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I started pulling the engine and I am going to finish the firewall while it is out. It needs some small pieces made and a little more welding. I have a 3600 TCI Nitrous converter on the way and figured it would be the best way to change it and get some more done on the firewall.
I have a Original Torker single plane plumbed for the dual stage Nitrous and a MSD distributor,6AL that was repaired and countless other parts I have been picking up over the last couple of month's to get installed before we go to the strip. Also while I have the engine out I will take some more pictures of the tubbed rear and the Mustang frt.end and send them in.
I am checking on having the headers and intake coated before I put it back together.
After around 1200 miles I didn't have any problems that needed to be addressed other than I needed more converter and it loves gas so with gas is as high as it is I think I will work on it for a while.
The dash will get attention after the strip and then it will be time to start on cosmetics.

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stripped and just a memory!

Thanx for the update. Pics, pics, pics......

sweet
I need to get up there and check it out.
im about ready to order those bearings.....whoohoo!

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03Cobra

Hey Rat I have a question for you real quick ! I was going through a search engine and saw your truck. I was wondering did you have a cowled hood? I was just wondering cause I liked the look of the hood that was on the truck and was wondering what height the cowl was I guess I am gonna go with the hood from Unlimited but the only have a pic of their 6" hood. Well just figured I'd ask real quick. Thanks

You are correct I had a outlaw steel that is in the back of the hot rod books they are about 150.00 now and they were about 75.00 when I bought mine.I made it go all the way to the windshield but when I was trying to sell the truck last year a guy made me a offer on the scoop so I sold it. I might consider another Unlimited hood because all of the ones I have are really not worth the effort needed to fix them. I would like another 4" or so but think it looks better if it goes all the way to the windshield and with the way they open you can use the hinges! However I can't remember any pictures of it with the hood. Can you post a link to the picture?
I emailed Unlimited but haven't heard from them. I had bought a
L-88 hood in the mid 90's and quality was terrible but they say they are better now. I did look at Travis's hood and it looked better than the one I had. If they are adding a scoop to a plain hood I might have them build what I want.
As for now it is priceless to see people's faces when they see a Big Block under a stock hood.
I got the parts today and hope to get it going again soon

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stripped and just a memory!

I have an unlimited L88 hood, and your right, the quality sucks. the finish on the exterior is pitty, the underside is totally rough, and its anything but square.

Firewall is finally all welded. I am going to get some seam sealer today and thinking of using bed liner spray for the firewall. I am going to take pictures before putting engine back in this weekend.

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stripped and just a memory!

As you can guess everything went wrong and I ended up working on everybody elses stuff over the weekend! Engine is still out!
I have also decided to give a serious look at full length headers and I think I can make them fit so down time may be a little longer but the Luv is inching back together and will make it to the strip shortly.
Engine # 2 ( .030 over 427 )is in the works and the block is at the machine shop. It will be bigger and better,but still a distant project.I bought new TRW pistons and a used set of 7/16 dimple rods on E Bay and I have a steel crank and going to have the rods checked and new ARP wave loc bolts done soon. I am still gathering parts for the rotating mass so I can get it balanced but someday it will be going. For now it has a fresh .030 over 396 and should be back together and at the strip soon.

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stripped and just a memory!

I got the headers on today Full length Nova 1 7/8 " primary 3 1/2" collectors. Driver side cleared with no problems at all. Passenger side is another story but hey are on it and I will get the frame welded up and be going again shortly.
Slowly I am changing the things that I didn't like and the shorty headers was the biggest obstacle I had compromised on that I just wasn't happy with the result. With all that has been cut,moved,removed and changed I decided that another 18" of frame should not stand in my way. So now I am happy with it and I have real headers.

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stripped and just a memory!

cool man, i'm happy for ya. hell i wish i had a good header.

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1980 luv sport 4x4 Just a memory now
Frame rusted from the inside. Truck stripped and now looking for a new donor in southern ohio

I wish I had another luv to play with. I made a promise not to modify mine, but I wanted to see if one of those keith black godzilla blocks would fit. BTW good job on the luv there RAT

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Hammer to fit, paint to match.
If it aint broke, don't fix it.
There's always room for duct tape and bailing wire.

WATCH YOUR PIEHOLE!!!!!!

I took the headers back today and now that I have made them fit I ordered the coated ones. Can't stand the paint always being burnt off. I am in the middle of 2 weeks before a day off so pictures will be coming shortly. I will take some with the engine out and 4 link.

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stripped and just a memory!

Factory Back order on the coated headers so I am getting the others back and checking on getting them coated.

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stripped and just a memory!

you might try powderworks in Charleston Tennessee
423-336-1981

the guys name is Jay I think.

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03Cobra

Cab is off and plates are tacked in on the section that had to be modified for the headers. Also installed the transmission crossmember that I bought when I did the 4-link. I don't think I am going to make it by the middle of April but I will make it. Don't give up,as soon as it gets back together we are going to get some times from the strip.

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stripped and just a memory!

whoohoo!!!
and I will be there with the videocamera.....

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03Cobra

I sent new pics so keep a eye out for them more to follow as next week I have 3 days off and hope to get a lot of work done! also next Luv project is in the planning stages and it will only have a cab but it will still be a Luv.

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stripped and just a memory!

The new pics are in the gallery.(Thanks Ben) I hope to get some more done today. I want to get the frame welded up and start putting it back together this week.

You can see the mustang ll front end better in the new pictures and I will get some pics with the engine out and the fuel cell off so the frame mods can be seen better. Planning on taking pictures as it goes back together and will send them in latter.

This is off the Luv subject but I ran into a guy who has a big block Chevy in a Ford Ranger. I have seen the truck before but haven't looked at it real close. Might find a few good ideas so I will check it out shortly.
I also know where a big block S-10 blazer is and hope to check it out too.
Sometimes you can get some good ideas from looking at other swaps.

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stripped and just a memory!

Frame is welded up and I checked again on the headers and the coated ones are in stock so I should have them tomorrow. I also bought energy suspension mounts for the engine and transmision.

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stripped and just a memory!

Looking good Rat! Your firewall work leaves me very impressed. Must have been a long slow process. Keep up the pace, can't wait to see some video.