1966 F100 EcoBoost Engine Swap (EcoBoosted)

[PugetDude]

Always amazed at your workmanship, Randy.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Crappy sound.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

My dream from 1966 seeing a 1966 Cyclone in a comic book. Between that and a 1934 Ford Victoria my all time favorite cars later adding so many yrs of ford trucks.

This car i caught wind of march 2020 and said if ya ever decided to sell with a couple hints since.
Bought new in Northern California with same owner until 2019 and was sold in estate sale.

56k miles. Original paint, interior, driveline, chrome n trim. Unreal nice in same color as one in comic book.

It’s a true 390 GT also. The 335hp version same rating as 428 cobra jet from 68 1/2 to 1970.
Starting in 1967 the 390
This car has the dual range C-6
gt power was dropped to 320. Cam change for emissions

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Burgundy metallic with parchment interior
Power brakes
Power steering
Monkey wards AC
Wipers not working prob because never used.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Hoping to actually look at car sometime mid June
Pretty hard to beat the originality with any make model brand for 57 yrs old this month.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

The ‘23 F250 HO truck has been shipped.
30 days from order date to showing shipped.
Delivery June 1-14th.
Still total up in air what will happen with it.

Waiting on R build status.

 

[36truck]

That Comet is amazing.

 

[danski0224]

I'd drive it.

 

[gasgas17]

I remember going to the grocery store with my mother in the early 70's in her white Ford Galaxy. We went thru the parcel pickup and the bag boy placed all the groceries on the floor in the front seat. Then he slammed the door shut and my hand was on the door jamb at the time. The door latched. It must not have sounded quite right because the bag boy immediately turned around and opened the door back up. It hurt! luckily my hand was not near the door latch.... I will never forget that day or the look on the guys face. He must have felt 2 inches tall.

 

[gsloan]

Nice car!
How long since those tires were made? Could they be that old or have they been reproduced?

 

[Boosted1]

The 66 Crew cab looks great. Will you apply seam sealer to bottom side?
Sorry if I missed it, but what is the plan for the '23 F250?

 

[TimeWarpF100]

That Comet is amazing.

Nice one for sure!

I'd drive it.

That's the plan! To drive it every week

I remember going to the grocery store with my mother in the early 70's in her white Ford Galaxy. We went thru the parcel pickup and the bag boy placed all the groceries on the floor in the front seat. Then he slammed the door shut and my hand was on the door jamb at the time. The door latched. It must not have sounded quite right because the bag boy immediately turned around and opened the door back up. It hurt! luckily my hand was not near the door latch.... I will never forget that day or the look on the guys face. He must have felt 2 inches tall.

OUCH!

Nice car!
How long since those tires were made? Could they be that old or have they been reproduced?

Not sure on tires but would assume they have been replaced at some point. First thing current owner did was remove those tires and wheels then had a bit larger wheels painted to match and bought NOS 1967 Comet dog dish caps and the Wide Oval tires which are currently on it. They are a few years old tops. If I were to drive the car home would use those tires.

The 66 Crew cab looks great. Will you apply seam sealer to bottom side?
Sorry if I missed it, but what is the plan for the '23 F250?

Bottom side is done. As much as I scraped and blasted each and every nook n cranny then made sure to get epoxy, paint and satin clear into those nooks n cranny's I will leave it as is right now. Nice thing is each and every crossmember or joint, seam has a way for water or moisture to escape and looks so much cleaner like it is.

Plan on the F250 has total backfired. Dreamed about the R for years after it was announced. Not having a extra dime at the time I was able to secure a spot at MSRP so stayed on the list and Last July 18th when call came if I was still interested I said of course and placed the order. Plan was to sell a couple/few trucks to buy the R but then last minute with no trucks ready decided to sell the F100R instead. After it sold I started thinking that R would be a boatload of $$ to have ******* and would need to sell another or 2 old trucks to be able to keep it and it would mostly be a garage queen very low mile driven truck maybe a few 1000 miles per year.

