Agreed hilarious random talk-show moment. But what i resonate most with is your earlier point about parts compatibility by sticking to car models that share a lot of parts. To others like myself, without much space to work on cars and keep parts, this is great advice. I've had a Fiat, Seat, Suzuki, and now a Volvo. But i'm definitely sticking with Volvo and will most likely be driving the (2000-2010) V70's and S60's for the rest of my life.
Why has no one ever explained timing and carb adjustment this way, in my many years of 'moderate' wrenching? Mind is blown at what I just learned that I didn't know. You have a skill for explaining things. Great vid!!
Luke, you do such a good job of instruction and advising when you work on these old cars! When I was a teenager, I asked for a timing light for Christmas (around 1975-- I got a Sears Penske timing light and dwell meter. I still have them!). Back then, most of the vehicles on the road still had points type distributors, and I worked at an auto parts store where I sold lots of points/condensers (I still remember parts numbers from back then!). I learned how to do tune-ups, and most of my friends and family used to bring their cars to me-- mostly GM with a Ford here and there. As long as they paid for the parts, I didn't charge any labor-- what a deal! I remember that my grandfather's Chevrolet truck was running rough and to my surprise, he asked me to look at it for him (he almost never asked for help with anything). I put a new set of plugs in it and tuned it up for him (and found a broken vacuum hose which I replaced), and he was a happy camper! Thanks for bringing back good memories!
@@ThunderHead289 I had a 1970 LTD (bought it for $225 in 1978) that had the 390 in it. It ran good, but was a bit tired. I replaced the leaking valve cover gaskets on it, and when I took the valve covers off, it was like lifting off a gelatin mold with the oil sludge. It took me a couple of hours to clean it all out! The driver's door jamb had numerous Quaker State stickers on it from previous oil changes. I sold the car to a friend of mine for $250. Oh, and if you want to see a fast tractor, check out a video called "Tractor Racing Volvo Terror". You won't be disappointed!
Hey brother, I watch you because you do Fords. UA-cam is chalk full of "let's go LS it" lemmings. You and Digs doing Fords does us Ford guys good. A good balance is ok too. Great work Luke...
There's nothing wrong with LSs, Windsors, Godzilla 6.8/7.3s, 429/460, 240/300 or even FEs everything has it's place. People use LS engines because they came from the factory with cylinder heads that are capable of over 1,000hp with boost, the easiest Ford to do that with is a 9.5" Windsor with a set of heads that cost over $1500-2000. Then you need tuning solutions. If a slow old FE is good enough to meet your goals, that's cool, just don't bad mouth other guys, we're all under attack from people who want to take away our rights to do what we do.
Not to be rude, but I really did not ask you or direct my comment to you. I do have a 1A right to voice my option, so let's not attack that. I fully understand why the LS platform is, in my opinion, way over done and full of copycat builders. Can you say twin turbo LS in Foxbody! It's great seeing these old Ford motors getting love. I especially love the Coyote emergence in these builds. Just my opinion and I appreciate your opinion. Have a good day.
I have to say... I don't know of anyone else that goes into such extensive engine tuning... there may be others that do.. but I trust the steps you show....are the best.
For better or for worse, my main goal is just to put out the info I wish I had. A lot of misinformation out there now too that can easily mislead people as some of it being complete fiction is often hailed as fact
@ThunderHead289 You would've been the best certified Ford Tech at a Ford dealership back in the late 60s, 70s and, the 80s even post 1973 with the crappy emissions systems. Your knowledge is golden and if you were to get laid off back in the day, mechanical initial timing and vacuum advance timing applies universally to all these classic cars pre fuel injection and you would have a really good resume to move to another dealership if that scenario played out during that time period. I'm more of a GM guy, but when it comes down to it all diffent makes of classic cars need to be saved as it's part of American history and you are right about sticking to one brand for parts interchangeability and that's why it's important to spread the knowledge on the internet because everyone has their preferred brands.
I expected a simple entertaining revival video... But i got surprised with an in depth educational about the 'magic' of engine timing. I always wondered about it, but was never compelled to dig into it in fear of it taking a long time to figure out. But you made it easy to digest in only a single hour. Very much appreciated!
@@ThunderHead289 But my high vacuum advance at idle gives me an efficient idle, which saves me gas in traffic jams, red lights, during jump starts etc. and if I set my base timing that advanced, it would try to start backwards and mess with my starter motor, and I don't hear any spark knock at idle, and vacuum advance at idle keeps the plugs from fouling at idle, so I really prefer manifold vacuum advance.
@@ThunderHead289 I'm not talking about a specific vehicle. I'm saying idle is inherently far more efficient with vacuum advance, just like it is just off idle with ported advance. I want more advance during idle than while cranking and the best way to get it is with manifold vacuum.
