Spring Projects Completed

Last time we left off I was describing how what started out as a simple project has grown into a monster project.  Long story short, I was going to pull the engine and trans in order to freshen things up and replace things like a new radiator, clutch, flywheel, shift kit, and the infamous rear main oil seal that I have been trying to avoid since I've had the car.

Coming out party

Here's a rundown of each of the projects:

Rear Main Oil Seal and Engine

Whelp, this isn't going to work

Once I got the engine out of the car, I had to break down the engine from the flywheel back.  Once I removed all those parts, I could put the engine on the engine stand.  Except there was one problem.  The new engine puller has legs that come out in the shape of a 'V' and the engine stand has boxed legs.  Have you ever put a square peg into a round hole?  Doesn't work.  So I had to go out and get a new engine stand.  The good news is I have an engine stand for sale.  Anyone interested?

Once I was able to finally get the engine on the stand I went to work on the rear main oil seal.  For the rear main oil seal I went with a Fel-Pro Fluoroelastomer gasket from JEGS.  Except, when I ordered it I got an email saying it was out of stock and on back order and they requested the vendor send it directly to me.  After some research I found out that it was out of stock everywhere!  I was scrambling everywhere trying to find this part.  I even called Fel-Pro and they said they were waiting on production and it could take up to six months.  Right when I was ready to cancel my order with JEGS, a package showed up at my door and it was the rear main oil seal gasket!

I also picked up some Corporate Ford Blue engine paint, new freeze plugs, intake and exhaust gaskets.  I was also able to check the oil pickup depth since I had the engine out (something I didn't do when I installed it).  I never had any problems with it, but I just needed the peace of mind knowing that it is now 1/2" above the bottom of the pan.

Before, on the new engine stand

Old rope style oil seal = leaky mess

1/2 of New oil seal (orange part sticking out)

Taped and ready to be painted

Painted up

Final product

Clutch and Shifter

I have been wanting to replace the clutch, but I wasn't expecting to do it this year.  Since I decided to pull the engine out, I might as well do all the work now.  So for this project I did several things.  First was the installation of a 10.5" Centerforce Dual Friction clutch and pressure plate.  I went with this setup because it is the largest clutch that fits in the stock bellhousing.  The dual friction clutch should have plenty of holding power for the car.  With the larger clutch, I needed to get a different flywheel.  For this I went with an aluminum one from Ford Racing.  I'm actually pretty excited about this.  The aluminum flywheel weighs 12.5lbs compared to the 22lbs of the stock steel one.  This almost 10lbs weight savings will result in a lower rotating mass and allow the engine to rev up quicker (which it does).

And finally, I installed a Hurst Competition Shifter from David Kee Toploader.  The cool thing about getting the kit from him, is they have an adapter that lets you continue to use the stock shifter in the car, retaining the stock look.  Which shouldn't be a surprise why I like that.  The impact this shifter makes on the car is tremendous.  What used to be a yard to get between gears feels like inches now.

Aluminum Flywheel

Clutch and pressure plate (Hey where did that dust shield come from?  Weird)

Painted transmission with linkage and adapter for the stock shifter.

Radiator

One of the projects that I really wanted to do this year was replace the radiator.  The car had an old 390 radiator in it, but even with that I was still running into cooling problems.  The whole cooling system was a mess and I wanted to replace it.  I went with a Griffin Aluminum Radiator from Mustangs Plus.  I went with this radiator because I like the extra cooling capacity of the aluminum radiator and this radiator still maintains the stock look.  Only problem was it was a nice shiny aluminum radiator, so I picked up some Eastwood Black Radiator Paint to make it look like a stock black radiator.  To top it all off, I picked up the highly recommended Water Pump from Street or Track.  I will be running a 180 degree thermostat as well.

Old and New Radiator

Painted up

Thermal clutch fan

Final Assembly

Everything went together fairly well.  There weren't any real problems.  Just a lot of time.

Ready to go back into the car

I've already put 250 miles on the car since it has been done and everything seems to be working well.  No cooling issues or vibrations.  The best part though is no more oil leaks!

The modifications I did as part of this project are just awesome.  They make the car so much fun to drive.  I think am done for projects this year!  (Famous last words)  Actually this year I am looking forward to going to some car shows and cruise ins.  Now that I don't have school, I am looking forward to being able to spend more time on the weekends driving around town this summer.  I'll try to post some pictures I get from the shows.

UPDATE:  5/26/2014

Since this project is more in depth that everything I wrote up, I decided to include a parts list that I used:

Part Type	Vendor	Manufacturer	Catalog #
180 Degree Thermostat	Autozone
6 Blade Fan	NPD		8600-7A
Alternator fan	NPD		10A310-1A
Alternator pulley	NPD	Scott Drake	10344-2
Aluminum Flywheel	CJ Pony Parts	Ford Racing	M6375A302AB
Aluminum Radiator	Mustangs Unlimited	Griffin	05858
Battery Cables	NPD		14300-12
Clutch	Amazon	Centerforce	DF021739
Exhaust Flange Gaskets	Advanced Auto	Mr Gasket	5970
Exhaust Wrap	JEGS	DEI	186-010131
Fan Clutch Mounting Kit	NPD		8A616-1K
Fan Shroud	NPD		8146-4
Fan Shroud Decal	NPD		D-46
Fan Shroud Mounting Kit	NPD		8146-2AK
Flywheel Bolts	CJ Pony Parts	ARP	HW912
Header Bolts	JEGS	ARP	100-1404
Header Gaskets	JEGS	Mr Gasket	720-5929
Intake Gaskets	JEGS	Edelbrock	350-7220
Mini Starter	CJ Pony Parts		M11000B51
Pilot Bearing	Mustangs Plus	Ford Racing	11394
Pressure Plate Bolt Kit	CJ Pony Parts	Ford Racing	M6397A302
Radiator Hose Set	NPD		8B274-15A
Radiator Mounting Kit	NPD		8006-2AK
Thermal Clutch Fan	Mustangs Unlimited		NM1001 01
Throwout Bearing	Amazon	Centerforce	N1439
Water Pump	Street or Track		SCD-C5OZ-8501-HPA