SM105K's SHO BIBLE/BUILDS/LIFE

[SM105K]

I pushed a dent out of Helens door with a basketball

But on a serious note, When you do the carpet if you are not pulling it out of the truck I highly recommend the sander trick while you vacuum. If you're unfamiliar with it, take a mouse or detail sander, something that will vibrate like crazy, and place it on the part of the carpet you are vacuuming. It shakes all of the sand and dirt to the surface and does an incredible job. My SHO, my truck, and my wife's Fusion all have black carpet and we live in sandy Florida, it really makes a difference. I suggest doing that before shampooing so you're not soaking the underlying dirt.

I know all about that trick, and it works amazing. However, I will probably pull the carpet, and while it is out starting adding sound deadening material to the floor and as high as I can to the firewall and back of the cab. I need to replace all of the locking actuators in the truck as well, so there in no better time than to sound deaden the doors as well since the panels will be off. I will also add it to the underhood, and on the back side of the inner fenders wells and covers as well.

I plan to keep this truck a very long time and to drive it a ton, so making it clean, updated, and comfortable for the long haul is a priority.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

learn something new...

The basketball trick or the sander trick lol

 

[SM105K]

The basketball trick or the sander trick lol

The sander trick I am putting my money on.

 

[kryptto]

The basketball trick or the sander trick lol

both

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

both

Basketball trick is a bit less than precise, Helen went from caved in to pushed out and kinda warped, i cant find the body line, but it was extensive damage and a temporary door (she was a parts truck, i got the left overs) I urge caution when doing it or maybe a football depending on the dent lol.

 

[SM105K]

I kinda like the dent.

 

[SM105K]

Ford F450 Update: So just got Betty back from AZ Diff. Needless to say I was not charged, and the gears are now correct. She runs 70 mph at 2000 rpm right where I want her to be. **** she runs 80 at 2300 rpm, which is pretty cool as well.

So this weekend, I will start on my list.

Install the Banks Cold Air Intake. <----still waiting for that.
Remove the front grill, and perform the Zoodad mod. <----Will perform this when I install the Cold Air Intake.


Install the fuel pressure sensor, and connect it to the CTS 3.
Install the stiffer fuel pressure regulator spring.
Install the new fuel filter.
Change the oil and oil filter.

Little by little keep she is coming together.

 

[SM105K]

Ford F450 Update: Here are a couple of pictures.

The 3.73's really transformed the truck on the freeway. I am really pleased. Hopefully we see a good jump in fuel mileage too.


Also Betty's new plate came in. The truck was purchased at Jim Burke Ford in Bakersfield 25 years ago, so I think it is fitting that it stays on the truck.

I also listed my old OEM E63s Wheels and Tires for sale. When they sell, I will use those proceeds to purchase new up-pipes. Mine are leaking and it annoys me. However, I have to remove the turbo to replace them. So since the turbo will have to come off, I might as well upgrade that as well with a KC Gen 3 Stage 1. Probably should replace the turbo pedestal as well. So down the rabbit hole we go....

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

You look like you need someone to help integrate that Hydra box. maybe some kind of custom 3D print....? lol I absolutely love the tag, and the nostalgia of the tag frame

 

[SM105K]

You look like you need someone to help integrate that Hydra box. maybe some kind of custom 3D print....? lol I absolutely love the tag, and the nostalgia of the tag frame

I actually have a In-Dash Billet Flush Mount sitting in the glove box. I have just been waiting to start working on the interior to install it.

PHP Hydra In-Dash Billet Flush Mount - 7.3 Powerstroke (1994-2003)

Billet Aluminum Flush Mount will allow you to cleanly mount your switch in your dash. 100% Made in the USA. PHP Hydra switcher plastic varies between their production runs, so slight trimming is occasionally required on the switch body seam to fit in the hydra billet mount.

kcturbos.com

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I actually have a In-Dash Billet Flush Mount sitting in the glove box. I have just been waiting to start working on the interior to install it.

PHP Hydra In-Dash Billet Flush Mount - 7.3 Powerstroke (1994-2003)

Billet Aluminum Flush Mount will allow you to cleanly mount your switch in your dash. 100% Made in the USA. PHP Hydra switcher plastic varies between their production runs, so slight trimming is occasionally required on the switch body seam to fit in the hydra billet mount.

kcturbos.com

Fine. I didn't want to make one that says "Betty" anyway lol

Seriously great progress on the rig, im enjoying watching this process. I was hunting a 99-07 body to make my own when I had a change of heart and my 77 fell in my lap the first day I threw the line out. Eventually want to superduty frame swap with a 7.3 6 speed 4wd. That's my retirement plan anyway lol

 

[SM105K]

Fine. I didn't want to make one that says "Betty" anyway lol

Seriously great progress on the rig, im enjoying watching this process. I was hunting a 99-07 body to make my own when I had a change of heart and my 77 fell in my lap the first day I threw the line out. Eventually want to superduty frame swap with a 7.3 6 speed 4wd. That's my retirement plan anyway lol

Haha that would be sweet. I didnt realize all the cool stuff you are 3D printing. I bought that billet mount before I bought the truck...lol. I am sure we can figure out something in the future.