I dont remember where I picked that up - I think it was from watching exotic v12 cars do it in ads as a claim of quality and I thought .... "yeah I think my ancient 200,000 mile 50 year old car can do that too" 🙂
This really brings back memories. My dad had a green 1967 Mercury 4dr when I was little, one of his favorite cars. They weren't very common then or now!
Luke you realize you’d have over a million subs if you stuck with you channel from the start . You are one of the smartest guys I’ve watched wrenching . I hope you continue to put out content to build your channel so you get the golden parachute I believe you deserve.
Back in the day (I'm 75) I was a tow truck driver. Back then, more was possible than just dragging cars onto the ramp truck and hauling them off. Can't tell you how many times I would go out and find a no start in a shopping center. Often it was a Ford and it cranked fine, but no start. I learned pretty quick that you jut pull off the air filter and shove a screwdriver down the carb which would open the choke a it and cranking while flooring the gas would light it right up. Because of course, the lady that was driving it would have pumped the gas like a pump organ until it was totally flooded.
The wildly pumping the gas thing is a weird thought process. Very strange how in the last ten years that's become the "expected thing to do". I watch people flood carbed cars out all the time in recent years - very curious phenomenon
I have watched JD do this pumping thing a dozen times and he just floods the crap out of 1 and throws another carb on cause it must be bad ..lol great video
I'm glad Luke mentioned what has been a mainstay for me for years. I've picked the vehicles I want to deal with and and I keep spare parts for them on my shelves. Interchangeability is a plus. When you do your own work, keep an inventory of parts and being your own parts guy goes with it. Sticking with your brand keeps inventory down.
You may get labeled a "fan boy", but your the one laughing when you have everything on hand and know every little nuance - less surprises that way often and more fun 🙂
Thanks for the reminder Luke on adding that 1/8 turn to the Idle mixture screws to fatten it up a bit. Yep, guilty as charged sir! Will be putting the gauge back on in a bit to take care of that 460 lean issue! Thanks for sharing. Good stuff as always. Cheers from Motown/Dearborn!
Great video 289. I'm older than dirt and back in my day every 16 year old that claimed to be a wrench learned all this first doing a basic tune up, times have changed. Now I work on other peoples rides when they get stuck doing such things, drum brakes, carb work and even simple stuff like front end work, idler arms, fuel pumps and such. Glad to see you're carrying the torch and helping others with the information. I build and swap LS's (both injected and carb conversions) and 4L60's now for my friends but I still like to get my hands on older iron from time to time.
Yes, I 100% agree with the people in your comments. I really like watching your video's. Please I know it's a pain the the butt, but you have a lot of knowledge that people would like to know.
Luke is easily the best educational mechanic on youtube. Granted it's not repair specific based, I've learned so much from him and I only have a 08 civic and 88 f250 to work on when needed.
Love watching you and Kevin rebuild and revive old cars/trucks like this one, but you both are also the reason I can't do it. Not that I'm technically incapable of following the detailed steps you laid out, but that I'll inevitably end up with a yard full of awesome cars I fall in love with and can't get rid of. 😅👍
I'm a GM guy of many many decades. Both GM and Ford have made things they got really right. If we got a vehicle that was all the combined good of each would be pretty damn cool. But that never happened and is never going to happen. Ever since about 2005 we have been in a steady free fall with cars. CAFE has fucked everything up. Needless driving aids and nanny systems. Needless electronics and comfort items. More body modules than 15 cars should have. We had it right about the turn of the new millenium. Highly reliable and fuel efficient cars that were repairable by average Joe's.
Amen to that! AMC was a half attempt at combining Ford, Chrysler and GM into one vehicle and AMC did make some stout rigs throughout their existence I ain't gonna lie and they had some flops too of course.
The best fine tuning video i have seen using what you have at hand, im not a mechanic im trying to learn as much as i can for my first classic resto, thank you Uncle Thunderhead.👍🙏
As someone who used to do this for a living and who would definitely lose my head if it wasn’t attached, the best way I found to keep from losing parts or tools during a job is to designate a specific place to put them. I had a rolling plastic cart for parts and a small tool cart for tools (both rolling because I would work in different bays in the shop). If you give yourself a specific place to put stuff and train yourself to use those spots, you’ll have fewer instances where you get distracted and set things down in random spots. It worked for me anyway.
You are very correct - I used to have a cart until I backed into it (apparently i needed a cart to put my cart in so i remembered where it was. Need to get a new one!
Thanks for all the detailed explanation, i did not expected to get a full course on ignition, it's so great to have people still sharing their knowledge !
When I was young man. Had a 72 Galaxy 500 two door HT. 400M c6. That car was the best car I’ve ever owned. But you know being young and not to wise. Sold it. With age comes wisdom. Thank you for the content.
