There I was minding my own business, when...

[Magicman]

From the outside looking in, it seems to me like you made an excellent choice.

[TreeBones]

All's well that end's well.

[traditionaltoolworks]

From the outside looking in, it seems to me like you made an excellent choice.

I think this F-450 will work out better than the F-250, although I will not use it nearly as much, but when I use it this truck will be able to handle the workload.

All's well that end's well.

I 'spose so, but it sure taught me to mind my own business and not be distracted by what appears to be a diamond in the rough...I'm glad to get closure on that finally.

[traditionaltoolworks]

Getting closer to closure finally...whew...

Last week I paid the back registration and only have one more hurdle to jump over, to wrap it all up, which is to get it smogged so I can get the tag.

I do in fact have a temporary operators permit which is good until the end of the month, and just taped it to the rear window, so can drive it.

Previously I mentioned it didn't run smooth, I thought it needed a tune-up. In reality I think it's running ok, but it DOES have an exhaust leak. I'm going down today to have a look at it with a friend. This vintage doesn't use a doughnut between the manifold and muffler tube, but just has a flange that mates together with the muffler tube. I'm not sure if it is coming from there or not.

I have been told that the 460 has one problem in that it has a tendency to shear off the exhaust manifold bolts, and if so I might have to have someone fix it. I'm not sure that is the case here, it seemed to me like the leak was at the manifold and muffler tube.

I bought a window for the driver's door yesterday at a salvage yard in San Jose and will attempt to put that in today. It requires removing the wing vent window from the frame to slide the window over and get it on the roller.

If I can't figure out how to do that, I have a windshield being put in next Sat. and will have them put the driver's window in also.

I have been told by more than one person (Magic included) that this is one of the best engines that Ford built. The guy I bought the window from said these 460s are much more bullet proof than the 7.3L Diesel and the maintenance cost is much less. As an example the diesel has 12 quarts of oil and the oil filter is twice as much, so I'm told. He mentioned that if you have any problems with the diesel it's always $1000 to fix anything. Sounds like for my needs the 460 is in fact a better engine for me, even though it needs to be smog'd.

This chassis has an 8000 lbs. payload, which will be able to haul a decent sized tree on it, and the rack can handle it from the looks. If I run across another 36" walnut that is 22' long, like last year, this could haul that on the rear in two sections.

The bed is 12' on the truck.

[Magicman]

After all of the it sounds like you are moving right along.....finally.

[traditionaltoolworks]

After all of the it sounds like you are moving right along.....finally.

There was not shortage of head banging, and even some knuckle riding on this transaction.

I got some good news and some bad news...first, the bad news...I think I might be able to get it fixed.

Here's the bad news, I found out why there's an exhaust leak. It was mentioned to me when I bought the door glass that it was common for the 460 to sheer manifold bolts/studs as they are very small. It's one of the largest engines Ford produced but they used very small manifold studs/nuts. The way it works is that the center stud gets snugged up but the outer ends have roof to float as the manifold expands and contracts with the temp of the engine.

I'm thinking I might be able to epoxy on a hex rod, possibly a cut-off allen wrench and use a socket to get it out. What do you guys think, it just might have enough room to do that.

sheered-manifold-stud.jpg

Now for the good news. I took the truck down to get smog'd and kept my mouth shut and went in the lobby while they tested it. They didn't say anything about the manifold leak, it passed! although it runs a bit rough with the leak, it doesn't appear to be a real problem other than passing smog, I've heard they will fail them if they can pinpoint an exhaust leak.

Then I took it back to the yard and replaced the window with the one I bought for $60 at the salvage yard.

replaced-drivers-window.jpg

I have an appointment for next Sat. to get a new windshield which has several cracks in it. $170 installed at my yard for OEM glass.

All in all, I'm happy, I have about $3400 total into the truck but arguably the manifold stud is an issue if it can't be replaced as the engine would need to pretty much be taken out to replace it.

[redbeard]

The sheared bolt looks like you would have plenty to grab on to, definetily pull exhaust manifold off, extract stud and replace give it lots of penetrating oils. You will want to replace gasket I'am sure old one wouldn't have sealed up with leak going on.

[traditionaltoolworks]

The sheared bolt looks like you would have plenty to grab on to, definetily pull exhaust manifold off, extract stud and replace give it lots of penetrating oils. You will want to replace gasket I'am sure old one wouldn't have sealed up with leak going on.

Red,

The thing is that to remove the manifold would most likely require removing the engine out of the truck to get the needed clearance.

I was thinking to try and get it out by trying to epoxy a hex rod on it and try to get it out with a socket, but a friend told me he thought the studs are too heated to remove like that and would require heating up with a torch at minimum.

For the time being it's ok, no rush to fix it as I have it smog'd and aside from the sound of the exhaust the engine runs pretty good.

[traditionaltoolworks]

Aside from the exhaust leak (sheered off manifold stud), it runs well, and I now have my registration completed and the sticker in hand. Everything is paid for, all the paper work is completed, just need to attach the stick to the license plate.

This has to of been the longest transaction on a truck I have ever been through...glad to have it cleared up, and this will be a great truck for my needs, I believe.

[sgschwend]

You won't need to pull the engine.

You can removed the tire and skirt and other parts that are around it. Once those are gone there will be plenty of room to pull the manifold.

Air hammer on the stud with penetrating oil should get it to loosen up.