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Topic: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install (Read 7424 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #15
  I'm getting a replacement yolk and pinion bracket though so that I don't have to run the adapter style u-joints.  That will probably be adding more cost than anything.

Is there a downside to the adapter U-joints?  Sounds cheaper, but I don't know anything about it.

I'm not exactly sure.  The stock drive shaft has 310's on it ... the bigger aluminum driveshaft has 330's on it.  I'd guess that a full 330 u-joint is stronger than a 310/330 adapter style u-joint ... but I'm not putting any type of crazy power to it, so I wouldn't foresee it being an issue.  I'm sure the stock non-adapter style are probably more readily available, but when you can order just about anything "special" online does it really matter that much?

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #16
Almost there ... put an enamel rattle can top coat on and getting ready to finish everything off with rubberized undercoating.  Sucks to cover up the nice shiny paint, but that was always the plan.  So, spent weeks sing and removing all the old stuff, wire wheeling and cleaning up corrosion and rust, degreased everything, applied a metal etcher, applied POR-15 by hand, applied a spray on top coat, and getting ready to apply a spray on undercoat.  Hopefully I'll have the undercoat wrapped up by the weekend and can start the reassembly process.  Not exciting stuff per say ... but it was a long road and a lot of time spent under car.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #17
Wow.  Looks great.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #18
That is impressive, makes me feel sad about the shape of mine.
Mike

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #19
That is impressive, makes me feel sad about the shape of mine.

Thanks ... but don't feel too bad ... even after all that work, it's hopefully in better shape than it was ... but I know there are spots that have definitely seen better days.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #20
Need to finish up some of the undercoating yet, but hoping I can start putting things back together this weekend.  Bought a new gas tank quite awhile ago and had it powder coated ... it's been sitting around collecting dust while all the underbody work has been going on.  Gonna try to get everything plumbed back up and just make sure it all works before fully installing it.  Picked up my shortened aluminum driveshaft today.  The shortening and labor piece was $155, so not too bad.  I had some extra funds sunk into it on new u-joints, the yolk, and pinion bracket.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #21
The car hasn't been started or run in about a year and half due to the initial fuel hose failure inside the tank.  Pulled the distributor and bought an oil priming tool to drive the oil pump and cycle the oil through the motor before I try to fire it back up ... I'm sure the top part of the motor is fairly dry.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #22
Finally!  The undercoating is now all done.  Time to start putting her back together.  Doesn't feel like I accomplished a lot today, but just having all of the painting behind me is a big relief.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #23
Got a "little" done on the install front as well.  Cleaned and re-conditioned the rubber of the fuel filler floor gasket with some Vaseline and got it back on the car.  Had the quad shock brackets powder coated and reinstalled them as well.  Hoping to have the rear suspension all back in the car tomorrow.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #24
I am curious how the nuts go on that powder coated thread.  i am guessing you will need to run a die over them first.
1988 Thunderbird TC, 5spd
Stinger 3" single exhaust, Cone Filter, Adjustable Cam Pulley, Schneider roller cam, Walbro 255 lph, AEM Wideband O2
'93 Mustang Cobra replica wheels on 235/50R17

'21 F150 Powerboost
'17 Husqvarna TX300

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #25
Wow!  That car is coming along great.  Thank you for the update on the drive shaft.
Mike

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #26
I am curious how the nuts go on that powder coated thread.  i am guessing you will need to run a die over them first.

Yeah, I'm sure I'll have to chase the threads.  I put the quad shocks on yesterday and had to gently sand the threads/shaft in order for them to slide all the way into place.  Suppose I could have ask them to not paint that area, but not too big of a deal.  The good news is the mounting bolts into the frame still cleared their openings in the brackets.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #27
Wow!  That car is coming along great.  Thank you for the update on the drive shaft.

Thanks, and no problem.  The hard part with the aluminum driveshaft is finding a shop that can do it.  I had my stock one shortened many years ago when I put the 5.0/AOD in the car, but that same shop can't/wouldn't do an aluminum one so I had to look elsewhere.

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #28
I didn't get as far as I would have liked over the weekend, but got most of the rear suspension back on the car.  Lower control arms and springs went back in and used this as an opportunity to replace/upgrade my shocks and quad shocks.  Just need to torque everything down and then should be time to move on to the fuel system.  Don't mind the rusty brakes ... ha!

Re: Rear Underbody Resto/Gas Tank Install

Reply #29
Aluminum driveshaft now installed.  Got most of the suspension torque'd ... just need to do the passenger lower control arm bolts and the rear most quad shock mount bolts and then I'll be able to get her back on the ground.