Thunderhead 289 you could always acquire the car sans drivetrain back and marketplace another drivetrain option to put in the car and make that a continuous video series with the car there's a few things that you can fix up on it i didn't say it needs them fixed up though.. but i think alot of us would like to see it
Thank you for taking the time to post these videos.I finally got my hands on a 67 Galaxie that I have passed by for years as it sat in my neighbor’s driveway. It was going to be converted to a four barrel,but the project stalled.So…That meant the carb and distributor were thrown inside the car.This is taking me step by step through the process of getting the car going again.Thanks again!
Luke please don't let him kill this car. The body is just too nice. I'd love to buy it and put another motor and trans in it. I fell in love with it just watching the video
The 300 and e4od from my van would be beautiful in a big old big body car.... I would love it. Such a smooth engine and trans I have in an un-smooth pile of crap van. Yeesh
Luke, you have answered a question I had, way back in '73 approx. I had thought I had a vapour lock problem, which I could negate by pouring cold water over the carb. Now this was an old (then) '62 Ford !500 Cortina (English) which had a down-draft Zenith. It got so bad, that my only choice was ditch the car, or carb. Price differential between new carb and new car was in favour of car (£35 v £50) Of course I went with new car b. Can't remember what was in the kit, but it was quite substantially more than I took off. I suspect one thing was thicker spacer for single barrel. Did make difference, 'cos problem went away for rest of cars life (6 months). Now I know why!!! Thanks Luke, this is why I've missed you, you answer 50+ yr old questions. From UK.
I never miss an episode, you're my kinda guy. Being as that's a 67 I wonder if it's a 410ci? The 390 bore with a 428 crank. It's a great looking old car, I would jump all over that for $1,000 too. It looks like the paint'll buff out really nice, doesn't look rusty, interior looks savable. What a dreamship.
Nice idea about the 410, but all of them were 4 barrels. But you can see this is a 2V. I have a '66 Colony Park wagon with the 410-4V and a '67 Mercury Commuter wagon with the 390-2V.
I'm from the time that car would have been new, actually my dad had a 67 Monterrey. Rode like a dream, 390 auto. Run all day at 75 and 80. FE;s are some old great motors
It amazes me how many videos I see of guys pulling a non running FE out of a field and it’ll idle a nickel like that with a little tuning. Great job. Meanwhile I do a complete overhaul and the new motor smokes like a freight train.
I always avoided FE engines for most of my life due to some stigmas I acquired from other people - but once they landed in my possession, from my own experiences I have been absolutely nothing but impressed
Fun fact for ya. The pump shaft on an ATX front wheel drive transmission (Tempo/Topaz) will fit perfectly into the oil pump and is more than long enough to run the pump with a drill prior to running engine on new builds. Ensures oil system is fully primed before firing up, especially useful on flat tappet engines.
Love old Mercs. A blast to drive and they ride nice. 1965 2 door Monterey 390 is so cool. NO COMPUTERS. For me, I would've pulled the engine & trans out & a complete rebuild on both. Next is the differential. While that goes on, body would be completely restored at the body shop. Then complete new suspension installed before engine/trans reinstallment takes places. That car would last the rest of my lifetime unless some drunk plows into it. Lots of DWI/DUIs in this state. Fatalities because of it too.
I’m so glad you’re doing more videos again. I’m about to fire my 64 ranchero with a rebuilt 289 for the first time and I really learned a lot about timing from you. Got a carb cheater, just welded on the O2 sensor bung tonight so I ready to hook everything up and let her rip, and actually be able to see what it’s doing on my phone, so excited. I watch Sleeperdude as well and I think you guys would get along well since you both do similar stuff and you seem to be pals with a bunch of the same UA-camrs.
love the shared knowledge ,,, as an older guy pushing 60 i have forgotten and not learn alot of what your talking about ,,, i was on the end of carbs beginning of EFI
I admit I am not a Ford person. However, Ford does have its cars that I admire and respect. I am happy to see you saving this old Mercury, this is from when FoMoCo made some of their best looking vehicles, in my opinion.
Not necessarily a Mopar or a ford person myself big gm square body trucks and gm gbody fan and the hei distributor setups lol, anyway that being said i love the bumpside Ford trucks and the fe and ft motors powering them
This is the best guidance on carb and timing on these old Fords I've ever seen, and you make it fun along the way. I own 4 FE powered units love the FE stuff!
I really enjoy your videos, a lot of great information that I did not know that will help me with my vehicles. It looks like you have a great life going. Keep up the good work.
As the saying goes - you can have everything you want, just not all at once in life. Far from perfect, but one should always take time to appreciate the good aspects of each stage of life 🙂
When I was a kid, we had a Colony Park wagon ‘69, I think. Two things those cars never have are brakes or oil pressure. Ours stalled sometimes when you apply the brakes hard while making sharp turns. My mom smashed ours into my uncle George’s boat trailer for that very reason. I loved the car. Huge, comfortable, power everything which was a big deal in the early 70’s.
