'78 F250

[bucketobolts]

I answered an add on the Craigslist last week about a '78 F250 4x4. I had first though of just buying it for the drive line; NP435, 205, HP44 with dual piston calipers, and FF D60. But after I got it home and started checking things out, its not i that bad of shape. Yeh, the bed is rough and there is some surface rust, but no major rot in the cab. It will need a motor. The 351M tossed its cookies. A motor, some cleaning up, and a coat of paint and she'll look like a different vehicle.

[blazinchuck]

thats awesome...you should save that one!Chuck

[66bronco]

man that is a nice find.i have a 78 f150 mud toy.gotta love those old trucks

[bucketobolts]

I don't think I can bring myself to part it out. My father inlaw told me I could have the red '79 F150 in the background for any body parts I need. I've also talked with my body guy about changing the color. He says dark blue, I like red or the grey on my Dodge. I know where there is a 400M I can pick up cheap. That would be an easy engine upgrade/swap. I'm going to study up and see if I can build a torque monster.

[bucketobolts]

I managed to pull a 400M yesterday. Looks to be a decent builder. I'm going to try to get it stripped down and carry the block to the machine shop either Friday or Monday. Doesn't look like it will take much to clean up the bores. I'm hunting for an aluminum 4V intake and may be a set of Aussie heads. Going to try to keep the compression down to 9:1 or a little less with a good torque camshaft.

It would be nice to stumble across a big block ZF 5spd...

[blazinchuck]

I think I know where one is at, but it was close to $1000 for it,Chuck

[bucketobolts]

I dropped the block and crank off at the machine shop this week. Should here from them the first part of next week. They are going to let me know what it takes to clean up the bores so I can get the pistons. Then he's going to finish hone to the piston manufactures specs. The crank looks good, but is going to get a polishing for good measures. Tim Meyer from TMI is hooking me up with a pair of Aussie heads and match 0 deck quench pistons. This set up gives 9.5:1, a little higher then I wanted, but will run on pump gas because of the matching head to piston design. I did pick up a Saginaw pump and bracket off of an '80 Ford van with a 351M. I love these pumps. Later on I may want to swap the vacuum brakes for hydros.

[bucketobolts]

The machine shop called and gave me the specs; Block made .040 over, he went ahead and squared the crank at -.010/.010. I made the call to TMI and he is going to ship everything for the bottom end Monday. He said it would be about another week or so till he could get the heads rebuilt and shipped. I may have the short block together by the Uwharrie meet. I'm still looking for a used 4V intake, oil pan, and a Holley to rebuild.

[bucketobolts]

UPS dropped off my Ausie heads today. The pistons and other misc. stuff came last Friday. As soon as the shop finish hones the bores and installs the cam bearings and freeze plugs, I should be able to start assembling.

[blazinchuck]

thats awesome!Chuck