Now that I have replaced my wrecked 06 Navigator I have almost returned to the previous projects. I am waiting for timing chain parts and gaskets to finish repairs to an 06 Expedition I purchased a possible parts donor. I repaired the transmission leak by replacing the front pump and torque converter. Now to replace the timing chains and associated parts to silence startup rattle. The timing chains are a common failure point on the OHC Ford V8 engines. Just like the Ecotec 4 bangers, it is oil change related. My old Navigator was still perfect at 240k and my Ecotec is still perfect at almost 300k. Change your oil folks!

All that to say that my grandson and I pulled the 350 put of our 68 K20 Chevy that has been in the family since new. I saved a 300 hour 1985 350 when I gave our speed boat away a few years ago. The plywood floor had rotted away and the grandkids no longed wanted to spend every weekend on the lake. We tore the engine apart and I am about to order gaskets and an oil pump + parts to make it an automotive engine again. My grandson will end up with this truck when it is back on the road. We rebuilt the bed a couple years ago and now we will see if we can get it closer to being back on the road. This truck has been sitting for 20 years waiting for this boy to become a man, he turns 22 this month and is very interested in learning and helping. We are going clear through this engine so he knows how it works. This will be a very enjoyable time!

 

That's awesome, Andy. I'm glad to hear that you have a young man that's actually interested in mechanic work and not afraid to get his hands dirty. You should be very proud of your grandson.

 

We moved a bunch of Navigator stuff around in the shop, loaded a top shelf with 03 stuff. Moved the 06 engine and installed a nice used wood stove, now there is heat in the shop. It has been in the low 30s for the last week overnights. Built our first fire and the shop heated up nicely. We even had snow this week on Wednesday, it is gone now. Back to the Chevy engine tomorrow. 😀

 

Installed and working, might extend the pipe above the eave. Snow will destroy it above or below. We don’t get snow every year.

 

I think I'd extend that stand pipe above the eave, Andy. Better safe than sorry.

 

We are extending the pipe above the roof several feet. 😀

 

This is the Expedition I purchased as a possible frame donor for my Navigator “project”. It was the same year as the one we wrecked in July. It was running but leaking transmission fluid in a steady stream when running out of the bell housing. I got my replacement 03 Navigator together and culled the wreck and the 03 parts donor. I had time to think about this gem and decided to repair the transmission. I pulled it out and tore it completely apart to inspect the cause for the leak. I also wanted to see what the condition was since it has 220k miles on it. The transmission had just been overhauled but the car has changed hands twice since the overhaul. The transmission case had three stripped front pump holes, the bolts had just been siliconed to hold them in their holes. I helicoiled the case and replaced the pump and converter. All is well with the transmission, now to fix the timing chain rattle on startup. I replaced the chains, guides, crank sprocket and both tensioners. The long fixed guide on the driver’s side was broken in half and the tensioners were extended almost all the way due to chain stretch. Going back together now and I will sell this one now that I can say it will run for a while.

 

Did that engine actually still run when you got it, Andy? If so, I'm impressed.

 

It actually ran well after the initial start chain rattle. I could not sell it as a good car since it was on its last leg, needing chains etc.

 

Is that actually a Ford engine or a Mazda engine like they used to put in the Explorers? I think they were 4.0?