24 November 2018 - Saturday post

Another upside down video...it was right side up when I recorded it..?!?

16 November 2018 - Rear Suspension

For the last eight months or so I have been buying the needed parts to replace the rear springs and suspension components.  I am just replacing the old/worn out parts for new pieces.  I am not doing an aftermarket upgrade.


So at this point the only parts needed are both rear springs.  They cost a TTL of $330 or so.  So I will save up a little more then order those parts.  The plan at this point is to replace the rear suspension next summer if all goes well with the car and it being a daily driver.

12 November 2018 - tach install

While troubleshooting the sudden shutdown issues, I completely removed the sunpro tach II and wiring.

After I am more certain that the shutdown issue was the mechanical fuel pump, I will install the tach.


FYI, if the tach needs a tach adapter...the ignition box I have installed is an MSD 6(6200).  MSD website indicates that an 8920 tach adapter may need to be used.

Heres some info about that tach installation...

12 November 2018 - front fenders - GT emblem location

Although my car is not a GT, it now has upgraded front and rear suspension.  It still runs a small block, but I would like to change that out some day.

Here are some reference images of the location of the GT emblems...

11 November 2018 - oil & filter change

Decided to change the oil and filter today.  Used Oreilly's 10w30 5.5 qts, and a wix 51515 oil filter.

Haven't fired it up after the oil change, its getting late, will do tomorrow and do a test drive.

10 November 2018 - fuel system

Since the 5th of November I have driven the car three times to test/check the fuel system for leaks.  And so far the fuel lines and components are no leaking.

I have also been driving the car to test/check for the sudden shutdown issues, and since replacing the mechanical fuel pump, there have been no shutdown issues.

The car idles better, runs better since replacing the mechanical fuel pump.  The fuel pressure gauge shows a very steady 6.5 psi at idle and up to 2800 rpm under load.

5 November 2018 - fuel system

Yesterday I drove the car three times and each time for at least 20 minutes.  At no time did any leaks occur.  I open the hood to check on the fuel line connections and find a slow leak on the "IN" connection to the fuel pump.  I went ahead and tightened the 1/4" npt to nipple fitting a quarter turn, cleaned up the residual fuel.  I just now started and ran the engine for about 5 minutes to see if that adjustment is good, so now I wait.

4 November 2018 - fuel line upgrade ideas

Thinking about replacing the fuel line on the "IN" side of the fuel pump.

Currently there is a 1/4" npt fitting with a nipple.

What I'd like to do is replace that rubber hose section and the short hard line with -06an size hose and fittings.

The hard line passes through the driver side engine bay/wheel well and routes under and along the body for about three feet.  That hard line then stops and is connected via a small rubber hose to the remainder of the hardline that routes back to the fuel tank.

So for the moment it looks like what I'd need are the following components:

• 1/4" npt to -06an male fitting(for "IN" side of mechanical fuel pump)
• 5/16 to -06an male hardline adapter
• three feet of SS hose with both ends having -06an female connectors.

4 November 2018 - fuel pump replacement / test drive

Today I started and ran the engine to test of fuel leaks at the mechanical fuel pump and at the carb.  No leaks or issues initially, but then I found the fuel pump pressure gauge port had a small leak.  Adjusted the gauge and that took care of that leak.

I noticed that at idle with the replacement pump, the fuel pressure was extremely stable and was about 6-6.5 PSI.  The old pump would indicate pressure from 2-5.5 psi at idle with the needle moving rapidly.

After a few minutes of the engine idling in the driveway and no leaks encountered, I went for a drive.  I drove about 10 miles in stop and go traffice and on a couple long of back roads.  I didnt have any sudden shutdown issues at this time.

I also noticed at speed that the engine was no longer missing/stumbling randomly.

This is a pic of the fuel pressure at idle with the new mechanical pump

This video is at idle, new mechanical fuel pump

This is a visual check of the primaries at idle, to check for bleed over.  There was not any, so its looking good that the mechanical fuel pump pressure is goooood.

This is after the engine was idling.  This was a visual check to see if the primaries would be bleeding over after engine shut down and there were no issues.

3 November 2018 - mechanical fuel pump replacement

Today I installed the JEGS Mechanical Fuel Pump Ford 289/302/351W
Part Number: 555-15955.  I re-installed the in and out fuel lines and now I am waiting for the sealant to do its job(specs say 24hours set time).

Here is the OEM mechanical fuel pump.

This is the type of sealant used for the mechanical fuel pump

This is the JEGS Mechanical Fuel Pump Ford 289/302/351W
Part Number: 555-15955, just about to be installed