I only drive pre 1989 rwd Chrysler products and it helps a ton being able to use most parts I've saved on a lot of my vehicles. And after enough wrenching you learn a lot about what your working on and almost become the equivalent of a service tech of the era.
Keep that car, don't let it get junked by someone who just wants it for the drivetrain. You got it back on the road again. Great content that I appreciate, Thank you Sir.
That hot start / boiling fuel / vapor lock advice was really good. TY. I am glad you are making videos again. I always enjoy your videos. You work on what you have.
Back in the late 80's l had a 67 mercury monterey, with a 390 and a two barrel, with a mercomatic auto, and a factory panhard bar..lol..l loved that car, she was gold, 4 door hard top sedan, with black interior... Man l miss that old boat, what a great car... A great vid for me, many thanks. good job.
When it comes to engine tuning info nobody comes close to the level of detail and clarity you’re able to communicate. Thank you for filming this one for us!
I dont film everything - most things I don't honestly, but when I feel like there knowedge to pass forward, I always try 🙂 Thank you for appreciating the time taken to make things like this happen
Probably my favorite moment of the entire video was when I turned on the radio at 46:00 - 47:00.
What a surprise that was 😆
No matter where you are and if only one station will come in. It will be a self help or religious one..go figure
Agreed hilarious random talk-show moment.
But what i resonate most with is your earlier point about parts compatibility by sticking to car models that share a lot of parts.
To others like myself, without much space to work on cars and keep parts, this is great advice.
I've had a Fiat, Seat, Suzuki, and now a Volvo. But i'm definitely sticking with Volvo and will most likely be driving the (2000-2010) V70's and S60's for the rest of my life.
If you wana do some Blow all you gotta do is ask unk Luke
hahah that was hilarious
😆
Why has no one ever explained timing and carb adjustment this way, in my many years of 'moderate' wrenching? Mind is blown at what I just learned that I didn't know. You have a skill for explaining things. Great vid!!
Thank you 🙂
Luke, you do such a good job of instruction and advising when you work on these old cars! When I was a teenager, I asked for a timing light for Christmas (around 1975-- I got a Sears Penske timing light and dwell meter. I still have them!). Back then, most of the vehicles on the road still had points type distributors, and I worked at an auto parts store where I sold lots of points/condensers (I still remember parts numbers from back then!). I learned how to do tune-ups, and most of my friends and family used to bring their cars to me-- mostly GM with a Ford here and there. As long as they paid for the parts, I didn't charge any labor-- what a deal! I remember that my grandfather's Chevrolet truck was running rough and to my surprise, he asked me to look at it for him (he almost never asked for help with anything). I put a new set of plugs in it and tuned it up for him (and found a broken vacuum hose which I replaced), and he was a happy camper! Thanks for bringing back good memories!
Those are the best kind of memories 🙂
@@ThunderHead289 I had a 1970 LTD (bought it for $225 in 1978) that had the 390 in it. It ran good, but was a bit tired. I replaced the leaking valve cover gaskets on it, and when I took the valve covers off, it was like lifting off a gelatin mold with the oil sludge. It took me a couple of hours to clean it all out! The driver's door jamb had numerous Quaker State stickers on it from previous oil changes. I sold the car to a friend of mine for $250. Oh, and if you want to see a fast tractor, check out a video called "Tractor Racing Volvo Terror". You won't be disappointed!
Hey brother, I watch you because you do Fords. UA-cam is chalk full of "let's go LS it" lemmings. You and Digs doing Fords does us Ford guys good. A good balance is ok too. Great work Luke...
There's nothing wrong with LSs, Windsors, Godzilla 6.8/7.3s, 429/460, 240/300 or even FEs everything has it's place. People use LS engines because they came from the factory with cylinder heads that are capable of over 1,000hp with boost, the easiest Ford to do that with is a 9.5" Windsor with a set of heads that cost over $1500-2000. Then you need tuning solutions. If a slow old FE is good enough to meet your goals, that's cool, just don't bad mouth other guys, we're all under attack from people who want to take away our rights to do what we do.
Not to be rude, but I really did not ask you or direct my comment to you. I do have a 1A right to voice my option, so let's not attack that. I fully understand why the LS platform is, in my opinion, way over done and full of copycat builders. Can you say twin turbo LS in Foxbody! It's great seeing these old Ford motors getting love. I especially love the Coyote emergence in these builds. Just my opinion and I appreciate your opinion. Have a good day.
@@hendo337 Yah, all that's fine but this project is a streetable cruiser without all the nonsense.
Don’t forget Pole Barn!
