1970's FORD 340 rebuild

[Maddogsmotorsports]

So I finally got the engine out of the garage. I set the engine into my small yard trailer and then backed it up to the skid steer and was able to slide it out and into place. Got it bolted down just before it got dark.

 

[Maddogsmotorsports]

Well I got quite a bit done this week, but we have had a lot of rain so I have been fighting the weather trying to get things done.

So from the last post you can see I got it all bolted down but quickly found out that I had to unbolt the engine and slide it forward to be able to install the 1/2" bell housing plate the hydraulic pump mount to, as well as the hard coolant line that goes around the back and the bracket that holds the throttle linkage.

Installed the new fuel lines and fuel filter in place.

I also learned that when I set the timing with the distributer that my clocking was too far one way because the vacuum housing was hitting the cross member so I had to reset it so that it was clocked counter-clockwise so it cleared the cross member. Also installed the new spark plugs and wires.

Also got the header pipes and a brand new muffler installed. I got the muffler from John @ fordv4parts.com it bolted right up, I hope it wont be too loud but its going to be better than the two tiny mufflers it had before.

And finally I installed the radiator and all cooling hoses.

 

[Maddogsmotorsports]

so no pics but I made some more progress the past couple of days. So before I tried to start the engine I took the fuel line off and put it in a 20 coke bottle full of premium fuel so that I can make sure that the new fuel pump is working, I also pulled the distributer off and took a 6mm socket that I had to grind down so that it would fit in the hole and used a 1/4" extension and my cordless drill and ran the oil pump until oil ran freely from the rockers, once I was satisfied that the oil system was primed. I reinstalled the distributer.

Next I hooked up the battery and the new ignition switch and turned it over, did that a couple times with no pops, pulled one of the plugs and checked for spark and found out there was none. Went to Napa and got a new cap, rotor, points and condenser. Installed those and got spark!

Poured some gas down the carb and turned it over and got some pops but nothing close to it running, did that until the battery was almost drained. Called John at @ fordv4parts.com and told him I couldn't get it running and he asked me if I had tried adjusting the distributer left or right and to make sure that I had the spark plugs wires ran correctly.

Came home tonight and made sure the plug wires were correct and they were. Next I loosened the bolt on the distributer just enough that I could turn it by hand and turned it over. It took me a little bit but I found the sweet spot and it fired up. It would idle but if I tried to blip the throttle it would die. So took off the vacuum line from the advance on the distributer and plugged it with a golf tee, hooked up the timing light and fired it up.

I started to turn the distributer and the thing roared to life but I had to turn it off and adjust the govenor so that it was idling too fast. Did that and tried adjusting the timing but I was having trouble seeing the mark on the pulley. I got some pink finger nail paint and put it on the notch but I was still having trouble seeing the marks so I stopped for the night.

Going to have one of my boys help me tomorrow, they have way better sight than me, so hopefully I can get it set tomorrow and running good?

 

[Maddogsmotorsports]

So I got the floor panel and brake pedal pad installed. Also got the hydraulic fluid radiator installed.

Was able to get the timing set now and idles really good but as soon as I try and give it gas it will die. After talking with John @ fordv4parts.com we determined that the carburetor main shaft has too much play which causes a major air leak so I have a new carb on order from him.

 

[Maddogsmotorsports]

Here is a small clip of the engine idling.