'78 F350 Dually Project

[RivennHewn]

I picked this up a couple weeks ago. I gave next to nothing for it, and I was able to drive it home.

The guy said it runs, drives and stops. He wasn't lying, although it doesn't do any of them very well.

It's a project that needs just about everything you can imagine a 39 year old work truck would need.

As any of you that followed my son's MR2 thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249106

You'll remember that I'm not a mechanic. But I had such a great time working on the MR2, I decided I needed my own project.

This won't be a fast moving thread.

I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions, and hoping to get some good input from those of you familiar with these old Fords.

Wish me luck, or tell me I picked a dog. Either way, I welcome your comments, advice and guidance.

 

[danski0224]

It definitely needs a 429 or a 460

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

Sweet project!

For sure upgrade to disc brakes. You'll be glad you did.

 

[mcmtech]

Nice truck! I learned to drive on a 1979 super cab. Always loved that generation Ford truck.

 

[36truck]

My favorite year Ford truck. I worked on them right out of high school. Very tough trucks & easy to work on. Have fun with your project.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Nice rig, I love the 70's Ford trucks. If it has the original engine in it, do it a favor and run diesel oil or a high ZDDP oil over that flat tappet cam. JMO

 

[RivennHewn]

Thank you all.

Late 70's Fords are what I grew up driving. I've had several, but never really turned a wrench on any of them as they were new or low mile units.


Today, Black Friday meant I got to get my hands black.

Job one is to replace the exhaust manifold gasket. I successfully removed it this afternoon.

It seems a little rough on the mating surfaces.

Any recommendations on prepping them for the new gasket install?

 

[blazemaster83]

I would probably just go buy a new manifold, they are pretty cheap.

 

[LXCam]

Ya if you don't already own one, find somebody with a 6 x 48" belt sander and get it trued up. You'll never be able to get it flat enough to seal decently without a nice flat platen that is long enough to catch at least three of the runners at once.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Nice rig, I love the 70's Ford trucks. If it has the original engine in it, do it a favor and run diesel oil or a high ZDDP oil over that flat tappet cam. JMO

From what I've been told they've cut the zddp in diesel oil to almost nothing also.
I always dump a big bottle of stp in when changing oil on flat tapped motors.

 

[lukedwag]

If those are oem they look in great shape. I would run them to the machinist for a quick surface grind or sander as mentioned.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Nice truck.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

From what I've been told they've cut the zddp in diesel oil to almost nothing also.
I always dump a big bottle of stp in when changing oil on flat tapped motors.

Wow, them EPA folks are all over our oils ain't they ? I think Bobstheoilguy has a list somewhere on the site of the oils now and their zddp content...

I have put Risolene ZDDP additive in my 4.0 Jeep motor just for giggles. I keep forgetting to at every oil change though, so I am probably just wasting my time and money bothering.

 

[Westozfixer]

Nice truck, Ive got a 75 F350 a bit longer than yours, what engine does it have?

 

[555]

Great truck!

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice truck, Ive got a 75 F350 a bit longer than yours, what engine does it have?

400, with a 9' bed.

I didn't want a 12' bed.
It took a while to find a short bed version that wasn't priced crazy high.

Post up a pic of your truck!


ZMax, 555,
Maybe someday............
But thanks

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks for pointing out the whole ZDDP issue. I was unaware.

Thinking I'll run the manifold by a machine shop tomorrow and have them check it out. I'd rather get it done right the 1st time.

The list of priorities:

The cab leaks thru the clearance lights ontop the cab.
The door seals are just about shot.
Floor pans are in need of attention.
Parts have been ordered and received, just need the time.

After the exhaust manifold gasket, I need to adjust the clutch pedal. The clutch works, but is really awkward.

Then it will be onto the passenger quarter panel and front bumper(not pictured yet)

The interior will require new rubber mat, seat recovered, and a head liner.
More pics to come.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Any recommendations on prepping them for the new gasket install?

Same way you resurface a head at home !

Get a piece of glass about 2' x 3'. Get one as thick as possible. Reclaimed plate glass is perfect.

Place it on a well supported table. Use full sized sheets of sandpaper and glue them to the glass. Place the face of the sandpaper/glass and move in a circular or figure eight motion. Start withe 120 and work your way up to finer grades.

And YES, this does work for a cylinder head.

 

[Westozfixer]

Mine

 

[Stuart in MN]

I cleaned up the exhaust manifold on a '65 F250 I used to own with a regular hand held belt sander. I tried hard to make sure all ports were sanded evenly, and it worked - put it back together with a new gasket and it was sealed up nice.

