For those that don't know, I am swapping my 2F for a TBI 350 I am building. I decided to rewire most of the truck while I was at it, and over the last week have gotten that pretty much finished.

Here is a pic of the finished dash. Overlay panels, new switch panel, new gauge panel, CB mount, and that box where the heater once was is my new fuse/relay/terminal panel. All the overlay panels and the glove box door were powdercoated with a "silver vein" finish, which is basically just solver with some little black flecks in it.

The glove box door will be getting a new shifter "instruction" panel identical to the stock with the exception of changes for my twinstick TCase shifters. Labels for the switches will match that panel.

Here is a closeup of the driver's side.

A closeup of the gauge panel. Automete Phantom electric gauges. I used a Painless universal gauge harness because I wanted to be able to unplug it and remove the cluster if needed.

1/4" Aluminum gauge panel came from the brother of one of our LSLC members. I told him what size holes I wanted, and he did the rest. I had to grind on the original sheetmetal a bit to get the bottom gauges to fit.

The fuse panel cover is just an aluminum box w/ no top held to the backing plate with 1/4 turn dzues fasteners.

It is laid out in sections based on the power source: battery (constant) acc switched, ign switched, etc. Relays along the bottom for the dual electric fans, and the big terminal strip to make adding circuits and troubleshooting easier.

All the handy components came from www.waytekwire.com. No affiliation, but I have used them alot on this project. :D

Last but not least, the ECM mount under the glove box. 2 wing nuts and it pops out. The ALDL connector will mount front and center on that handy dandy little piece of tube on the front bracket. THE ECM even hides the hiring coming through the firewall behind it. :D

As for the motor, I just took it out so I can finish up some of the moror assembly on the stand. Once I re-run the new brake M/C lines and move the hardlines from the clutch slave, I'll put it back in.

I still need to fab the radiator core support and fan mounts. You can see a mockup where I was checking for hood clearance here. Big Aluminum radiator and the Ford Contour dual fans.

I can't weld Aluminum , so I'll most likely get one of my dragster buddies to weld it up for me. :(

Once that's that's done, it will be a mad dash to clean up all the little details before LSCR. It's gonna be close...

Sweet, good job

Wow, nice, super clean job there. I like it, keep up the good work.:D

Damn fine job. :D

:smokin: clean!

Love it!

:cool2: swEEEET

Rick, what are the details on the radiator fans...they look new and what is the application?

Great job Rick.

You are doing it right the first time... Unlike Rascal...

Great job Rick.

Sweet...

Freakin' sweet Rick... Can't wait to see it in action on the trail.

3 beers to ya: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Looks sweet! I see you are taking extra care in your wiring.

What motor mounts are those? Any other pix of the mounts? They look like a good design.

Originally posted by reorx
Can't wait to see it in action on the trail.



TIGER with a V8!!

Originally posted by Cruzzr
[BRick, what are the details on the radiator fans...they look new and what is the application? [/B]

The fans are from a Ford Contour SVT. I got them brand new via EBay. They are nearly identical to the Taurus fan, but single speed and I think each is a touch smaller in diameter.

The dual fan and shroud perfectly matches the Griffin radiator I got off an LCML lister for a great price. Totally unplanned, but they matched each other perfectly. :D

Originally posted by yoda
What motor mounts are those? Any other pix of the mounts? They look like a good design.

I got them from Bob Firestine on the LCML. They were a little pricey ($130), but a great design. I use the OEM block brackets and clamshell mounts from a pre-86 1/2T pickup. They are REALLY heavy.

Here is a closer pic.

Originally posted by wngrog

TIGGER with a V8!!

I should really be able to get that baby hopping now! :flipoff2:

That looks very nice Rick. I can't wait to see it in person. Will it be ready for Katemcy and/or Cruise Moab?

Charles

What are you doing for a heater?..

Originally posted by Berg
What are you doing for a heater?..

We live in Texas......don't need no stinkin' heater!!!!:flipoff2: :flipoff2:
65 degrees and sunny right now

Seriously most of our 40's, trail rigs, no longer have them.
Most of us don't even have a top of any kind other than a bikini.
Butch

VERY NICE. VERY CLEAN!!

Originally posted by fj40charles
That looks very nice Rick. I can't wait to see it in person. Will it be ready for Katemcy and/or Cruise Moab?

Charles

I am trying like hell to be ready for Katemcy, but there is an awful lot of little things yet to be tackled. I've made really good progress the last 2 weeks. If I can keep it up, I should make it.