I nearly sold the N CrewCab but started thinking what would I really rather have the trucks I have or the R. At this point I started dreaming of a new F250 instead. Had build date on the R for April Build then May. At this time the GM of dealer said he had a opening for a 23 250 in any configuration I wanted to build as long as it was a Lariat or less trim. I did as basic of a F250 as I possibly could but had to have a few features like the only 10% of trucks to get the 500hp 1200tq 6.7 so clicked that box then wanted max payload, camper package, handling package, high capacity tow. Lightest truck of course is the Regular Cab long bed and 4x4 was only 2700.00 more. XL basic truck to keep rest of costs down.
For around the shop moving all this heavy stuff mostly alone I clicked on the factory avail 12,000 lb winch too.
Retired Ford friend offered me Z plan with a nearly 7k savings. I ordered the truck thinking the R would come in first then I could trade it to the 250. Well, the R's were put on hold because of engine oil leak issue and trucks already build all on hold needing engine replacement.
The 250 from date of order to build was few days over a month. I then found out I could not trade it for the R as I would have to keep minimum of 6 months because of Z plan. That threw a curve to everything.

So now waiting on Status and build of the R that maybe if dealer would hold the 250 until R comes In I could buy R enjoy a bit then trade in on the 250. Of course in the middle of all this the '66 Comet became avail throwing yet another curve.

In the meantime I cannot just sit in rocking chair all day so before weather got too hot decided to move ahead on the N Crew.

So to actually answer your question on the 250 at this point it has been shipped and a month or less out and I have no clue what will happen to the R, Comet or the 250 until it actually happens . . I do not have $$ to buy the 250 and the R then sell one. The order would need to be buy the R first which I have full intent to actually do. Far too much stress and waiting games not to actually take delivery.
Will see how I can work things out with dealer.

1) Buy R when it shows hopefully will know build status by the time the 250 shows up at dealer
1a) Current build week scheduled for 6/19
2) Once I have R will decide to sell, trade, keep
3) Current R pricing seems to be around 160k for a new/used sold driven very little truck. My cost is 109.245.00 No brainer gotta take delivery no matter what. Taxes fees plates around 10k
Will see what dealer offers for trade on R towards 250 if they are willing to hang on that long, Just a little something for me to trade.
I have absolutely no clue how this will all work out.
If I end up keeping R will have to let go of a bunch of truck parts and a truck or 2 or 3. Which would also mean no engine upgrade in N Crew

It could very well end up no R no 250 no comet if R never gets built.
Anxiety thru the roof not knowing but trying to keep busy with the N build plus Rainbow waiting for paint as is Eco2

Ask me again in 30 days!

 

[gsloan]

Oh my.........

 

[36truck]

My brain hurts just reading your story. I like the 66 comet & N crew most.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

My brain hurts just reading your story. I like the 66 comet & N crew most.

Now you know why my brain hurts! Add in a dozen HUGE projects plus so much other stuff . .
At this point trying to concentrate on N Crew, Rainbow Ranger
The new stuff is off radar but I do have to take delivery of the RaptorR when it shows up.
No clue what will happen on the 250

Would much rather keep N Crew plus get the cyclone. Don't have to worry about $$ crash on either any time soon.

 

[rabakoe]

The N700 looks beyond fantastic, Randy. I will have to stop pretending I can afford one of your trucks for sale if you keep up all this blasting and painting!

I’ve certainly gained a new appreciation for the 65-66 body style since I first started reading this thread eleven (11?!?) years ago. Always had a soft spot for the 48-52 years as well. Hmm, 2.7/6R80 swap?

Keep up the great work, love seeing the updates.

 

[bulletpruf]

Now you know why my brain hurts! Add in a dozen HUGE projects plus so much other stuff . .
At this point trying to concentrate on N Crew, Rainbow Ranger

Those are going to be two FANTASTIC trucks when done. I'm thinking it makes more sense to concentrate on Rainbow Ranger now since that's going to be sold.

The new stuff is off radar but I do have to take delivery of the RaptorR when it shows up.

Agreed. That would be one easy payday if you turned around and sold it for a tidy profit.

No clue what will happen on the 250

250 would be at the bottom of my list. I like it, but there's more where that came from. I'd also get the 7.3 Godzilla gas engine.

Would much rather keep N Crew plus get the cyclone. Don't have to worry about $$ crash on either any time soon.

I hear you on keeping the N Crew, but are you going to jam yourself up by getting the Cyclone, too?

 

[TimeWarpF100]

The N700 looks beyond fantastic, Randy. I will have to stop pretending I can afford one of your trucks for sale if you keep up all this blasting and painting!

I’ve certainly gained a new appreciation for the 65-66 body style since I first started reading this thread eleven (11?!?) years ago. Always had a soft spot for the 48-52 years as well. Hmm, 2.7/6R80 swap?

