If your Samsung is updating Smart Hub... that is USUALLY a good thing. Usually means you'll get more features and options. Also, your TV now needs security updates. Don't fret about most of these updates. The latest Windows 10 update (1909) does jack up the cortana/system search function in the taskbar (see below). I found a work around in the registry to get it to work again if you guys come across that.

 

Cooled down again last night, so with nothing on TV, I took my 02 style bumper apart to get the top section painted. That was so much easier than I thought it would be. There are 15 push pins that hold the cover onto the bumper. It takes a little effort to get them to separate, but once you figure out the correct procedure, they come right out. I found that a wire stripper will grab them better than pliers and they pop right out, reuseable. I like that part.

The fog lights are Depos. I found the tags under the mount holders for the fogs. That saved me ordering new fog housings. The valance is for non-tow hooked rigs, but my Dremel made short work of that problem The lower secondary deflector was broken, so I making a splitter made from aluminum and using it to reinforce the bottom. I'm fairly sure that will be a stronger bottom plate, and easily painted black to match the valance, And Stronger.

Everything is apart, sanded and ready to paint. All I need now is the weather to improve and get warm so I can paint it. Now that I know how these things come apart, I think I will take the perfect front bumper off Red and put it on Blue. I can swap the top panel easily now, so I can replace the bar that has 4 bolt holes with this perfect one. Actually, I forgot, I have the one with the perfect bar but with a bad top (drilled for fog lights) on it. I think I will keep Red's take off's handy. One never knows.

 

AK, how good is your core support? Mine is getting to be ugly. I really need to start getting serious about replacing that, and then doing the 98 header panel in while I am in there.

Sound like a good excuse to buy a better welder?

 

OK guys... idiot moment here.... I read some contradicting info on what cam gear to use on my 351 distributor. So, I contacted Comp Cams and they said with my 35-518-8 cam, I need to use a "melonized or melonite coated gear".

What the hell is that? And how do I know if my gear is already "coated"?

 

White, never heard of it so I'm just guessing but it sounds like one of the surfacing or case hardening techniques. Nitriding is the current surfacing hardening sensation though.

 

Answering first question. Red's core has 2 small spots that are questionable,but solid. This year they get treated when the new front goes on. Blue's is like it just rolled off the show room floor. That truck is spotless underneath.

Question 2. These 5.8's definitely need the correct gear on the distributor. They will eat the wrong one in less than 10 minutes of idling. Been there. Use the correct one. You will be happier in the end. Same when swapping a SBF from a regular to roller cam. Alsol in this application, the firing order went from 154 to the 137 order. Actually sounds better with the 137 firing order in my opinion. More throaty.

 

That's what I think is true also... but can't find any info on being able to tell if it already is. I think it's a cute name so Comp Cams can try and get me to buy one of theirs.

EDIT: Look at these prices...

https://www.compcams.com/catalogsear...utor+gear+ford

 

Replacing the core support in my truck is one of the first jobs waiting for the weather to break in the spring. I plan on bolting or maybe sheet metal screwing the new core in because the removal is a pretty destructive process and because the inner fender flange at the front body mount is almost always rusted away. With a removable core that becomes much easier to fix. Asked about this at the fabrication sub-forum here also and was told the cores use to all be bolted in. Just something to consider.

 

My gears on both dizzy's both look like the "melonized" steel gears that Comp sells. I bought them both with steel gears, just like the HO cams were. Do you have any idea if the 85-95 gears were melonized from the factory?

Mine both have this black finish, and are both steel.

 

Hmmm... maybe it is a bit different.