Painted into a corner....

[jrttoday]

seems like part of the plan.... :facepalm: :lol: <<<my typical responses in order, after realizing said occurrence!
Not ashamed to say that it's happened, and more than once (and not with paint). Would like to hear other's experience with this - what happened and how you got out, if you did!! lol I have one or two to I'd like to share later, just no time to type at the moment.

 

[jrttoday]

It's been 20 years and in most likelihood, has not been done since or before lol.
I'd like to say that "it started when I bought a ten year old Skeeter in '94", but maybe it began at birth? my birth!!!! That 185 Starfire was a heavy hull and my "74 F100 short bed with a 240 inline six and three on the tree had seen many a tuff year! Even with a 3.89 ltd slip, smoked the clutch coming out of the water.

As we all know, a boat ramp isn't the place to break down; especially a busy one full of self-willing egoes and "knowitalls"! This guy was kind enough to pull me out of the way (I thought), but then lectured me at length about etc etc etc.... and I should buy a new truck.
well... I know a thing or two myself.

I couldn't justify the expense of a new or used truck for just a tow vehicle and my six banger was past due for at least a head job and a clutch. I remembered my uncle (a professional OTR driver) telling me about Ford and GM big sixes out performing the big V8s back in the day. He never explained "how", maybe didn't know?

The reason for all of this information is to give you an idea of the corner I painted myself into. I was at a truck salvage yard to buy a 1ton four speed (w/granny gear). There was an old F700 on blocks that I looked under, had a 300ci six with a factory adapter for the bellhousing. Let the insanity begin!! :lol::lol: Bought the flywheel, adapter and housing, along with an NP435 transmission (6 cyl 1ton) - couldn't find and didn't want a tranny for that big a truck anyway.

That flywheel took a 12" clutch - flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate combined weighed in at an even 80 pounds!!! An object in motion.... think about it, a whopping increase in torque. But the bolt holes on the flange of the trans were different and had to make an adapter for the bottom holes. No big deal, but laying in the grass at home, my headers just missed clearing the bellhousing.

And I wasn't about to ding those Hookers after all of the money spent on this motor. My dad had me help him work on cars when I was five; when I was eight years old, I rebuilt a 289 by myself. This 300ci six I'm talking about is the only motor that I've ever had someone else build for me. And will give details on it later because this all ties in; and later because I typa so slowa!! :sleeping: :sleeping:

 

[jrttoday]

Also bought a 300 short block that needed rebuilding and that's when things got out of hand. Had just been introduced to a guy that raced sprint cars; had his own machine shop and built his own cars, completely. No, he isn't famous and shall remain nameless here. I had a few ideas, but let him have the final say on much of it.

It's easier that I just describe the end result of this motor: top to bottom, big block air filter housing w/vacuum indicator for filter replacement and a really large filter at that (you've seen 'em?) Holley 600 4bbl dual feed and mechanical secondaries, mechanical choke I never had to use.

Harland Sharp roller rockers (I forget the ratio), biggest hydraulic cam available (forgot specs also), three angle valve job, head shaved 50 thousandths, polished and ported, new valve springs and anti-pump lifters, etc

flat top pistons, block decked a few thousandths to ensure trueness, steel rods and crankshaft, high volume oil pump (not pressure), camshaft degreed in for clearances and everything was weighed/balanced... tolerances set/checked, bored 0.040 over and used a V8 radiator (0.60 is within recommended limits for 300 block)

Aluminum 4bbl intake for a six, headers (often referred to as a "split manifold" for dual exhaust), Davis Unified HEI Distributor, Fram canister type fuel filter... There's probably more I don't remember right off, whatever!!
I was not going to intentionally ding those headers and detune the exhaust after so much had been done to get the gas there!!!

But I still haven't painted myself into the corner; to be continued..... lmbo!

 

[jrttoday]

Metaphorically speaking, all these details are the floor, ceiling, and walls; and I'm getting further from the door... with investments of time and money.
While waiting on the motor work, I installed new big block coil springs up front on 2" blocks for extra lift. Already had 31" tires all around, but bought two 38" Kelly Springfield 12ply directional mudders for the rear. Those tires had a 15" foot print.

