I have chosen today to begin my build thread. For no other reason than today, the engine is scheduled to arrive and I am tired of looking out the window or checking my phone for delivery updates.
My approach is slightly different, I have ordered the 427W Engine from Prestige Motorsports, AOD transmission from Monster Transmissions and various other parts and wheels/tires; all before the build date for my 35 truck. The idea is that when the truck arrives, the sub assemblies will be ready to go.
The kit was ordered with Wilwood brakes, Moser rear end, A/C and electric power steering. My plan? Thank you for asking. Trans and engine will be mated before the kit arrives. After inventory, the front suspension will go to powder coating to match the Charcoal 18x10 wheels. The rear end will be assembled, then the steering and front suspension, followed by the engine and so on.
At this moment, I am researching accessory drives while I wait for the truck.
Here are the Wheels and Tires. American Muscle Had a great deal on the wheels 18x10 for $110 each. The rubber is NITTO NT555 G2 Summer Ultra High Performance Tire (275/40R18)
All four corners are the same, (tire rotation) Tire stack.jpgWheels.jpg
So this is the overall design:
I admit, I found the picture online and did a little photoshop work to it. But, it had the options as I have ordered: Hood, no fenders, etc
I spent 27 years in the Army so the natural inclination is a nod towards that. The color will be a matt olive drab green by "Custom Shop" HotRod Flatz.
What is FUBAR? That's the name of my build. Those who know...know. For everyone else, including the DOT It's "Ford Upgraded Beyond All Recognition" Green.jpg
Thanks Chief, My Photoshop skills are not that good. The bronze was on the original pic, I couldn't get the charcoal look to work. So my build will be olive and charcoal.
Well, the 427 arrived in great shape. Prestige Motorsports sent pictures throughout the build process. "See the first post"
I also got an update from Monster Transmission today. My AOD core is being torn down today and inspected.
From Monster Transmissions:
Great News Steven ��, your transmission is on a technician's bench and is being torn down, prepped for the wash & case cleansing process.
During these steps your transmission will be undergoing additional Quality Control inspections �� . We tear our cores down to the bare case, inspecting every part and discarding anything that doesn't meet or exceed our standards.
Next is the Paint Department. Our transmissions are second to none and worth the wait. We appreciate your patience and will text you once it moves to the next stage.
Because it's a holiday weekend, I figure I can get an answer here faster:
Is this a standard or reverse rotation timing cover. I think it is standard. 20231212_103840.jpg
This is the water pump gasket in the proper orientation ...if that helps. Water pump.jpg
Awesome, I love that drop zone. Did you go through JOTC? We might have been your OPFOR. I was there from 1985 to 1989 then again from 1991 until they shut down Ft. Kobbe in 1993. Fun times
1/508th
Steven good news! Your Custom Built Monster Transmission is at the FINISH LINE ��
A series of Quality Control tests and inspections are taking place. Our engineers ����*�� will give your Monster a full check-up to make sure it will perform just as good as it looks! This stage is the most important to our team, we're serious about quality and want you to be thrilled with your Monster Transmission.
Once this process is complete, your order is boxed and shipped. You will receive a message as soon as it leaves our facility along with the Tracking information. Woohoo!
I have not seen Phantom, Looks like a fun organization. I have always enjoyed airshows and being part of them was extraordinary. I got to jump several platforms and wouldn't trade that experience for the world. But, on to other things...like a 35 Hot Rod Truck
Yesterday I got my final configuration call from Factory Five. What a milestone that is. Everything is in order and "on order." The final bill was paid and I have received the receipt. The build completion date on that sales order is 02/24/2024. And lastly Stuart Transport has been paid in full as well.
Is this where I am supposed to get excited?......to late, that started months ago. LOL
Next weekend I should be mating the transmission to the engine.
This is the point where you will literally be turned into a ten year old boy on Christmas Eve-delivery day. At 64, I could not sit in my chair in the driveway when the driver called and said he was about 1/2 hour away.
Well the transmission showed up today right on time. This weekend I will put the engine and trans together. Monster transmissions provided the AOD set up for 550 HP. We will put that to the test. delivery.jpg box.jpgAOD.jpg
The Torque converter will not rotate in the pilot hole of the crank, just a few thousandths tight, Is this just a matter of getting the paint off and putting a little emery cloth on the snout and crank?