I'm a chevy guy manly but i like everything I love bbf sbf dodges and of course sbc and bbc cause that's what I grew up around love them all 😎
Ford FE engines were the bread and butter workhorse for Ford for over 20 years. Excellent engines.
Yeah 390. We're workhorses try some oil on dizzy gear
I have to say... I don't know of anyone else that goes into such extensive engine tuning... there may be others that do.. but I trust the steps you show....are the best.
For better or for worse, my main goal is just to put out the info I wish I had.
A lot of misinformation out there now too that can easily mislead people as some of it being complete fiction is often hailed as fact
Other channels give entertainment and laughs. This channel gives entertainment and education. If you watch his revivals, you'll learn while you watch.
My main goal is just passing on the info I wish I didn't have to learn the hard way, so others don't have to 🙂
@ThunderHead289 You would've been the best certified Ford Tech at a Ford dealership back in the late 60s, 70s and, the 80s even post 1973 with the crappy emissions systems. Your knowledge is golden and if you were to get laid off back in the day, mechanical initial timing and vacuum advance timing applies universally to all these classic cars pre fuel injection and you would have a really good resume to move to another dealership if that scenario played out during that time period. I'm more of a GM guy, but when it comes down to it all diffent makes of classic cars need to be saved as it's part of American history and you are right about sticking to one brand for parts interchangeability and that's why it's important to spread the knowledge on the internet because everyone has their preferred brands.
I expected a simple entertaining revival video...
But i got surprised with an in depth educational about the 'magic' of engine timing.
I always wondered about it, but was never compelled to dig into it in fear of it taking a long time to figure out.
But you made it easy to digest in only a single hour.
Very much appreciated!
You are very welcome - my ultimate goal is to just put out the info I wish I had when I started. 🙂
@@ThunderHead289 But my high vacuum advance at idle gives me an efficient idle, which saves me gas in traffic jams, red lights, during jump starts etc. and if I set my base timing that advanced, it would try to start backwards and mess with my starter motor, and I don't hear any spark knock at idle, and vacuum advance at idle keeps the plugs from fouling at idle, so I really prefer manifold vacuum advance.
Uncle Luke does that a lot, haha.
@@alan6832 you have other issues that manifold vacuum is bandaiding is what you are experiencing
@@ThunderHead289 I'm not talking about a specific vehicle. I'm saying idle is inherently far more efficient with vacuum advance, just like it is just off idle with ported advance. I want more advance during idle than while cranking and the best way to get it is with manifold vacuum.
I’m a Ford guy and love watching u, u are a Ford genius , set a nickle on the carb is unreal
I dont remember where I picked that up - I think it was from watching exotic v12 cars do it in ads as a claim of quality and I thought .... "yeah I think my ancient 200,000 mile 50 year old car can do that too" 🙂
Who knew squirrels wore safety glasses, I learn something new everyday.
No shit! Nut shells must be like shrapnel when those furry bastards bite em.
Luke - I got heat soaked with knowledge from this video.
A+ Brother
This really brings back memories. My dad had a green 1967 Mercury 4dr when I was little, one of his favorite cars. They weren't very common then or now!
So Detailed. 👍👍
"If women don't find you Handsome, they should at least find you Handy" Red Green
Lol! Right on
"And remember to always keep your stick on the ice." I love Red Green.
Yes! Lol
Dude I've fixed a few rides with what I've learned on this channel thank you..
Luke you realize you’d have over a million subs if you stuck with you channel from the start . You are one of the smartest guys I’ve watched wrenching . I hope you continue to put out content to build your channel so you get the golden parachute I believe you deserve.
Back in the day (I'm 75) I was a tow truck driver. Back then, more was possible than just dragging cars onto the ramp truck and hauling them off. Can't tell you how many times I would go out and find a no start in a shopping center. Often it was a Ford and it cranked fine, but no start. I learned pretty quick that you jut pull off the air filter and shove a screwdriver down the carb which would open the choke a it and cranking while flooring the gas would light it right up. Because of course, the lady that was driving it would have pumped the gas like a pump organ until it was totally flooded.
The wildly pumping the gas thing is a weird thought process.
Very strange how in the last ten years that's become the "expected thing to do".
I watch people flood carbed cars out all the time in recent years - very curious phenomenon
I have watched JD do this pumping thing a dozen times and he just floods the crap out of 1 and throws another carb on cause it must be bad ..lol great video
I'm glad Luke mentioned what has been a mainstay for me for years. I've picked the vehicles I want to deal with and and I keep spare parts for them on my shelves. Interchangeability is a plus. When you do your own work, keep an inventory of parts and being your own parts guy goes with it. Sticking with your brand keeps inventory down.
You may get labeled a "fan boy", but your the one laughing when you have everything on hand and know every little nuance - less surprises that way often and more fun 🙂
I think this is actually most of what is behind all the silly Ford versus Chevy rivalry. It's just easier to stick with one brand and learn it well.