A 9" Auburn Gear 4.86ltd slip new for $900. Did my own body lift graduated from stern to bow lol, to keep it looking level and so my head wasn't looking at the dirt so much!!! haahaaaaa Carpeted and insulated entire cab for sound deadening and installed seats/safety belts, console etc from an '88 Eddie Bauer Bronco. The body was light because much of it had rusted away! I never thought it was much for looks other than a bit odd!! but everybody sure liked riding in it!

THE HEADERS!! I studied that problem for all of a minute and came up with "I can grind the bellhousing", which I didn't do. Figured it was extra thick from the factory in case the flywheel came unglued. I needed 1/2" for 1/8th clearance - took 1/2" plate longer than the head and had him match ports and bolt holes for headers and intake manifold. THAT took awhile!!

But I had all these other things to do anyway. Next!! When I stabbed the tranny, the input shaft didn't quite make it to the splines in the clutch! hmmmm Took the old crankshaft and supersized flywheel and had the end of the cs cut off and pinned to flywheel, then checked for balance. Made clutch linkages and make sure they'd work hassle free. I used the V8 motor mount pedestal holes to set everything back further for a tad better weight distribution - seemed to have made a big difference in handling? Rancho shocks and heavier springs made it stouter too... Complete r&r on the brakes and system.

Finally, a break in his racing schedule and I got the plate back for $200... which I thought was cheap considering the precision involved. I was busy before but busier now getting everything just so.
I was doing all of this by myself at home while working as a maintenance mechanic at a large factory. On call 7nights out of every 14, maintaining household (laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc), not married which is not all good nor all bad, it just is.
I like building things and being creative, which means, I really enjoyed this project; but....... that dang corner I didn't see coming because.... I just didn't see it comin!! Ain't that how it always is
I'll tell ya next..... and if you haven't had a good laugh in awhile, have 911 on speed dial!!!

 

[jrttoday]

maybe you already see the corner from just what I've said here? It's easier to be objective from a distance. Feelings are not facts unless you take an action based on those feelings; and then, the only fact is the result of those actions. I had become so wrapped up in making this idea work, I overlooked this one thing. Too much going on....

Performance headers are notorious for making starter r/r a pain; often requiring the unbolting of motor mounts, jacking the engine to one side and/or partially removing a header - and you still fight it. The plate bought me some room, but still difficult up under the hood. Laying on my back, it's only a two bolt starter and not very heavy, it went in easily but hit something before the flange made flush? hmmmmmmm

Scooting back a few inches I see the nose of the starter hitting the flywheel and ring gear. Not going to work. I examined lots of different starters and none will fit. Bottom line, there is no starter in existence that will fit this application. Including bolt on parts (carb, intake and exhaust manifolds, ignition, etc etc), I now have almost $5,000 in just the motor; and I can't start it.

Add $1,100 for rear end (31 spline axles and bearings, differential), $400 for trans and more for bellhousing/flywheel, $200 for 12" clutch kit, $600 for two tires; the list goes on..... the interior...... BIG SIGH :facepalm:

so there I sit in my corner..... that keeps getting smaller the longer I sat there

 

[jrttoday]

the first time my uncle saw this $50 worth of rust! (old truck used/abused and the fender wells were see through!), he says, "been parking to close to where you keep your Billy Goat tied up" - turns and walks away. He missed his calling!!! what a comedian!! :lol:

My dad was THE best shade tree mechanic I've ever met; my uncle (mother's sister's husband) was also the best shade tree mechanic to be found anywhere - just from a different perspective. When I told my uncle of said problem, he says, "next time you're at the junkyard, see if you can find an old Model T"
"might still have the hand crank on it"
He's famous for dumping on ya like that, and then walking away to let you bask in his comment!!

Separated by distance, I kept my dad updated on what I was doing. When I called him about this, I could almost hear him smiling as he said, "you'll figure it out".
If I've ever learned anything worthwhile, it's that panic doesn't solve anything. Nor does anger, frustration, cussin fussin bitchin moaning or complaining. Those feelings may be normal and natural under certain circumstance; and rather than stuff 'em, I need to get them out of me. And in such a way that I don't affect other people.

The solution was simple enough; I found out the only difference between a starter for an automatic trans and a manual was nose cone design. One would allow for longer bendix reach. I had another machinist and a "real expert" build me a nose cone from steel. All I had to do was remove two screws from any Ford two bolt starter and use that starter motor!!

Ran for twelve years with nary a problem from any of that set up; no shims and no problems with gears meshing smoothly. Dead on perfect

 

[sphelps]

Where there's a will there is always a way ....