Or is this something I should send the converter back? It goes in, but it doesn't slide easily. I did put a film of assembly lube on it, but that didn't help. TQ converter.jpg
well I went ahead and removed the paint with a scotchbright pad and that helped a little, I then used some emery cloth on the inside of the crank pilot hole. The converter slipped in with the threads of the converter bolts causing a little friction in the flexplate holes. they are all right at the outer edge of the holes in the flexplate, but they slipped in on the test fit and just hung up a little when I was pulling it off. I put the TC on the transmission, rotated the TC until the mounting face of each TC bolt was 1 inch past the front of the bell housing. The transmission then mated right up to the block with a little wiggling.
The TC pulled up easy into the Flexplate as I torqued the four nuts. I think I am in business.
I made the rolling cart from two Harbor Freight dollies and some of the 2x4s from the engine crate.
I also did a mock-up of the intake, just to get an idea of the overall scale. I will use a Holley Sniper 2 for fuel delivery, but for now, I used an old carburetor to mount the Spectre Performance Polished Plenum with 4" Dual Inlet.
A couple of 4 inch aluminum 45* elbows and will be capped off with a couple of K&N cone filters 2.jpg3.jpg1.jpg
OK, Here we go. Just got off the phone. FFR said the truck will be complete in three days on the 24th. I then called Stewart Transport, they are set to pick up the kit next week. Time to requests some days away from the office.
Because it's a holiday weekend, I figure I can get an answer here faster:
Is this a standard or reverse rotation timing cover. I think it is standard. 20231212_103840.jpg
This is the water pump gasket in the proper orientation ...if that helps. Water pump.jpg
Today at about 8:00AM Kelly from Stewart Transport called and said he was about 5 miles out. I moved the wife's car to make room for boxes and waited in the driveway.
Inventory is about 75% done. So far only small items missing like: 6, 1/4 x 1 inch black button head, etc. with the exception of the body aluminum. The packing list says the bottom cab floor was packed in the cab, but it's not there. I will be going through the aluminum box of parts tonight, not sure those can fit in a box.
In the mean time, I had a few friends over and we could not help but go ahead and hang the Moser rear end. Moser on frame.jpg
I built some legs from 2x4 material left over from the Engine Crate. The legs support the tail of the truck while we hung the rear end. It allowed us to put the transmission jack under the Moser, start bolting things up and not worry about the front of the truck lifting. Side benefit: the truck bed makes a great assembly table for smaller parts like shocks. The friends and I all stood around the table with parts, tools and drinks "spot checking" each others work. Great time and fellowship.
underside.jpg Wheel backspace.jpg
Yes, I know the tire is on the wrong side, just checking the backspace. I may need to add in little spacer, it's close to the top bed mount.
Rear Brake mock up.jpg
Mocked up the rear brakes. It looks good, the wheel studs are tight when installing the rotor.
So the Moser custom axle tags...were those on the rear end when you received it? Ours didn't come with the tags and I didn't find them anywhere in the crate...??
Yes, the tags simply stated all the fluid has been drained. There was some additional paperwork in the crate that stated the recommended lubricant and a friction modifier.
Still a little brake plumbing to do. Thanks to Edwardb. He had a great write-up on installing a power brake booster. This weekend will be the engine/trans then start on the power blakes.
The engine is in along with the bottom cab floor and insulation panels. Last week I laced up the safety wire and installed the front brakes. Rolling along day by day.
I was able to get a little more done this weekend around the time spent fixing a patio door and installing a new ceiling fan 16 feet over the kitchen floor.
I have installed the radiator/grill and the A/C- Heater core into the dash area. The brake booster and master cylinder are also in place.
It is nice to have a day dedicated to the project. I was able to button up a few things and start on a few others.
The brake system is complete although I ordered a double flare tool to shorten some of the tubing to make it more visually pleasing.
the exhaust system needs about 25%. I am placing an "H" pipe just behind the transmission mount and putting the mufflers a little farther back. (thanks to the Extended Cab for that) I am working on figuring out a side exhaust behind the doors, Pictures to follow. I also noticed the down pipe on the passenger side was interfering with the starter mount in the bellhousing. I was able to finally get things into place after some cussing.
the power steering is almost done. I still have to cut the smallest shaft to fit between the steering motor and the rack. I ordered a 90 degree oil filter adapter, there was a small clearance issue wit the full size oil filter and the power steering motor.
The intake is set, although I may have to find a way to lower it about 1 inch; depends on the cab and grill alignment. I may have to check out a high clearance hood or an intake bubble of some type. I want to include the hood without the side covers.
The wiring harness is next (lots of sleepless nights thinking about accessories)
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Originally Posted by Guardm16
