78 F-150

[DreadyDiggs]

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1248803891.html

Thinking about buying this truck. Called the guy up. It's an auto. I'm in a hurry and can't look around online now (will tonight), but I was gonna ask you guys (yea I trust you guys with just about any kind of vehicle honestly, especially since a few of you have dealt with these trucks), do you think a tranny swap to 3 on the tree or in the floor would be very expensive?

If some of you remember, my grandfather had a 73 F-100 Ranger, that sunk for 8 hours. I really wanted it, but floor boards were rusted through, and pulled spark plugs to find sand an all kinds of crap on them. Grandma has since towed it away, it's gone.

http://forums.celicasupra.com/showthread.php?t=46313&highlight=F-100&page=2

Tonight I'll look online at prices if I can, and will have to yard too. Should I suck it up and leave it auto or go for it?

That's the link to my thread about the 73.

For this price, and the fact that she's not half bad looking and gives me something to tinker with, I'm very interested. But I'm not an auto fan, and would down the line like to have it a manual.

[dannymk2]

they were good, solid trucks. the 351 was a strong motor. considering its an easy fix, it looks like a good deal. my only question is that if all that was wrong with it is the alternator, why wouldnt he just throw one in? they are damn cheap and super abundant.

[DreadyDiggs]

True. I'll be calling him again getting down to the dirty details before I even go visit this thing.


starter was running before timeing chain went now jus sitting i think its not grounded cause every time i try to start it shorts out think its the alternator

It's not just the alt from the sounds of it. It sounds like bad grounds. I'll get full details on it tomorrow. Now to post about a not so good day.

[Chris Sullins(STIX)]

they were good, solid trucks. the 351 was a strong motor. .

Read it agian..The post says 351M.. That is a big a$$ beast.. Very large and heavy engine..It dwarfs the windsor blocks..My buddy has a 400M in his garage from his F250.. It shares nothing with other motors except the pushrods.. If you can figure out the wiring problems there is a great truck in there..Not very many performance parts for the M series blocks but great motor still..Oh and to think if you pick this up and find the Supra you will have 2 vehicles with M series blocks,LOL..

[theWeezL]

I just sold my 85 460/c6 F250. Leave it an automatic, that trans is a tough sucker and imho shifting a granny trans is tedious.

The ad sounds sketchy to me though. Threw a timing chain, then replaced it but now it doesnt turn over? bent valves anyone? I paid $500 for my truck with 83k original miles on it and it started and ran. Trucks are ALL OVER CL for sale right now and people are just giving them away.

If I were going to buy another truck I would either get a small block 2wd and drop it, or get a big block 4wd and raise it.

[Sparky]

Amen to leaving it auto. I've got a 4 on the floor 69 F100 with a 360 in it, and shifting that thing sucks (also, the bad accelerator pump didn't help matters). I'm seriously considering going over to a C4 if I ever bother to get it running again. Also, the 400M blocks are dogs; they are very heavy, but doesn't make a big amount of power. IIRC they were one of the emissions engines for the 70s (loosely based on the 351C).

What are you after? Fun truck? Tow Rig? Offroad? If you aren't doing any serious towing, look for a 302 (manual or auto). There is so much support for the 289-302 small block it isn't funny. If you are going to tow, don't settle for less than either a 390 or 460, depending on the year. Good luck on the truck thing though, old Fords can be fun.

...oh, and don't get that one. You should be able to get a solid running 73-79 for $500. Not pretty, but running.

[JZE72]

"timeing chain" oh how I love craigslist :D

[DreadyDiggs]

Yo Sparky

She ain't gotta be pretty. I won't be doing a lot of towing NOW, but possibly in the long run I might end up at the heaviest towing a decent size boat (my uncle has a 19fter, something that size or smaller). I plan to keep my cars in the long run, cause I only get what I really like.

It definitely don't have to be pretty. In the immediate future, it's going to be a hunting, fishing, junkyard whore. 8ft bed is a must (personal preference).

I won't be buying this truck. My manual transmission preference told me to not even call him back. I can't explain that, I just prefer manuals.

EDIT- I've been sitting here thinking. I'm gonna try my hardest to wait til closer to hunting season before I actually get the truck, whichever truck I get. New "For Sales" pop up everyday. Basically, I don't want 4 Cylinders. 6 or 8. I don't want auto. Manual only. I prefer 8ft bed. Now compact p/ups with a 6cyl, and I won't even mention 8s (a few 90% completed projects for sale though). I'd ride a compact, mid-size, or full-size truck, long as I get in it and it feels like a truck.