 

[aspeck]

Some guys would say they painted themselves into a corner when they said "I do!" Not me, I got out of the corner ... (is she still behind me?)

 

[jrttoday]

Where there's a will there is always a way ....

yeah.... I kinda always thought that, but... would question there "always being a way". Or maybe there just wasn't enough will... or wanting it bad enough? I had so much invested it had become a real commitment! or maybe I should have been committed!!! lol

 

[jrttoday]

Some guys would say they painted themselves into a corner when they said "I do!" Not me, I got out of the corner ... (is she still behind me?)

and I know of several that would say that! and if I'd had a wife, she probably would have committed me for taking on this project! Might have a few pics lost in space somewhere around here? If I can find 'em, will try scanning and posting. At least I can't blame a wife for misplacing them... lol

 

[jrttoday]

finally located a picture of "The BEAST" lol (that's what my friends called it) and it was!! That six was a monster; the day i took delivery on the motor, Ronnie gave me a personal guarantee that it would turn 8 grand consistently and without hesitation. I never had cause to test that... asked him about break in time, he said right now. I gave it a 1,000+ miles before punching it the first time. Had pulled away from the gas pumps, no one in the parking lot and was doing 3or5 mph and hit it in 1st gear (granny).

Threw me back in the seat as the shifter ripped from my hand and WHAMMM!!! Shifter was way over in the passenger side and I was already on the clutch and hit the kill switch. Couldn't understand what happened until I raised the hood. I like Mopar but wasn't looking for a slant six!! LMBO! Sheared driver's side motor mount bolt and rubber, broke the transmission mount, and had to replace an exhaust hanger.

Chained it down after that!!:joyous:
That was my '84 Skeeter 185 Starfire, loved that boat.
and that's a fishing buddy o mine. Ramp is at Upper Barton Creek, Falls Lake, Raleigh, yee haw North Carolina

http://

 

[Rick Stephens]

Great story. Surprised you didn't bust that motor mount when you fired it up the first time. 300-6 mounts always were under achievers.

Just got my 15 yo kid an F150 with the injected 300 and the 5 speed to drive in the snow back and forth to school and work. Great trucks. Awesome story. Thanks.

 

[jrttoday]

hey, that's a nice lookin ride! and fuel injected is good motor; should serve him well. I was living in Chapel Hill, NC when we got hit with 18" of snow!! A freak thing and mine was only 2WD, but went out fooling around and pulled out 22 very stuck vehicles lol. Had to be pulled out twice myself!! :lol:

Agreed about those mounts - after chaining the motor down, only did this once, pulled the front wheels off the ground in 1st. Banged 2nd and smoked those 38's, banged 3rd and kept on for a couple but she was getting away from me... tire hop etc.

Never again!! warped both rims :facepalm: But up in the parking lot on wet pavement pulling the boat, would playfully spin 'em to turn some heads. This guy comes over and wants to see what I have. "a six! Yeah, on wet pavement and pulling your boat. I'll bet you a $100 you can't do that on dry w/o the boat"

I looked at him and said, there is no bet. For a $1,000, I'll burn 'em in second and third. He went on about a bunch of crap and I turned and walked away. He was furious and my buddy stayed with him to explain the potential damage to my drivetrain.

Some time later ( a couple years?), July 4th and don't remember the year but should? lol the oil injection on my 150 Black Max had gone out and the CG towed me back in. When we got to the ramp, at least a 100 people were gathered around the four ramps. Very steep ramps at that!! Jordan Lake, NC. As we got closer, all that could be seen of a truck were the running lights on top of his cab!

While loading mine w/just the trolling motor and rope, some guy comes over to offer assistance. Turns out it's his truck and they're waiting on a tow truck that's going to be at least two more hours. "Let me get mine parked and I'll pull you out"

His boat was off and tied up to the dock, but his trailer was.... well you know!! Hooked a chain to his truck and it took a few times of me slamming it to get his truck to move; finally got it up aways before he realized it was still in park with the brake set!!!!!!

Water poured out the door such that I expected to see some fish!! She came on easily after that.

Not to mention, it was an older Dodge one ton dually 4 door cab!!! that was a show, he paid me 40 bucks and I wouldn't have taken that but I probably burnt that much rubber, even on a wet ramp. His trailer was overkill too...