Bought an old BTF U4 buggy

Got a little bit accomplished, brackets and pulleys test fitted. Looks like I'll need to do some modifications on the PS bracket as I suspected. The pump is a Howe TT pump that is based on a modified Saganaw P-Series pump. Need to rotate it clockwise to point the inlet vertical which should just be a matter of relocating the bottom hole inward. Will need to figure out pump/pulley spacing later. Not a fan of the polished look so might cerakote them black 🤔

Floor gets finished in the morning and then everything gets put on hold for a couple of days until it cures. This old man is tired and time to chill for the evening.....

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I thought while I have some time before putting everything back in it's place I'll fill the expansion joints. Calculated coverage and headed to Home Depot to get some Sika Self-leveling sealant. It went down easy and looks great, one problem. After several hours it's still very soft so I checked the instructions.......3-5 days curing time 😡 I guess I should have read the instructions more thoroughly to start with, what a dumbass..... more waiting :dumbass:

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Got everything moved back in place and got back to work on the blue buggy. Sometimes I wonder how I talk myself into doing shit the hard way 😂 Could have just rebuilt the 347 or dropped in a new 363 (faster timeline) and nothing else changes. Oh no that's too easy, let's drop in a 351 based 427w because after all who doesn't want more power :dumbass:

Modified the engine cradle/ motor mounts to prevent twist and fit the new oil pan. Oil pan clears everything so just fit up skid to bottom of the cradle and final weld.

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I knew I would need to make new larger headers at some point but I wanted to get by with the ones I have for the time being. Driver's side is golden but the passenger side hits the PS reservoir and coolant overflow tank so I will have to relocate them. I'll have to remake the exhaust turnouts which I planned on anyway.
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Yep....bigger engine....more power....:buttkick:

Fixed the trans mounting holes

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On a positive note Fritz Performance should be done with the new trans on Friday 😁
 
I so miss the old school auto parts stores where the guy behind the counter actually knew something about cars. Whenever I need a part from the local "auto" parts store I try to make it easy on them by knowing the part # and availability before hand. I measured for the belts I needed and looked up the Gates part #s. Checked stock online before heading to the "auto" parts store. Got to the counter and told the guy I needed two belts and I have the part #s. I give him the first part # and he types it in his computer and gives me a puzzled look. I know what's coming "What car does it fit?". I politely tell him he can't look it up because it's a race car. He tries several more times unsuccessfully to look up the part number. "I really need to make and model".....Ok, time to have some fun. "It's a 2010 Ford Ultra4 with a 427" 😁.....He actually tries to punch it in, again I get the deer in the headlight look. "Dude you can't look up the make that's why I gave you the part #". He has no idea how to look up a part by the part # 😂. Finally he calls the manager over to show him how to look up a part by the part # :dumbass:
 
Joe_U4 said:
I so miss the old school auto parts stores where the guy behind the counter actually knew something about cars. Whenever I need a part from the local "auto" parts store I try to make it easy on them by knowing the part # and availability before hand. I measured for the belts I needed and looked up the Gates part #s. Checked stock online before heading to the "auto" parts store. Got to the counter and told the guy I needed two belts and I have the part #s. I give him the first part # and he types it in his computer and gives me a puzzled look. I know what's coming "What car does it fit?". I politely tell him he can't look it up because it's a race car. He tries several more times unsuccessfully to look up the part number. "I really need to make and model".....Ok, time to have some fun. "It's a 2010 Ford Ultra4 with a 427" 😁.....He actually tries to punch it in, again I get the deer in the headlight look. "Dude you can't look up the make that's why I gave you the part #". He has no idea how to look up a part by the part # 😂. Finally he calls the manager over to show him how to look up a part by the part # :dumbass:
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Same experience in January when I was putting a tractor back together and needed a V belt. Kid gave up and just let me walk into the back where all the belts were. 😂
 
Both the alternator and PS required adjusting the spacers lengths. The alternator is a PM 200A Ford 3G large frame and I believe the brackets were for a 1G frame. Machined all new spacers for both which also allowed elimination of washers that were used as spacers with the kit.

Belts fitted up and everything is aligned. Think I'll get a 1/2" shorter alternator belt. Gates belt alignment tool makes this kind of stuff so much easier. Setup the laser on the desired pulley, measure offset, and machine spacers to length.

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Still need to finish the PS pump rear support but that's enough for today. Need to get a longer cap screw to replace the 5/16 allthread (it's all I had that was long enough 😂)
 
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