Excellent tutorial on engine tuning, but the grin on your face riding the ford flat head while mowing was priceless.
I absolutely love that hunk of junk - was one of those back from well beyond the grave units 🙂
And it's been a complete tank ever since
Really enjoyed the longer video.
It took me 3 days of starting at 9pm, and editing till 3am to get there, so I'm glad 🙂
@@ThunderHead289 3am?? I'll just bet money the wife wasn't too happy with THAT! LOL!!
Thanks for the reminder Luke on adding that 1/8 turn to the Idle mixture screws to fatten it up a bit. Yep, guilty as charged sir! Will be putting the gauge back on in a bit to take care of that 460 lean issue! Thanks for sharing. Good stuff as always. Cheers from Motown/Dearborn!
Just a master class in making a ford FE run right
Professor Luke gets an A ++ for this lecture
I love those old land yachts.
Hearing that FE run well made me happy.
Always can tell when someone really knows the subject matter when they can explain it so clean and simple. Great video Luke
Thank you 🙂
Many many miles and years of driving only carbureted cars and being slightly a perfectionist
Great video 289. I'm older than dirt and back in my day every 16 year old that claimed to be a wrench learned all this first doing a basic tune up, times have changed. Now I work on other peoples rides when they get stuck doing such things, drum brakes, carb work and even simple stuff like front end work, idler arms, fuel pumps and such. Glad to see you're carrying the torch and helping others with the information. I build and swap LS's (both injected and carb conversions) and 4L60's now for my friends but I still like to get my hands on older iron from time to time.
I bet we both have backs in similar conditions 🙂
I never get tired of your opening theme. Doing a burnout in a Maverick while blasting Alice In Chains.👍🏻
Brilliant, just brilliant! Thank you Thunderhead 289
This was indeed a fun one
You ain’t afraid of any 4 door cars . You are a very gifted guy and enjoy the efforts you make to help us in the Hobby
I had a 66 tbird when i was young. I did a lot of work on that car. brings back memories.
Yes, I 100% agree with the people in your comments. I really like watching your video's. Please I know it's a pain the the butt, but you have a lot of knowledge that people would like to know.
Nice car, I love the big ole Ford land yachts
Luke is easily the best educational mechanic on youtube. Granted it's not repair specific based, I've learned so much from him and I only have a 08 civic and 88 f250 to work on when needed.
Love watching you and Kevin rebuild and revive old cars/trucks like this one, but you both are also the reason I can't do it. Not that I'm technically incapable of following the detailed steps you laid out, but that I'll inevitably end up with a yard full of awesome cars I fall in love with and can't get rid of. 😅👍
I'm a GM guy of many many decades. Both GM and Ford have made things they got really right. If we got a vehicle that was all the combined good of each would be pretty damn cool. But that never happened and is never going to happen. Ever since about 2005 we have been in a steady free fall with cars. CAFE has fucked everything up. Needless driving aids and nanny systems. Needless electronics and comfort items. More body modules than 15 cars should have. We had it right about the turn of the new millenium. Highly reliable and fuel efficient cars that were repairable by average Joe's.
I agree.
Amen to that! AMC was a half attempt at combining Ford, Chrysler and GM into one vehicle and AMC did make some stout rigs throughout their existence I ain't gonna lie and they had some flops too of course.
Buy an AMC, my Javelin used the big 3, GM distributor, Chrysler transmission and Ford starter & solenoid..😝
@@DoyleShadduck This!
The best fine tuning video i have seen using what you have at hand, im not a mechanic im trying to learn as much as i can for my first classic resto, thank you Uncle Thunderhead.👍🙏
You are very welcome
As someone who used to do this for a living and who would definitely lose my head if it wasn’t attached, the best way I found to keep from losing parts or tools during a job is to designate a specific place to put them. I had a rolling plastic cart for parts and a small tool cart for tools (both rolling because I would work in different bays in the shop). If you give yourself a specific place to put stuff and train yourself to use those spots, you’ll have fewer instances where you get distracted and set things down in random spots. It worked for me anyway.
You are very correct - I used to have a cart until I backed into it (apparently i needed a cart to put my cart in so i remembered where it was. Need to get a new one!
Your making a difference , Thankyou for all your help
What ever little sprinking I can apply to change modern day perception of classics and help out tuning methodology, im glad 🙂
Thanks for all the detailed explanation, i did not expected to get a full course on ignition, it's so great to have people still sharing their knowledge !
When I was young man. Had a 72 Galaxy 500 two door HT. 400M c6. That car was the best car I’ve ever owned. But you know being young and not to wise. Sold it. With age comes wisdom. Thank you for the content.
You are very welcome.
From regret and pain comes wisdom indeed, or at least one hopes.
