Big hammer = cracked parts

Important tip:  When hitting something with a hammer it’s a good idea to make sure the bracket is solid or else put something behind it.  I didn’t do that and I wound up cracking the timing cover.  So, $60 later I have a new (used and very dirty) timing cover.  Also, another $15 for the gaskets since I’m pulling it off now.  Argh!  I have to look at the bright side of this.  It will give me a chance to paint the timing cover itself.  I think I’ll do it a silver just to set it off.  Woot!

John Wilkins is the man.  He’s letting me borrow a wheel and tire so I don’t have to mess with the tire situation right now.  There’s $250 I can defer to a later date!  He also loaned me a very good Ford shop manual and some thread cleaner/chasers.  Since I’ll be removing the timing cover I’ll take the opportunity to chase out the threads that are buried in the block.

I now have all of the parts I need to put the wheels on.  No more excuses for not having a roller.  I still need to get the front brake pads but that can wait for a bit. Maybe, just maybe, it will be a roller this weekend.  That would be a very nice thing.