Bought a second truck.

[specta]

Last week I bought this 1976 Ford F-250 4-wd, gratefully it isn't a highboy. I really think I stole it after searching for another truck.

Body and paint a bit rough but very little to almost no rust.

Once I put my camper on my other truck I no longer have a PU. I've only taken the camper off of my truck once since March and I'll be using thru the end of November.

The truck needs a lot. Its been sitting outside for nearly 20 years. Started and driven a few miles about once a year.

It has a 390 2-bbl out of 1966 Mercury Monterey. Runs pretty good after giving it a tuneup.

Replaced a bunch of stuff like the grill, battery tray, dash pad, seat cover, brake/clutch pedal pads and some other misc stuff. Still have lots to go.








My new tires arrived Monday so I took some steel wool to the Dodge chrome wheels and then had the tires mounted and balanced.

I like it. :B

[specta]

spoon059 wrote:
Wow, that truck is incredible for a $5000ish total investment! I have some very basic mechanic abilities, but you've attacked some issues that I don't have confidence in my abilities to handle. I imagine it would be double the cost or more if you paid labor.

Absolutely beautiful truck though!!!

Thank you again. My background is automotive, I've worked on a lot of these back in the day.

With the cost of labor rates today would make this truck cost prohibitive for me.

Sometimes it kills my back and legs. LOL

[Cummins12V98]

Geo*Boy wrote:

1320Fastback wrote:
If you got time throw another hose clamp on each end of the rad hoses. Two is always better than one and gives you a spare in case one let's go.

Seriously???????:R

Please tell what disturbs you about his post?

[Grit_dog]

Geo*Boy wrote:

1320Fastback wrote:
If you got time throw another hose clamp on each end of the rad hoses. Two is always better than one and gives you a spare in case one let's go.

Seriously???????:R

Yeah, seriously. It was a sound and very reasonable suggestion.
Spend much time in the back country or on the water? Or ever had a worm drive clamp break or strip out? I’ll guess not.
Not saying it’s mandatory , obviously.
But from the factory, our boat has double clamps on all thru hull connections and any that could siphon from the water.
Plus, unless one is being very selective with new clamps, there are a lot of cheaply made clamps out there hanging in store shelves waiting to be the next stripped out hose clamp to ruin your day.

[Geo_Boy]

1320Fastback wrote:
If you got time throw another hose clamp on each end of the rad hoses. Two is always better than one and gives you a spare in case one let's go.

Seriously???????:R

[1320Fastback]

If you got time throw another hose clamp on each end of the rad hoses. Two is always better than one and gives you a spare in case one let's go.

[spoon059]

Wow, that truck is incredible for a $5000ish total investment! I have some very basic mechanic abilities, but you've attacked some issues that I don't have confidence in my abilties to handle. I imagine it would be double the cost or more if you paid labor.

Absolutely beautiful truck though!!!

[specta]

spoon059 wrote:
Wow, this is really cool specta! I love the older Ford trucks, they were beautiful!!! I lack the knowledge, patience or finances to take on a project like this, but you appear to be doing an amazing job. I like that you are just "rehabbing", not restoring it. That truck looks great with some dings and dents!

Do you mind telling how much you paid for it and how much you have invested thus far? I'm just curious, because I have no clue how much something like that costs.

Again, beautiful truck, beautiful locations to go driving!

Thank you, I think its an awesome old truck.

I stole it from a friend for $800. :E I tried to give him more because I knew it was worth more but he refused to take a penny more. It had been sitting on his property for about 18 years. He's a very good friend and has been for years.

I have a HUGE pile of receipts but I haven't added them up. I would guess truck and parts maybe $4000????? That might be a little high though. Thank heaven the labor is free. 😉

[spoon059]

Wow, this is really cool specta! I love the older Ford trucks, they were beautiful!!! I lack the knowledge, patience or finances to take on a project like this, but you appear to be doing an amazing job. I like that you are just "rehabbing", not restoring it. That truck looks great with some dings and dents!

Do you mind telling how much you paid for it and how much you have invested thus far? I'm just curious, because I have no clue how much something like that costs.

Again, beautiful truck, beautiful locations to go driving!

[specta]

ford truck guy wrote:


I am exhausted ( and broke ) just following this rebuild !

Cannot wait for it's completion....:C

Me too. :B

[ford_truck_guy]

specta wrote:

MFL wrote:
Yup, everything takes time, order of importance...those valve covers though!

Congrats on progress already made!

Jerry

I get beat up about those all the time. LOL

I am exhausted ( and broke ) just following this rebuild !

Cannot wait for it's completion....:C

[specta]

MFL wrote:
Yup, everything takes time, order of importance...those valve covers though!

Congrats on progress already made!

Jerry

I get beat up about those all the time. LOL

[MFL]

Yup, everything takes time, order of importance...those valve covers though!

Congrats on progress already made!

Jerry

[specta]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Would be nice to get the rest of the engine clean and pimped out!

I will eventually, what I did yesterday looks out of place. LOL

[Cummins12V98]

Would be nice to get the rest of the engine clean and pimped out!

[specta]

My truck kicked my butt yesterday.
New water pump, upper and lower radiator hoses, new thermostat, heater hose, all new hose clamps and two new fan belts.
While putting the water pump on one of gaskets slipped out and I didn't notice it until it was all put back together and filled up with some fresh antifreeze.
Then I noticed a small drip. Everything had to come back off to get the gasket back in there.
Two cans of degreaser and a pressure washer and it barely put a dent in the grease. Its thick and 45 years old.
Its going to take a high pressure steam cleaner so that's not going to happen for a long time.
Just too many other things need fixing.

I hurt this morning. I'm getting too old for this kind of work.

I ordered two new belts for it and they were the wrong belts.
I had two matched sets of Motorcraft belts that I had for my '72 F-250 and to my surprise they fit this truck.
The alternator and power steering take the same belt.




I was offered $6000 for my truck yesterday.

Sorry, but its not for sale. 😉