Thunderhead 289 you could always acquire the car sans drivetrain back and marketplace another drivetrain option to put in the car and make that a continuous video series with the car there's a few things that you can fix up on it i didn't say it needs them fixed up though.. but i think alot of us would like to see it
Sir Luke is a fine mechanic! Good stuff.
Thank you for taking the time to post these videos.I finally got my hands on a 67 Galaxie that I have passed by for years as it sat in my neighbor’s driveway. It was going to be converted to a four barrel,but the project stalled.So…That meant the carb and distributor were thrown inside the car.This is taking me step by step through the process of getting the car going again.Thanks again!
You are a great teacher Luke, always a pleasant surprise to get a video from you.
That 1967 is worth saving, good price!
Luke please don't let him kill this car. The body is just too nice. I'd love to buy it and put another motor and trans in it. I fell in love with it just watching the video
The 300 and e4od from my van would be beautiful in a big old big body car.... I would love it. Such a smooth engine and trans I have in an un-smooth pile of crap van. Yeesh
Luke, you have answered a question I had, way back in '73 approx. I had thought I had a vapour lock problem, which I could negate by pouring cold water over the carb. Now this was an old (then) '62 Ford !500 Cortina (English) which had a down-draft Zenith. It got so bad, that my only choice was ditch the car, or carb. Price differential between new carb and new car was in favour of car (£35 v £50) Of course I went with new car b. Can't remember what was in the kit, but it was quite substantially more than I took off. I suspect one thing was thicker spacer for single barrel. Did make difference, 'cos problem went away for rest of cars life (6 months). Now I know why!!! Thanks Luke, this is why I've missed you, you answer 50+ yr old questions. From UK.
I never miss an episode, you're my kinda guy. Being as that's a 67 I wonder if it's a 410ci? The 390 bore with a 428 crank. It's a great looking old car, I would jump all over that for $1,000 too. It looks like the paint'll buff out really nice, doesn't look rusty, interior looks savable. What a dreamship.
Nice idea about the 410, but all of them were 4 barrels. But you can see this is a 2V. I have a '66 Colony Park wagon with the 410-4V and a '67 Mercury Commuter wagon with the 390-2V.
There's quite a bit of rust on the lower rear quarters. Cool car though and worth restoring.
Great lesson! Thanks I learned about Initial timing!!!
I'm from the time that car would have been new, actually my dad had a 67 Monterrey. Rode like a dream, 390 auto. Run all day at 75 and 80. FE;s are some old great motors
It amazes me how many videos I see of guys pulling a non running FE out of a field and it’ll idle a nickel like that with a little tuning. Great job. Meanwhile I do a complete overhaul and the new motor smokes like a freight train.
I always avoided FE engines for most of my life due to some stigmas I acquired from other people - but once they landed in my possession, from my own experiences I have been absolutely nothing but impressed
Oooh, a good way to start the morning!
Great work Luke. Great job explaining the processes.
nice job tuning that old car. Good video man. Love watching these tutorial videos.
Rather watch your shenanigans than ANY more friggin' LS swaps from some of these Chebby geeks!
Agreed! Friend of mine was LS swapping in 2009 all the sudden it's super popular now I've even seen channels and shops arguing who started it Lol
great instructional video, Luke. Thanks
Fun fact for ya. The pump shaft on an ATX front wheel drive transmission (Tempo/Topaz) will fit perfectly into the oil pump and is more than long enough to run the pump with a drill prior to running engine on new builds. Ensures oil system is fully primed before firing up, especially useful on flat tappet engines.
Love old Mercs. A blast to drive and they ride nice. 1965 2 door Monterey 390 is so cool. NO COMPUTERS. For me, I would've pulled the engine & trans out & a complete rebuild on both. Next is the differential. While that goes on, body would be completely restored at the body shop. Then complete new suspension installed before engine/trans reinstallment takes places. That car would last the rest of my lifetime unless some drunk plows into it. Lots of DWI/DUIs in this state. Fatalities because of it too.
A computer is often still no replacement for a human 🙂
You must have a fat wallet.
I’m so glad you’re doing more videos again. I’m about to fire my 64 ranchero with a rebuilt 289 for the first time and I really learned a lot about timing from you. Got a carb cheater, just welded on the O2 sensor bung tonight so I ready to hook everything up and let her rip, and actually be able to see what it’s doing on my phone, so excited. I watch Sleeperdude as well and I think you guys would get along well since you both do similar stuff and you seem to be pals with a bunch of the same UA-camrs.
Thanks for taking the time to record and share this with us. I enjoyed it.
love the shared knowledge ,,, as an older guy pushing 60 i have forgotten and not learn alot of what your talking about ,,, i was on the end of carbs beginning of EFI
Appreciate your time you put into doing these videos bud! Very informative and valuable still in these precarious times. Cheers!
