub). 'welding AND fab'.

[toddz69]

Wow! Glad to hear you're ok! Rest up and get back to the truck(s) when ya can.

Todd Z.

[AussieRod]

Thanks, Todd. I got a second chance, for sure. Now it's out of the garage, I'll get going on the F100, for sure.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

Dang Rod I’m glad you’re okay. Sorry to hear about your family. I swear when it rains it pours. Hopefully that cam helps your idle. Im not a fan of edelbrock carbs. Theyre a carter carb with some extra. My old jolly was a great carb but had to change the fuel bowl gaskets alot.


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