Keep up the great work, love seeing the updates.

Thanks! 1000's of lbs of blasting media outside in front of shop and of course it's like washing a car it then rains right after.
Was making good progress blasting yesterday but just enough rain to mess things up.
I have a 25k mile 2.7 6r80 avail now complete running package for cheap! Cost me 5500 just for basic stuff.

Those are going to be two FANTASTIC trucks when done. I'm thinking it makes more sense to concentrate on Rainbow Ranger now since that's going to be sold.



Agreed. That would be one easy payday if you turned around and sold it for a tidy profit.



250 would be at the bottom of my list. I like it, but there's more where that came from. I'd also get the 7.3 Godzilla gas engine.



I hear you on keeping the N Crew, but are you going to jam yourself up by getting the Cyclone, too?

Trying to get blasting done prior to the 100 deg temps which we have already had a few. Once it's 100+ every day early in day my outside work pretty much stops for summer. July 1st thru October 1st just too hot for this old fart.
Mornings and evenings ok now. Last few nights we have had just enough rain to mess things up but it sure cools things down. What a mess it makes for my blasting stuff.

Plan is starting Monday to get back on Rainbow to get it painted.
Goal is for sure any type of profit on the 150 will help.
Still have 100% plus of $$ from F100R have not spent a dime so far. I sold other stuff to raise $$ to keep me going on N and other projects. But I did buy F100 4x4 back for future project or sell. (those $$ came from selling other stuff)

Hoping to pull the FT engine from N Crew tomorrow but no decision on engine will happen until after the "R" is dealt with

Only way the Cyclone will happen is if R comes and goes. We are driving the 900 miles to go look at it next month then go from there. By then I should have solid info on the R.

Yesterday the 250 Was in Gibson Indiana and now nothing but a faded memory. Very slim to no chance that will happen.

As far as keeping N crew it is getting very expensive daily now and trying to work in having the seats re-done. I will no longer give away my work like I have for past 50 yrs.

Right now pretty much everything depends on what happens with R.

I will sell about ANY project except for clone of dad's when done or at least until I get it out of my system.
Retirement less than 2 months away right now.

Sitting here at desk now, I vision

1966 Collection
N Crew Cab
Rainbow Ranger
Eco2
Current daily driver (light blue truck) It would get a repaint part or all of the Porsche Nissan prototype colors (free paint)
1966 F100 4x4 2.7 6R80 painted in Holly Green to match N with NPR on door
Clone of Dad's
1965 F600 Ramp Truck
1966 Cyclone GT
Also have what is called Stubby '66 with either a flareside or styleside bed
I also have multiple extra boxes for matching trailers

HUGE lofty dreams right now but it's cheap to dream?
Every bit above is already bought n paid for not owing a dime except possible cyclone.

Wife says I am booked up for 300 yrs so I should probably get busy . .

I will most likely come up with another plan prior to breakfast another before lunch and a few more after lunch then another dozen as I am trying to fall asleep.
But for right now this is the "Plan"

Any volunteers?

Very recent have started to see some changes in "Health"

 

[bulletpruf]

Trying to get blasting done prior to the 100 deg temps which we have already had a few. Once it's 100+ every day early in day my outside work pretty much stops for summer. July 1st thru October 1st just too hot for this old fart.
Mornings and evenings ok now. Last few nights we have had just enough rain to mess things up but it sure cools things down. What a mess it makes for my blasting stuff.

I hear you on the heat. I'm retiring at the end of July and driving from Virginia back to the Mother Ship in San Antonio. My problem is that my garage just got too crowded so I found myself doing a lot of work in the driveway. That gets old in the heat of the summer, so I have plan to make some more room in the garage -- once I sell the 4 post lift, I'll move some of the spare parts off-site.

Sitting here at desk now, I vision

1966 Collection
N Crew Cab
Rainbow Ranger
Eco2
Current daily driver (light blue truck) It would get a repaint part or all of the Porsche Nissan prototype colors (free paint)
1966 F100 4x4 2.7 6R80 painted in Holly Green to match N with NPR on door
Clone of Dad's
1965 F600 Ramp Truck
1966 Cyclone GT
Also have what is called Stubby '66 with either a flareside or styleside bed
I also have multiple extra boxes for matching trailers

HUGE lofty dreams right now but it's cheap to dream?
Every bit above is already bought n paid for not owing a dime except possible cyclone.