You young man are a legend 🇬🇧
Well, now I have to go and redo all my timing in my truck. Thanks Luke.
I love it, nice ride!
Thank you! I've always had issues tuning in carbs and now I can't wait to get my fairlane done so I can.
Those late 60's Mercury's were really well made cars. Very interesting fixes.
You're a wealth of information and a gentleman. Thanks for the video!
Great video Luke, thanks. One of the best channels.
Always love the long content, even if the tools start to talk back in an Aussie accent. That was a throwback for sure! Keep up the good work!
Great job! I'm an old guy in my 70s and I am very impressed with your channel, and I love the Food content!
A great tutorial, thanks for your knowledge on these older engines.
I am a Ford man and will watch because you help me lots of times. Well done.👍
I just bought an 83 F150 4x4 351 with a carb. spacer. Yep, gonna watch all your video's to get that thing running right.
I admit I am not a Ford person. However, Ford does have its cars that I admire and respect. I am happy to see you saving this old Mercury, this is from when FoMoCo made some of their best looking vehicles, in my opinion.
Not necessarily a Mopar or a ford person myself big gm square body trucks and gm gbody fan and the hei distributor setups lol, anyway that being said i love the bumpside Ford trucks and the fe and ft motors powering them
One of my favorites! I like your videos! ThunderHead RULES!!! 🍻
Exellently executed video, Luke, very much appreciated. Another solid revival of a car worth driving. 🐏🙂
I think the Squirrel used the Safety Glasses for when He cracked his nuts. Lol.
Using a wheel of death on an angle grinder to crack em open too. Lol.
This is the best guidance on carb and timing on these old Fords I've ever seen, and you make it fun along the way. I own 4 FE powered units love the FE stuff!
I really enjoy your videos, a lot of great information that I did not know that will help me with my vehicles. It looks like you have a great life going. Keep up the good work.
As the saying goes - you can have everything you want, just not all at once in life. Far from perfect, but one should always take time to appreciate the good aspects of each stage of life 🙂
Awesome Mercury…so glad when anyone saves an old Mercury cousin to the popular Ford full size models
Whatever happened to the Torino?
I've been waiting for that one too!
He probably sold it.
When I was a kid, we had a Colony Park wagon ‘69, I think. Two things those cars never have are brakes or oil pressure. Ours stalled sometimes when you apply the brakes hard while making sharp turns. My mom smashed ours into my uncle George’s boat trailer for that very reason. I loved the car. Huge, comfortable, power everything which was a big deal in the early 70’s.
Got the popcorn and let the roller coaster commence.
Had a 68 Monterey, one of the best cars I ever had. I liked the body style and the 390 power plant.
Love the in-depth timing seminar!! Love that FE sound.. Such great engines.. Great to see ya, Luke
Back in early 90s i had a 66 galaxie500xL with the 352. Was a great running car. My dad 67 galaxie500xL with the 390.
I only drive pre 1989 rwd Chrysler products and it helps a ton being able to use most parts I've saved on a lot of my vehicles. And after enough wrenching you learn a lot about what your working on and almost become the equivalent of a service tech of the era.
Keep that car, don't let it get junked by someone who just wants it for the drivetrain. You got it back on the road again. Great content that I appreciate, Thank you Sir.
Look at that pristine headliner!
Love that partial clear steering wheel, my dad’s 68 Pontiac Bonniville
And the wheel covers on the mercury reminds me of the 64-68 Pontiac Grand Prix and Bonneville and the 8 perimeter lug nut wheels lol
Ole Luke knows his stuff on timing and carbs for sure!
That hot start / boiling fuel / vapor lock advice was really good. TY. I am glad you are making videos again. I always enjoy your videos. You work on what you have.
Thanks for the information
I had a 1968 Mercury Monterey with a 390 in it. One of my favorite cars.
Back in the late 80's l had a 67 mercury monterey, with a 390 and a two barrel, with a
mercomatic auto, and a factory panhard bar..lol..l loved that car, she was gold, 4 door hard top sedan, with black interior...
Man l miss that old boat, what a great car...
A great vid for me, many thanks. good job.
My parents had a 1971 Mercury Monterey when I was growing up. Little bit of nostalgia watching you work on this one.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DEJUCATE US ON THE OLD FORDS WHICH I LOVE
When it comes to engine tuning info nobody comes close to the level of detail and clarity you’re able to communicate. Thank you for filming this one for us!
I dont film everything - most things I don't honestly, but when I feel like there knowedge to pass forward, I always try 🙂
Thank you for appreciating the time taken to make things like this happen
Excellent job explaining everything. I like watching your videos because of your detail to all possible issues and the fix. Thank you Luke!
You are very welcome 🙂
You are a good mechanic and a good teacher. Enjoyed and learned from this video.
Thank you - i just know enough to be dangerous 🙂