Oh What An Adventure!

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   Fella's;

This is about transportation in the outdoors, but it's not gonna be what you think.  It's an out-and-out rant.

As many of you know, we inherited a small ranch several years ago.  This year we're in the process of building an addition to the ranch house and living here during the construction.  One of the non-remodeling projects has been to clean up the place.  That entails getting rid of all the scrap metal, of which there's a lot.  And that means putting it into the 5-ton truck and hauling it in to the scrap yard.  Which I did last week, no big deal just a PIA.  The truck is a 1969  Ford F600, old and slow.  Top speed downhill with a tailwind is about 55 mph.  That's with the two-speed rear end in high gear too!   Got to town, ran out of gas in the scrap yard, which was embarrassing, and back to the ranch without any other problems.

My Son-In-Law, then attempted to move the truck so all the sheetrock scrap could go into it & then go to the dump.  When he fired it, it ch!t the bed.  The front intake manifold gasket puked out the front let all the internal fluids out.  I'm not a Ford guy in the least, but I'm also a little over 40 miles away from the automotive repair shop I use.  So I'm doing it myself.  Yesterday I was in town and got what I thought I'd need to do the work and put it back together.  Today I tore it down.

I've come to the realization that in the immediate post WWII era, all the top-flight engineers in the U.S. worked for the U.S. government on things like atom bombs, nuclear  submarines, and combat aircraft.  The second tier worked for G.M., G.E., Xerox, Polaroid, and companies like that.  The third level worked for established companies that didn't need cutting edge technology, say railroads, ag implement manufacturer's, and local governments.

The engineering rejects designed the Ford Y-block engine!  And that's no joke.  To change the intake gasket set, you take off the valve covers.  Huh?  You also have to pull the pushrods that actuate the valves!

The distributor is in front and should be pulled also, but try as I  did, it wouldn't come out.  So I had to pull the cast iron extremely large and very heavy intake manifold with the distributor in place.  Then it came out.  And did I mention the goofy little hose between the intake manifold and the water pump?  

All advice from several excellent sources state that when installing the new intake gasket set: "throw the %^&*^% cork bridge gaskets (like the one that blew out) away.  When properly thrown away, put a thick bead of "Rite Stuff" gasket goo where the offending cork gaskets were to go.  Let the stuff set up for a couple of hours and then set the intake manifold in place.

If I ever find out if the fools that designed that POS are still alive, I'll buy a contract with the Purple Gang to rectify the situation.  They had to have gone to stupid school!

I shall now take a shower and drink my dinner.

     900F

P.S. I'm now even more disenchanted with Dorf's than I was, if that's possible.

Edited by CB900F

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CB900F Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Honor, Integrity Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Eritrea Status: Offline Points: 8857	Post Options Post Reply Quote CB900F Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Oh What An Adventure! Posted: 25 September 2014 at 13:55
	Fella's; This is about transportation in the outdoors, but it's not gonna be what you think. It's an out-and-out rant. As many of you know, we inherited a small ranch several years ago. This year we're in the process of building an addition to the ranch house and living here during the construction. One of the non-remodeling projects has been to clean up the place. That entails getting rid of all the scrap metal, of which there's a lot. And that means putting it into the 5-ton truck and hauling it in to the scrap yard. Which I did last week, no big deal just a PIA. The truck is a 1969 Ford F600, old and slow. Top speed downhill with a tailwind is about 55 mph. That's with the two-speed rear end in high gear too! Got to town, ran out of gas in the scrap yard, which was embarrassing, and back to the ranch without any other problems. My Son-In-Law, then attempted to move the truck so all the sheetrock scrap could go into it & then go to the dump. When he fired it, it ch!t the bed. The front intake manifold gasket puked out the front let all the internal fluids out. I'm not a Ford guy in the least, but I'm also a little over 40 miles away from the automotive repair shop I use. So I'm doing it myself. Yesterday I was in town and got what I thought I'd need to do the work and put it back together. Today I tore it down. I've come to the realization that in the immediate post WWII era, all the top-flight engineers in the U.S. worked for the U.S. government on things like atom bombs, nuclear submarines, and combat aircraft. The second tier worked for G.M., G.E., Xerox, Polaroid, and companies like that. The third level worked for established companies that didn't need cutting edge technology, say railroads, ag implement manufacturer's, and local governments. The engineering rejects designed the Ford Y-block engine! And that's no joke. To change the intake gasket set, you take off the valve covers. Huh? You also have to pull the pushrods that actuate the valves! The distributor is in front and should be pulled also, but try as I did, it wouldn't come out. So I had to pull the cast iron extremely large and very heavy intake manifold with the distributor in place. Then it came out. And did I mention the goofy little hose between the intake manifold and the water pump? All advice from several excellent sources state that when installing the new intake gasket set: "throw the %^&*^% cork bridge gaskets (like the one that blew out) away. When properly thrown away, put a thick bead of "Rite Stuff" gasket goo where the offending cork gaskets were to go. Let the stuff set up for a couple of hours and then set the intake manifold in place. If I ever find out if the fools that designed that POS are still alive, I'll buy a contract with the Purple Gang to rectify the situation. They had to have gone to stupid school! I shall now take a shower and drink my dinner. 900F P.S. I'm now even more disenchanted with Dorf's than I was, if that's possible. Edited by CB900F
	Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 September 2014 at 14:08
	I feel for you buddy. Chevy is not a lot better. Remember the power steering hose on the 350. You START by taking off the fan and shrouded, and work back to the block. Alternator AC all the belts and brackets then pull the pulley on the PS then the bracket and take off the reviver for PS pump THEN the $5 hose. A 5 hour job... Damn engineers !!! Edited by d4570
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

