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The engine bay is always the hideous jungle. People see you cruising around in that sweet exterior, see the wheels and gander at the interior. Few will ask you to open the secret vault that makes the car go. This is one of the area hardest to keep clean.
It's an area where one mistake and the damn thing might not work right without some professional help and that costs money. That's how it was for me. I wanted to clean it up but wasn't sure how, where to start or what to do. After my AC compressor died I tripped over the junkyard for a used AC compressor and with the help of a buddy sort of rebuilt my AC. A week later an AC hose started leaking and the clutch bearing on the junkyard compressor was sticking. Not sure if it was related but then one year old stock alternator took a dump at the same time. At 108 degrees or higher for 54 straight days that AC has gotta work... right? The car sat for a while during the hot months.
With limited cash on hand paying someone was out of the question. I had to do the work. For cranking power I decided on a better alternator and bought it powercoated to boot from PA Performance. The AC stuff I got at a reduced price at Napa. Those guys came through for me. That single plan to do the install myself would lead to more striking work like cleaning up the entire bay, laying down some fresh paint and so on.
With alternator and AC stuff pulled I yanked the battery. Wow, the bay was really scratched up. I cleaned the bay with degreaser and some rags. The white paint came back, but it was scratched horribly - twenty years worth of dirt was being cleaned up and exposing some rough patches. I was going to have to paint it. So, I masked everything off and went to town after a trip to Pep Boys for some paints. Thanks to a chat with Boss91GT I was able to get the correct type of paint and clearcoat. Once dry I stuffed all the goodies back into the engine bay. Oh, I also masked off and painted a few other areas as well.
The painting and new parts resulted in what you see in the immediate photos below. An amazing transformation for what is a daily driver with over 180,000 miles on the stock 302.
With all the new parts installed I was facinated by the quiet hum of the 302 powerplant. All I could here was the rumble from down under through the Flowmaster exhaust system. The engine idol was smooth and steady. Something the car had not seen in at least a year. Now I only hear the hum of the power steering pump when I turn the wheel. I am on myi third PS pump and the bastard leaks too.
Enjoy the pictures below. Make sure to click on the original picture below to see the complete transformation. It's definitely a good change. The only thing left is the Mr. Gasket chrome radiator hose. WooHoo! If you have questions please let me know. I will try to help best I can.
Thank you for checking out my car. All comments good, bad or constructive are appreciated.
Still looking to add a few chrome pieces here and there from late Model Restoration.
Tim
ENGINE MODS / RESTORATION
* Powder Coated Stock Manifold
* Throttlebody and spacer painted black
* Mr. Gasket - chrome radiator hose
* PA Alternator - 95amp - powdercoasted white
* Ford Racing Black Crinkle Valve Covers
* Ford Racing Plug Wires - Blue
* Chrome Oil Cap
* Speed Density Cold Air Kit into the fende well
* Ford Racing 3 Row Aluminum Radiator
* Temp Adjustable Electric Radiator Fan
* Chrome Radiator Cap
* Polished big 3 row radiator cover
* Distributor Cover Rubber Boot - Normally a Stock Item
* Coil Cover Plastic Cover - Normally a Stock Item
* Custom Painted Manifold Plate to Match the Car - From Early 5.0
* Polished Large Radiator Cover
* Engine harnesses rerouted to the lower portion of the engine bay walls.
* Engine Bay Repainted
* Belt tensioner painted black
* Brakets cleaned and painted.
* AC Compressor Replaced
* AC Accumulator w/hose replaced
* AC Return Hose replaced.
* Battery cables rerouted under the battery area
* Battery calbels re-terminated with red/black covers
* Strut Plates repainted
* Mr. Gasket Chrome Radiator Hose - upper (new rubber lower)
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Engine Bay
