While I waited for the first crate motor to arrive, I switched from power brakes to manual brakes. Remember, these trucks came with manual, drum brakes all around and a single reservoir master cylinder! With the Crown Vic front clip and 8.8 rear end, I now had disc brakes all around. I originally got a kit that is specific for these trucks with a CV swap and installed a new double master cylinder and booster. If you ever need to bleed an entire brake system, I recommend the tool/system that allows you to use your compressor to bleed the brakes. $60 and worth every penny in my opinion.
Once the truck was running and driving the brakes worked very well but I did not like the look of the huge master cylinder and booster on the firewall. I know, "function over form", but I didn't like it. Some hot-rodders hide the master cylinder down on the frame but I didn't want to go that far. My son's truck had 4 wheel manual disc brakes and I drove his again and decided that's what I wanted to do. I used a Wilwood MC and I think it brakes fine. I really like the way it cleaned up the look of the firewall.
I've always wanted exhaust cut outs on a car, especially one with a lumpy V8. Pressed for time and likely not having the skills necessary to fab the exhaust I wanted on my own, I took it to a local shop that was recommended for custom work and I was very pleased with the results.
Until I had to pull the motor.
Thankfully I'd designed the exhaust system with 4 V-bands just in case, you know, I ever had to take things apart.
I pulled the exhaust off in order to remove the transmission and saw what a terrible job the exhaust shop had done. Somehow I missed the fact that the shop had welded the hangers directly to the new Flowmasters. On both sides the welds were failing. On the morning the engine failed, my wife and I both noticed what we thought was an exhaust leak. I thought one of the cut outs wasn't closing all the way and I would check it when we got home. It was the weld on the muffler beginning to fail.
There were a half-dozen leaks in other areas. The Sniper, and I assume all FI systems use an air fuel ratio sensor in the exhaust. The Sniper instruction manual highlights the importance of not having exhaust leaks since that can negatively impact the AFR readings. The Sniper is self-tuning, so this is a big deal.
Very disappointing and I would have never noticed until the welds in the hangers completely failed or I had to remove the exhaust for another reason. If you are in Mint Hill, NC, think twice before taking anything to a shop that has the same name as a popular hot morning beverage.
Making progress on the 4-link
Great build!
curious.... sounds like the motor let go because of the distributor. Was that a distributor that you installed or did it come with it from blueprint?
if you installed it, how was the process to have blueprint rebuild/replace it since it wasn't their fault?
looking forward to the next installment
Shadeux
SuperDork
11/9/24 9:14 a.m.
I'm still processing the welding on a muffler thing. Wow.
In reply to jfryjfry :
I did not buy the distributor from Blueprint, it was a Holley Hyperspark I purchased and installed on my own and per Holley it had a melonized steel distributor gear. I submitted the warranty claim, sent them pics of the damaged gears, and they covered it under warranty. Obviously I am very pleased with their response.
In reply to Shadeux :
I'm embarrassed that I didn't notice it earlier, like before I paid them for the work. Shame on me.