I thought Rainbow Ranger was going to get sold? If so, I'm really curious to see what it brings. Hope your efforts are rewarded.

Very recent have started to see some changes in "Health"

Good news???? Please elaborate!

 

[TimeWarpF100]

weekly progress pics
Another fender to blast but now cab and complete front clip have been blasted. Too many evening rains messed things up.
Today had hoped to pull engine on N Crew but more blasting left and where will I put the FT engine/transmission package…

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Lots of work and so messy but end result worth it! Can’t wait to get paint on parts. All factory mix colors perfect match not just “close”.

 

[Boosted1]

My .02 cents would be to pass on the Cyclone. I see it is a beautiful, well preserved, rare one. However it seems you have experienced many of the cars from that era and likely would be buying it near top of market. Where as the Raptor is latest tech that you can go anywhere, anytime in and still have something that is well below market.
Of course in the end, what will make you happy the most will be the determining factor. I'd pass on the cyclone.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

 

[Boosted1]

Would be nice to add some period style headlights with new / HID / Xenon internals.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Wow, that old sheet metal cleaned up nicely!

 

[bulletpruf]

Looks great, Randy! What media are you using and how much air pressure?

 

[nonhog]

Love the 66! Hung out with a friend in HS who had a 66 GTA Fairlane. Was there when he bought it. Fun car!

 

[gearhead1960]

Randy....here's an old road test I have for the Cyclone......enjoy!

 

[TimeWarpF100]

My .02 cents would be to pass on the Cyclone. I see it is a beautiful, well preserved, rare one. However it seems you have experienced many of the cars from that era and likely would be buying it near top of market. Where as the Raptor is latest tech that you can go anywhere, anytime in and still have something that is well below market.
Of course in the end, what will make you happy the most will be the determining factor. I'd pass on the cyclone.

The only known at this time is to take delivery of the R when it shows up. After that who knows. Going to look at the Cyclone sometime in June. The $$ on Cyclone is about 1/2 of current market value best I can tell.
The R if I were to keep it would not be a daily driver type vehicle and not something I would hop in for long trips. Mileage would be kept very low. The 250 on the other hand (not very likely it will happen) would also keep miles low but would be used on longer trips but not something I would drive daily. (Right now I go a week or 2 or more not leaving the property) 2-4000 miles per year is probably my average

Would be nice to add some period style headlights with new / HID / Xenon internals.

I already have a pair of headlights for it. Same as used on F100R

Wow, that old sheet metal cleaned up nicely!

That it did!

Looks great, Randy! What media are you using and how much air pressure?

120 psi and Black Diamond Fine

Love the 66! Hung out with a friend in HS who had a 66 GTA Fairlane. Was there when he bought it. Fun car!

I have had more 1966-67 Comets and Fairlanes than I can count. Love the platform but of course the '66 Cyclone favorite of them all.
I have had a couple '66 390 GT Fairlanes but never really drove them much. Ones I put the most miles on were the '67 427 Comet probably 6000 miles total. And one of the '67 Fairlane 427's probably 4k miles.

Randy....here's an old road test I have for the Cyclone......enjoy!

Great article! Comic like . . Thanks for posting! I added it to the '66 Cyclone file.

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

I don't follow it closely anymore, but it seems like the Comets were typically pennies on the dollar as compared to a comparable Fairlane, and a much smaller following/desirability. It that still true?

Regardless, if that's what you want, who cares?

 

[TimeWarpF100]

I don't follow it closely anymore, but it seems like the Comets were typically pennies on the dollar as compared to a comparable Fairlane, and a much smaller following/desirability. It that still true?

Regardless, if that's what you want, who cares?

The early comets no doubt were following well behind the fairlanes but starting in 1964 especially the Cyclone versions have done very well.
1964 Cyclone I think looks better than the fairlane although that is good year for fairlane too
1965 Cyclones are quite rare
1966 Cyclone is my favorite of all time car if I could only pick one year one model
1966-67 Fairlanes have owned many many but still prefer the sleeker lines of the Comet. The comet is 7" longer behind the tire than sibling fairlane.
I think the 1966-67 Comet Fairlanes are pretty close in value especially the 1966-67 GT versions not nearly as many sales on the comet as the fairlane. 32,000 is the number of 1966 Cyclone GT's built for 1966 or close to that number. 1967 Cyclone I think was around 10% of that.
Pretty much any top of the food chain car for any model should be pretty big $$ in this condition. Original this nice should be far over that of a restored car for the most part.
Having owned in excess of 200 Muscle cars and mostly Ford/Mercury brands I just set a price for myself to pay and if it's nice enough and in that range I buy them and not worry about much else. It is what I value it at for ME at the time.
I have been watching the Comet's and Fairlanes quite closely for past year but the Cyclone's more so.

