I just got around to reading your last post... I guess that'* what happens when I don't talk to ya for a few days.


I think you should pony up and finish the Lightning motor. Maybe you won't be able to use the best of the best internals, but you'll still be able to build one helluva motor for reasonable money. Given the terms of your financing, you might as well go for it. It'll cost the same whether you buy parts en masse or in stages, and this is as good an opportunity as ever to pull the whole motor/trans and drop in the new stuff.

I'll cross that bridge when I get there.


Finally got the rear end out, un nutted the converter, broke the bell housing bolts loose and unhooked the rear trans mount.

And now I'll take this small minute to gloat....


A rear end!!!

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And my diff pin looks none the worse for wear.

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Trans will be here next week, hopefully before the weekend. Gotta replace the pass. rear brake line as it broke when I pulled the whole knuckle out. Such is life in a 12 year old car. Then set up the 3.73'* I got, reassemble it all, and run it!

Well... I finally buckled under, sweat about 3 gal., and pulled the trans out. Dirty bugger, there were 7 bolts to the bellhousing.... not 6!

I'm tired. I quit. Tonight'* work is done. I'll pull the shift lever tomorrow to ship to Alan.
It'* a bit messy though, don't you think?

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And I took a half-assed picture of the snakes dangling under my car for Bill. The trans harness disconnects from the main harness. That'* all.
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And just for the record, those damn bellhousing edges are not nice to hands. I have cuts across my right palm, and three fingers on my left.

Anudder update.

Turns out it'* a good thing I pulled the rear end. I popped the carrier out and the driverside bearing race was starting to eat itself. No loss though as I have brand new ones waiting to go in with the 3.73 gears I can't wait! My trans is almost finished and then I get to put my baby back together and cruise once again with pride and my foot through the floorboard!


P.*. It'* required that at least one of you care(Ford owners preferred)

I care and im a fellow Ford owner

Lets talk about my perfectly running ford!

It runs great, is fast, has working AC, fuel injection and a great stereo!

Only problem is some lifter tick coming form the rearmost cylinder on the passenger side, and this isn't even a big deal.

Looking good, Doug! Tried to call you tonight, but you never answered. Were you taking another bath in ATF?

Make sure you call me when that tranny comes in. Man, I am SO looking forward to hearing how well that car runs after you get it all back together. Even with the old 4.6, you'll be getting up to speed a lot faster than before!

That 3.73 rear will help a lot

So here I sit with the trans wiring harness in my lap. I have to repin it to accept the later model case plugs. I could have had Alan repin it internally, but figured I'd take some responsibility for making it a functioning part. Once this is done, off to setting the new gears. Bummed a mag base dial and I had the bearings pressed on. Never set gear wear patterns or lash, but I think I can handle it

And look what just came in today, thanks to my good friends at USF Holland.

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Shipping was only $56.71. It'* an '00 crown vic case with forced lube to the tailshaft(brake line thingee running from the front to the back). Now I just gotta wait until Saturday so I can go to this place where a guy is gonna help me with setting up my gears for free. Can't beat free.... Can't beat it with a stick!

The exhaust manifold will probably be pulled out tonight. I will then bust the stud off the rest of the way. Drill/Tap And....



As an additonal note, which would be the edit to this post....