d4klutz
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- Jan 23, 2014
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My first truck was a 1978 F250 with the 351 Modified. I loved the looks and styling of the truck and rue the day that I sold it. However, over the last 18 years, I have wanted another 1978 Ford truck. I finally found it! I had bought a 1962 Willys Jeep (running and driving) a few months ago for $2500. I was going to fix it up, but just never had the time or passion to do so. It was too small for my 6'4" frame, but I just couldn't pass up on the amazing deal. So, I used it around my property to move things, etc. A coworker of mine approached me one day to tell me that he was selling his 78 f100 shortbed truck, as he had just lost interest in it. He was asking $5000, but would sell it to me for $3000 as he knew I was wanting another 78, and he just wanted his money back out of it that he put into it. I offered a trade... my 62 willys for his 78 f100. After a week of deliberation and convincing his wife, he agreed! So, about 3 weeks ago, I went and took the willys to him and picked up my new truck. I hadn't even gotten it home before people were asking if I wanted to sell it. The answer was an unequivocal NO! I had 2 people offer to buy it within the first 12hrs of owning it. :lol!:
So, without further ado, here is my dream truck. It is the original color with almost no rust (just a few surface spots)
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This truck has the (4.9l) 300ci straight six in it with an edelbrock 650cfm 4 barrel carb sitting on an offenhauser dual port intake. The motor is actually an industrial motor out of a dumptruck. So, it breathes a little better and is designed to run around 3500 rpm without heating issues. The original 3 on the tree transmission has been converted to a top-loader three speed (shifter on the floor). It will move out very quickly.
Issues:
1) charging issues - alternator was not recharging the battery -- FIXED by re-crimping and re-routing all the wires from the alternator to to the voltage regulator
2) Hard start issues - carb is out of adjustment and fuel pump is weak. -- Replaced fuel pump, still need to adjust carb.
3) Wiring issues - there is alot of hacked up wiring under the dash -- my plan is to eventually buy a new harness and replace the one that is there
4) Headlight issues - Headlight wiring is hacked up and it needs a new headlight harness. -- plan is to rebuild the headlight harness from an existing harness that I have from a newer f150
5) exhaust - the catalytic converter is stopped up. -- plan is to cut the cat off and straight pipe the exhaust until I have the engine running right. Then I will put a glasspack on it in order to give it the nasty, mean, rumble that only a straight 6 can deliver.
6) I have no place to put my drinks/ pipes/ etc. I will fabricate something that will allow me to hold these items securely, yet within easy reach.
I will update this thread as I get the projects completed
So, without further ado, here is my dream truck. It is the original color with almost no rust (just a few surface spots)
This truck has the (4.9l) 300ci straight six in it with an edelbrock 650cfm 4 barrel carb sitting on an offenhauser dual port intake. The motor is actually an industrial motor out of a dumptruck. So, it breathes a little better and is designed to run around 3500 rpm without heating issues. The original 3 on the tree transmission has been converted to a top-loader three speed (shifter on the floor). It will move out very quickly.
Issues:
1) charging issues - alternator was not recharging the battery -- FIXED by re-crimping and re-routing all the wires from the alternator to to the voltage regulator
2) Hard start issues - carb is out of adjustment and fuel pump is weak. -- Replaced fuel pump, still need to adjust carb.
3) Wiring issues - there is alot of hacked up wiring under the dash -- my plan is to eventually buy a new harness and replace the one that is there
4) Headlight issues - Headlight wiring is hacked up and it needs a new headlight harness. -- plan is to rebuild the headlight harness from an existing harness that I have from a newer f150
5) exhaust - the catalytic converter is stopped up. -- plan is to cut the cat off and straight pipe the exhaust until I have the engine running right. Then I will put a glasspack on it in order to give it the nasty, mean, rumble that only a straight 6 can deliver.
6) I have no place to put my drinks/ pipes/ etc. I will fabricate something that will allow me to hold these items securely, yet within easy reach.
I will update this thread as I get the projects completed
The only way this truck would be for sale, is if someone offered me an insane amount of money (10 grand or more). :lol!: I am not greedy, just that, at 10 grand, I would be stupid NOT to sell it.