Here is a very nice 1966 Cyclone that in 1979 had 97k miles on it. It sold for 50k I think the reserve was around 33k.
It had decent documentation including window sticker. Appeared to be nice car but it had been repainted and lots done to it.
The GT I am looking at is supposed to be original paint and looks like it is. Not sure on the "painted" pinstripe as I remember the stripes to be much thinner but will find out when I inspect it in June. Car I am looking at I think is easily worth more than this black one that sold and a absolute fraction of the cost.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1966-mercury-cyclone-7/

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Currently 96 degrees here. Bit warm for outside work but removing all bolt on stuff from N chassis.
So many parts pieces that need to come off for proper blasting. I did pull engine and transmission late Saturday afternoon early evening

My new phone and external mic have showed up but things keep locking up trying to transfer data.
No pics on this phone.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Few pics during tear down
Plan is to do full restore on both engine and transmission whether they go back in N crew or not. Bit of Magic Wand should have them looking good again. Still have some factory engine blue left so will get base clear.
Few bolts holding brackets to frame need to be cut off. Plasma to rescue. Did I say it’s HOT out?

 

[Boosted1]

Doesn't look hot viewing your pics from my computer, haha.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Doesn't look hot viewing your pics from my computer, haha.

Maybe this will help with visualization

 

[WoodsTruck]

Dang.
My wife has a meeting in Scottsdale in early October and wants me to go along. I'd have to find something to do for 4 days that would keep me out of jail. Heard it is still hot then too.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Dang.
My wife has a meeting in Scottsdale in early October and wants me to go along. I'd have to find something to do for 4 days that would keep me out of jail. Heard it is still hot then too.

Find something to do? Ok, got that handled…
The HEAT always turns off end of September or that 1st week of October. Shop has A/C so hot n cold not a real issue. Hoping to have awnings up in front of shop and side shop by then.
Spent a few hours after dinner and few hours during day today and it was near 100 deg.

ALWAYS something do do around here if ya want to keep busy.

Hoping by then i will have a truck or 2 painted so that could be final assy time. My favorite part of a build.

 

[bulletpruf]

Plan is to do full restore on both engine and transmission whether they go back in N crew or not. Bit of Magic Wand should have them looking good again. Still have some factory engine blue left so will get base clear.

Care to elaborate on this? Are you going to do a complete rebuild on both? If so, curious as to why you would do that if you think you're going to replace them with something modern.

 

[WoodsTruck]

Find something to do? Ok, got that handled…

ALWAYS something do do around here if ya want to keep busy.

Hoping by then i will have a truck or 2 painted so that could be final assy time. My favorite part of a build.

When time gets closer, I may hit you up to see if you still need a hand.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Care to elaborate on this? Are you going to do a complete rebuild on both? If so, curious as to why you would do that if you think you're going to replace them with something modern.

Since the engine has already had a full rebuild I will just do full detail on it. Will separate engine transmission remove bell housing inspect clutch & most likely replace clutch.
With engine on stand will do the Magic Wand treatment which is seal any openings then glass bead engine then apply factory engine blue in base clear. I have replated hardware to install.
If it needs I have NOS water pump, fuel pump already NOS, original carb (Holley) has already been rebuilt. Be a great setup for another truck if not put back in N crew.

Pretty much ALL my plans hinge on RaptorR at this point. I really expected it to have scheduled build day today. No update since 3/29.
I need to keep 100% of $$ avail for R until I know what’s happening with it. Fomoco seems to not care about customer base. Drifting towards the go woke go broke..

7.3 6R140 is preferred combo in N Crew.
Just happens today copart phoenix has 13 new 2022 Penske type trucks up for auction one with 70 miles on it. Can’t bid tho.

Really getting tired (going on 11 months) since R order. I would rather fomoco say today sorry your truck will never get built vs next month then next month and it never happens.

I do have most what is needed to finish up Rainbow Ranger but that too hinges on R.