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1204 hits | 58.05 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
I figure after 16 years of hard use I'd spring for a new oil strainer. Also it's apparently often a cause of an emissions test failure, if it's saturated (and it was).
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1198 hits | 62.41 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
There's the new Ford PCV valve grommet. Pricey, but the old one was incredibly brittle and kept coming out with the PCV.
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1120 hits | 59.92 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Popped for a new genuine Ford PCV valve while I was at it.
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1236 hits | 57 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Here's all the new parts going back in together. New oil strainer into place first
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1711 hits | 59.03 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Set loosely into place
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1108 hits | 51.97 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Gently pushed down in, until it seats where it resides
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1170 hits | 68.89 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
New PCV valve grommet going in.
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1216 hits | 48.44 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Grommet in, awaiting new PCV valve
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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1442 hits | 73.34 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Genuine PCV valve going in
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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2093 hits | 67.04 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
For those interested, that's where the hose off the PCV valve get's plug into.
(Posted in: PCV valve replacement)

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551 hits | 69.87 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Windshield out, everything taped off and ready to get at the rust over the windshield.
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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591 hits | 87.53 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
This is the worst of the rusted areas
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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584 hits | 67.24 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
This side was no hell either
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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584 hits | 66.57 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Usually my favourite rust removal tool
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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514 hits | 57.35 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Another favourite tool
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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465 hits | 69.14 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
This one with 36 grit worked surprisingly well in the hard to get at areas.
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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551 hits | 40.51 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
My trusty die grinder comes in handy on all sorts of jobs, even bodywork.
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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560 hits | 48.88 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Rust removal in progress
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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604 hits | 60.68 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
More grinding and sanding to come
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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548 hits | 60.24 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Still more
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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550 hits | 51.27 KB | Posted: 10/8/06
Buttoning up for the night
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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593 hits | 58.14 KB | Posted: 10/10/06
Still spraying
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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539 hits | 56.38 KB | Posted: 10/10/06
And spraying the clearcoat
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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574 hits | 62.71 KB | Posted: 10/10/06
All finished ! Apple autoglass showed up with a Beeea-u-tiful new windshield and did an A-1 job installing it.
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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616 hits | 80.05 KB | Posted: 10/10/06
Yes, you get a brand new outer weatherseal with trim with the new windshield. In addition it even comes with the new mirroe hanger already glued on.
(Posted in: Roof repairs)

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614 hits | 64.51 KB | Posted: 10/12/06
Doesn't really warrant it's own section, but so many people asked, so here you go. Having yanked the upper intake off (elsewhere here), you can pull the valve covers.
(Posted in: FelPro PermaDryPlus valve cover gaskets)

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627 hits | 59.5 KB | Posted: 10/12/06
The gasket closest to you is ready to go on, with the side that is facing up, to go against the valve cover. The farther away gasket is upside down, exposing the 4 tiny silicone ribs that will seal off against the cylinder head.
(Posted in: FelPro PermaDryPlus valve cover gaskets)

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598 hits | 84.06 KB | Posted: 10/12/06
A lot of crap has to be disconnected and slung outta the way to get this far, but these may well be the last valve cover gaskets you SB Ford ever needs.
(Posted in: FelPro PermaDryPlus valve cover gaskets)

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698 hits | 103.07 KB | Posted: 10/12/06
A touching scene for a Ford guy; PermaDryPlus gaskets AND Ford Motorsport 9mm wires. It just don't get much better than that (sniff).
(Posted in: FelPro PermaDryPlus valve cover gaskets)

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646 hits | 87.29 KB | Posted: 10/12/06
This is before the oil change, after 3000 miles. I've seen dirtier 16 year old engines. I'm pretty happy with the condition of the engine and lack of sludge build up, overall.
(Posted in: FelPro PermaDryPlus valve cover gaskets)

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590 hits | 79.25 KB | Posted: 10/12/06
How tight to you tighten the completely dry gaskets ? (yes, they go on completely dry, no sealant whatsoever). I use this palm ratchet to snug em' down and ensure I ain't crushing them.
(Posted in: FelPro PermaDryPlus valve cover gaskets)

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704 hits | 29.95 KB | Posted: 10/13/06
Here we have the air pump's diverter valve
(Posted in: Diverter valve)

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571 hits | 23.86 KB | Posted: 10/14/06
This is a 5/16" alan stud that will allow undetected hose blockage. Simply screw it far into the hose with an alan key. Then use the alan key to back it out later.
(Posted in: Hose block screw)

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538 hits | 49 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
This sawed off 5/16" bolt shaft is also perfect for undetectable hose blockage. Remember to file the edges so you don't damage the hoses.


(Posted in: Hose block screw)

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462 hits | 65.49 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
Two half inch bolts that couldn't be more poorly located for access, removability or for re-installation.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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508 hits | 60.69 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
All 1/2" wrenches on deck, as it's a 1/16th of a turn at a time to get the bolts started on un-doing. I shortened the lower bolt by a 1/4" last time with a hacksaw, for easier removal and installation.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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580 hits | 49.68 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
Pull the upper rad hose off for better access, but I leave the smaller bypass hose on until later, though I slack off it's hose clamp now, while I can.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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436 hits | 58.53 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
Pull off the coolant temp sensor plug for better access as well. I had to clock mine slightly different from stock to allow the extra temp sensor into the aftermarket T-stat housing (it's for my Taurus electric fan).
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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441 hits | 80.25 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
The upper bolt, on the passenger's side, is easy enough to access using 1/4" drive socket, extension and ratchet, once a wrench has broke it loose.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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450 hits | 75.01 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
You can barely catch and tease off the lower, driver's side bolt with the 1/4" drive 1/2" socket, with great effort. Again once the wrench has busted the bolt loose. I ALWAYS re-coat the bolt threads with anti-seize.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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434 hits | 49.72 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
Lay a bit of sealant on the inside of the now cleaned T-stat housing locating indent. I use Permatex Ultra-Copper on everything under the hood, because it's high heat and sensor safe.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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417 hits | 59.46 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
In goes the Stant 205 degree T-stat. Yes, 205 degrees, it's Winter up here and it warms the car up much faster and keeps the engine operating in the most efficient range for mileage and emissions.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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464 hits | 52.23 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
On goes more sealant onto the gasket.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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464 hits | 46.36 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
Slap the p!$$ poor quality ROL gasket on over the sealant. Look closely and you can make out the numbers "205" in the middle of the T-stat.
(Posted in: T-stat change)

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481 hits | 60.76 KB | Posted: 10/15/06
More sealant over the terrible quality ROL gasket and slap the whole thing back together.
(Posted in: T-stat change)