RobertMT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 12 March 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4413	Post Options Post Reply Quote RobertMT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 September 2014 at 17:05
	I just had to change glow plugs on 96 Ford. They put them under the valve covers, which are under intake and turbo plumbing and they put an extra valve cover bolt next to firewall, that takes wobble socket and universal joint to reach around corner. They also chose to put wiring harness for injectors and glow plugs, under valve cover. Luckily none of the glow plug tips broke off, dropping into cylinder, which then requires you to pull heads. At least we had a couple days of record heat, to help things along.
	Want to stop Drunk Drivers, from Killing Sober Drivers? Ban Sober Drivers from Driving. That's how Gun Control Works. NRA Benefactor Life, GOA Patriot, SAF

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 September 2014 at 22:18
	My '70 chevy 327 had one plug that could only be replaced by pulling the engine. the plug was in the engine when they put it in the car and no way to get to it. dealer charged me for 8 plugs... when I asked about the rear right bank plug, he reached under the counter and said " here it is, tke it, no way to change it (something I knew). Problem is not the engineers. The car/truck is designed by about 40 different people, often in different states. to complicated a mechanism to co-ordinate! Once taled to an automotive engineer. He said he changes jobs every 5 years; because about 5 years and his project goes to production, and he doesn't want the 'problems' of getting it built and operaring right!!

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 September 2014 at 04:36
	Was your 327 in a Corvette Bear? I don't remember what car it was in for sure, but I think it was the Corvette that you couldn't get to the number 8 spark plug. (right rear). I used a 1 inch hole saw and drilled a hole in the inner wheel well and there it was. Then put one of those stamped steel plugs in the hole and everyone was happy. Wing master
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

CB900F Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Honor, Integrity Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Eritrea Status: Offline Points: 8857	Post Options Post Reply Quote CB900F Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 September 2014 at 06:43
	Fella's; The V-8 Monza was another one that both rear plugs needed an engine dismount to change. Basically, the Monza was an upscale (if that was possible) version of the Vega. The 330 cubic inch Ford Y-block isn't at all hard to get to in this case. It's just that the design of the thing is sooooo stupid! Needlessly complicated, large, heavy, and inefficient. Victorian era engineering produced in America in the early 50's. In other words, literally over a half century out of date. Manufacturing processes developed out of the harsh necessity of WWII, completely ignored! Bah! Humbug!! 900F
	Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!

BEAR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Joined: 07 September 2013 Location: Appalachian Mtn Status: Offline Points: 14390	Post Options Post Reply Quote BEAR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 September 2014 at 01:30
	no 'vette... it was a 4 door hardtop Impala. Hey, CB, sounds like 60+ years in a ranch life means it was a pretty good design! nothing like that available to day.

jsgbearpaws1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 02 March 2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3606	Post Options Post Reply Quote jsgbearpaws1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 September 2014 at 14:10
	Just spent a week doing brake lines on an 04 grand am.....metric fittings, double flared, standard dia. lines and the whole front end has to be removed to get to them. I'll take an old truck over that anytime. Even my old 427 wedge was a breeze compared to that. Had a 440 in a Charger that the fender wells had to be removed to get to the plugs. The "Makes-you-bitchie's" have to have the engine removed for all but oil changes. They made those old heavy motors after the war when men were still manly and wrestled them for something to do in there spare time I guess.
	...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt!

deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 991201	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 September 2014 at 15:11
	Well if they light off a nuke over Malmstrom You'll be one of the few with a EMP proof vehicle. Something to look forward to anyway? Ford = Found On Road Dead. Fixed it for ya! DD Edited by CB900F
	Endeavor to persevere.