Damn, that is a nice job!

Morgan

Dang, I like those mounts! You have contact info for Bob?

Your Cruiser looks 100% clean. Nothing in your pix looks booty fabbed.

For sure there's nothing half-assed on Rick's rig. He started with a 48K mile cream puff from the west Texas desert and has built some sweet stuff for it.

Here is it the day he bought it... :D

Originally posted by yoda
Dang, I like those mounts! You have contact info for Bob?


His email is gutsrus2k@yahoo.com. The pair was $130 (IIRC). They are REALLY heavy, but the saddle design made mounting really easy. And using the OEM block bracket and OEM clamshell mount from the pre-86 1/2T pickup made it look nice and clean.

I modified them slightly in that they are a 2 piece design to be bolted through the frame rail. Once I got it where I wanted it, I welded the 2 pieces together and ran a small bead attaching the bracket to the frame.

Originally posted by JasonH
For sure there's nothing half-assed on Rick's rig. He started with a 48K mile cream puff from the west Texas desert and has built some sweet stuff for it.

Here is it the day he bought it... :D

Man, that seems like a LOOOONG time ago. There is some booty fab in there, but it is well hidden. :flipoff2:

I do make a conscious effort to keep things clean and simple, even if it means a little more time or money. Unfortunately that is why my projects take so long and cost too much. :D :D

Originally posted by CodePig


I do make a conscious effort to keep things clean and simple, even if it means a little more time or money. Unfortunately that is why my projects take so long and cost too much. :D :D

How True! I can't ever remember a project finishing on time or below budget.... The end product will be well worth it... :D

VERY nice work, Rick. Can't wait to see it in person!

JJJ

Another update...

Got the 40 back to the shop today. I had a guy weld tabs onto the Al radiator for the fan, and build a core support from chromoly tube. (This guy builds dragsters, so he only uses Aluminum and chromoly :flipoff2: )

The support uses the stock mounts on the front cross-member with some poly pucks to allow a little flexibility, and a single diagonal support.

Also picked up the new flywheel, clutch, serpentine setup, and a handful of other things. I expect to be able to put the motor/tranny/transfer in for good this weekend. (Finally) :D :D

Other side...

Here you can see the mount and saddles...

HEY TEXICAN!! I'm gonna need exhaust from the manifold back in a few weeks, including O2 sensor bung, can you do it?

Hey Rick,

Are you going to have a coolent return to the radiator or will it go back into the water pump?

Originally posted by CodePig
Here you can see the mount and saddles...

HEY TEXICAN!! I'm gonna need exhaust from the manifold back in a few weeks, including O2 sensor bung, can you do it?
You running a pair of straight Rams?
If so it is a piece of cake, I have the crossover here.
If you are running anything else, I can still do it, just a lot more trouble, to build a crossorver.
In other words.....yes.
Butch

Originally posted by fj40charles
Are you going to have a coolent return to the radiator or will it go back into the water pump?

I'm not sure what you are asking, but it will be setup with a line from the outlet (thermostat) to the radiator, and the radiator to the water pump. Plus a recirc overflow tank off the filler neck under the cap.

Is there another way?

Originally posted by texican

You running a pair of straight Rams?
Butch

Yup. Straight center dump Ramshorns. I should have a better idea of my timeframe by Monday. I'll let you know when.

Originally posted by CodePig


I'm not sure what you are asking, but it will be setup with a line from the outlet (thermostat) to the radiator, and the radiator to the water pump. Plus a recirc overflow tank off the filler neck under the cap.

Is there another way?

I think he is talking about the heater hose return lines. Older rigs returned to the water pump housing, newer ones return to the radiator tank. My 327 returns to the pump.

Originally posted by yoda


I think he is talking about the heater hose return lines. Older rigs returned to the water pump housing, newer ones return to the radiator tank. My 327 returns to the pump.

That is correct. Don't know if you need to return the heater hose line (from the back side of intake manifold) to the radiator or not since you don't have a heater. Anyone know if this is needed or not for cooling purposes or it this return only for the heater?

Originally posted by yoda


I think he is talking about the heater hose return lines.

I see. Since I took out the heater, it is not really an issue. :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

BTW - Anyone have a line on a clutch inspection cover for a mid 60's SM420 bellhousing?

Originally posted by fj40charles
Anyone know if this is needed or not for cooling purposes or it this return only for the heater?