I am having a lot of fun with the F450. I actually drove it more than any other car lol.
When I got home today, I pulled off the seat covers and found that the leather on the middle front and passenger seat is in fantastic condition. The driver seat isnt bad, but it needs help. The rear seat looks good too.

I plan on cleaning them and reconditioning them, and then I will see if I want to put the covers on. I will take some pictures in the morning.

Also I need to remove the DTE/Thermometer/Direction Computer in the upper console and diagnose why it doesn't work. I have done some research, and it looks like on the circuit board soldered joints fail. So I will be working on that soon.

Also I am banishing the Lexus to the backyard for the foreseeable future. Yes I already have tire covers, and a body cover. I want the extra garage space to move some stuff around and get some stuff away from the Mercedes. It is like sardines in there right now.

Also with the Lexus in the back yard, it will give me more room to work on it when it cools down. I can't do any type of meaningful work on it while it is in the garage. Much less get under the dash for some re-wiring.

 

[SM105K]

Ford F450 Update: Pulled the seat covers and this what the driver side seat presented.




Yes they are dirty, but they can be cleaned and re-conditioned which I will do. The rest of the seats are in great condition. No tears, no cracks ect. Still undecided what I want to do with the driver's seat.

 

[Texas Marauder]

A good upholstery shop can replace the bad panels.

 

[SM105K]

E63S Update: So the model years of 2018 and 2019 of the E63s and AMG GT's had Oil Vapor Separator (OVS) issues. The OVS are basically like a mechanical catch can that then reintroduces the oil vapor back into the intake track. Well these get clogged and when they do, crack case pressure builds and it pushes the rear main seal out. This is was big reason why I wanted to buy a 2020 E63s because they had revised the OVS. However my 2019 was a deal and when I had the upper oil pan gasket fixed, they saw that my RMS was seeping, and they replaced it. They tested the OVS and they passed, but after 36k miles it clearly wasn't doing its job correctly. With the tune that I am running the stock turbos are running a sustained 26 psi, so crank case pressure has been on my mind.

So finally someone brought a catch can to market for the E63 and after a year of testing ect....this is what they produced.

M177 RMS Fix; M177 Catch Can — 63 Motorsports Inc.

To fix M177 E63S AMG RMS AOS Failures; M177 RMS Failure Catch Can; No CEL fix for M177.LS2 Air Oil Separator Failure

www.63motorsports.com

They look amazing and people say they work amazing, but that price tag really hurt today. I have some plans for the E63 once it cools off, and I know these will be needed, so I might as well bite the bullet now.

 

[SM105K]

Ford F450 Update: So like an idiot, I removed the DTE calculator and had to resolder some joints...and I didn't take any pictures. FFS.

However, I did fix it. So it works now. I dont know when the display went out but I am pretty it went out years ago. So that being said when I plugged it in it said it was averaging 11.4 mpg. That makes sense with the old gears ect.

I reset it and this is what it averged down a a 30 mile clip down the freeway at 70 mph.


This was after 100 miles of mixed driving. 75 miles on the freeway traveling at 65 to 70 mph, and then 25 miles in the city.


I am not going to reset it until I fill up again, but that should be give me a pretty good idea of a normal tank of driving. Of course I will to the real math as well and see how off the DTE Calculator is off.

 

[SM105K]

E63s Update: This is what $1632.23 buys you in the dual billet catch can world of the 63 series of AMG.


The E63 has a appointment at Mercedes on Monday. It needs an oil change, spark plugs, and an OVS test.

Anyone care to take a gander of what that will cost?

 

[SHOCALL]

More than the catch can?

 

[SM105K]

More than the catch can?

Probably correct.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

E63s Update: This is what $1632.23 buys you in the dual billet catch can world of the 63 series of AMG.
View attachment 95178

The E63 has a appointment at Mercedes on Monday. It needs an oil change, spark plugs, and an OVS test.

Anyone care to take a gander of what that will cost?

At least you got stickers, very important, no kit is complete without them