I don't think its needed. In fact, for some of the TBI manifolds it is blocked off. In my case it's not, but I am using it for a gauge sensor.

damn dude. nice work. I LOVE those motor mounts. Gets me thinking it wouldnt be so bad to swap out my 4.3 TBI for a V8..
The wiring is sweet too. I did mine early last year, but bought a painess style one. Man, that was alot of friggn work.
You reworking the stock TBI harness or buying a new one?
Good job, keep up the professional ethics on that project.

Awesome!!

Clocks a ticking....only 8 weeks lift.....:flipoff2:

Originally posted by choreboy
You reworking the stock TBI harness or buying a new one?


I bought a custom harness from Fuel Injection Specialties in San Antonio. I don't have the patience or time to rework a stock harness. I also don't have a donor vehicle to take one from.

Got the motor, trans, transfer case, serpentine accessories, radiator, fans, and some of the sensors permentantly installed today. Its starting to look like a truck again...

Looking good Lil' Ricky. The ramshorn exhaust looks out of place being rusted compared to brand spanking new TBI motor.. ;) Hurry up and finish so we can check it out at the LSLC Roundup in Katemcy, TX. My junk will be there.

I know. It's the only used part on there...

The brake booster needs some paint, too....

I love the wiring, very clean and very good looking. I'm rewiring my pig as we speak and am using a Subaru fusebox but there is no way it will turn out nearly as clean as yours...

Super Job Ricky!!!

Ricky-

First off, excellent work and super clean on the motor swap. That engine bay should be the envy of all cruiserheads! I had to save the last pic as the wallpaper on my computer! What steering shaft are you using for you PS conversion? That is GM Saginaw, right? I am collecting the parts right now and want to have it installed within 2 weeks, but I am still not sure on what to do with the shaft. Also, where did you get the shaft and u-joints, and how much? Thanks in advance. Keep up the good work!

Keith

Originally posted by Del3030k
That is GM Saginaw, right? Also, where did you get the shaft and u-joints, and how much?
Keith

Thanks for the kind words. The PS conversion is GM saginaw. I got the collapsable shaft, joints, bearing, funky relay rod, GM TRE, and steering box mount bracket in a kit from TPI (www.tpilandcruiser.com) a few years ago. Don't remember the exact cost, but I was impressed with the kit and the quality of the parts.

At the time, I didn't have a welder, so Old Man Baker (Texican) helped me out with the install and found the steering box, pitman arm, and pump I was using at the time.

Unfortunately, I keep bending that stupid relay rod on the trail. I am going to need to beef that up a little. Its not the rods fault, its the crappy driver. :rolleyes:

Cool, that's where I am getting my lower support bearing. They want over $200.00 bucks for the shaft though. I think I am just going to have to find a couple u-joints and go from there. I don't need all the stuff in the kit, so I'll piece it out. Keep up the good work, and don't forget your camera!

Keith

:confused: :confused:
Lil Ricky quit on this????

Butch

Which electric fuel are you going to use? In tank or external? Don't know of any that fit a cruiser tank? External? There are a lot of those available! I really like th wiring job you did!

Originally posted by texican
:confused: :confused:
Lil Ricky quit on this????

Butch

You should know me better than that, old man. I'm too stoopid to quit! Actually, I was just about to email you. I'm about ready for exhaust.

I'm waiting on a fuel line fitting, and lack a few bits here and there, but I should be ready to bring it to you by the end of this week.

I was thinking about towing down to the meeting and having you bring it with you back to big B. I can pick it up Sat or when you are done. Whaddya think?

I'm getting anxious to fire this puppy up!

Originally posted by cardinal fang
Which electric fuel are you going to use? In tank or external? Don't know of any that fit a cruiser tank? External? There are a lot of those available! I really like th wiring job you did!

External fixed pressure pump. Application is a Ford or Merc. Marquis.

Thanks for the kind words. I've spent ALOT of time on the wiring so that it should be easy to work on and for me to understand. It has paid off in the small amount of troubleshooting I have done so far as I hook things up.

Originally posted by CodePig


I was thinking about towing down to the meeting and having you bring it with you back to big B. I can pick it up Sat or when you are done. Whaddya think?

I'm getting anxious to fire this puppy up!

Check with me later in the week, I have a large scheduling conflict I have to try and resolve, I may miss my 2nd meeting since LSLC was founded......
Butch