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice.

I like the older cab clearance lights. I wanted to go with some that were more like yours, but had to go with direct replacement due to the mounting holes.

Are those actual wheels, or just covers? I just have the chrome covers on the painted wheels.

 

[Westozfixer]

They are the wheels, 19.5 Eagle alloys on the original stud pattern.

 

[C_F]

Nice find, it looks like it's in decent shape.

I've got a '76 F250 camper special, that's been a work in progress. As others have said, these trucks are really easy to work on, and are great to learn on too.

Here's mine. I still need to fix the rear wheel well rust & lower cab corner rust...

One of these days, I'd like to put a 4x4 front end under it & make it look like this!

 

[VocaTexas]

Looks like you got a solid one to work with. Congrats!

Here's a pic of my daily driver- '76 F-250 Crew Cab:



If you need help or have questions the FTE forum is the best place for our old rigs:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/

Have fun with it and good luck!

 

[RivennHewn]

C F/Voca,

Good looking old rides.

It's kinda funny, I can see 100 new trucks that won't catch my eye, but an old truck will every time.

 

[shedfullatools]

It's kinda funny, I can see 100 new trucks that won't catch my eye, but an old truck will every time.

That is the truth right there

 

[Westozfixer]

I'd like a new truck as well but a 250/ram/chev starts at $150K out here.

 

[dwysywd]

subscribed!

as for parts, LMC http://www.lmctruck.com/

as for manifold, belt sander works fine. you just need the **** off, while off, paint it with high heat header paint.

order a bunch of stuff from autozone.com today and get 20% off plus $20 gift card! ends 11/27
anyone can use this




Sent from my facsimile machine

 

[RivennHewn]

dwysywd,

I've already received my 1st order from LMC.

Floor pans
Door seals
Door pins/bushings
Door lock cylinders/keys.

Putting together list no. 2 already.

 

[Falcon67]

That 400 will work unless you plan to really tow anything heavy - 8000lbs+ range. Then it'll be a bit of a dog. Surprised the manifold are in good shape but have the magged for cracks anyway. Starting in 75 Ford really restricted the exhaust on the 400s (351C 2V type head) by running water around the exhaust valve guide. The exhaust gets REAL hot and exhaust seat cracking is typical. The 460s in the 90 model trucks also run hot exhaust and bust manifolds and/or studs. Got one here LOL.

75 up 400 head exhaust:

 

[James E]

A nice squishy copper manifold gasket will seal that up well, too.

I like the Fel-Pro gaskets with the alloy insert around the ports. Kind of a PITA to install if you don't have clearance, but they'll conform to rough surfaces well, too.

If you're doing the whole exhaust system, I'd just chuck the cast iron manifolds and go with cheap headers, but that's just me.

 

[sublime68charger]

Love the Old ford trucks.

I have a 78 F 150 myself.

good luck with the restore.

will be following along!

 

[Glenn M.]

Subscribed!
Love those trucks.
Mine's only a F-150, but it does great with a 466. Still running the "bullet-proof" 3 speed that came with the original 351M. The bell housings are the same for the 351/400 - 429/460s.
Congrats on your find!

 

[Jeepfisher]

I am loving seeing the Old Fords. Here's my 79 F250 camper edition. We call it Earl. Not a DD but take him out often.

 

[C_F]

Looking good, guys!
Here's a pair that I wish I never sold. The Highboy had a 460 & C6 auto, and the Bronco a 400 & 4-speed. The Bronco didn't have a speck of rust on it & was in amazing shape.

 

[RivennHewn]

All these good looking old rides are making me a little jealous.
Also motivated to get mine cleaned up and running.
Thanks for posting them up!

 

[diggersrule]

Subscribe, what a great looking project

 

[theoldwizard1]

400, with a 9' bed.

The 400 is a real crappy engine. Not a lot of power and not great fuel economy.

Any of the other Ford Big Blocks would be better. Hopefully it has a C6 transmission. They actually put the C4 behind the 400 in some cars.

You might even be able to find a 460 with an AOD for reasonable price.

 

[VocaTexas]

The 400 is a torque monster IF a few changes are made. First thing, replace the intake and put a 4 barrel on it. If you have the money, an 'RV' cam and headers will really wake it up.

Dennis Carpenter Ford Parts is one of the best places to get parts you can't buy at the local parts store. Carpenter bought all the old Ford dies and molds years ago so the parts they sell aren't repops, they are technically genuine Ford parts. LMC often repackages DC parts and resells them. You DON'T want to buy window seals, etc. from LMC. DC or Jeff's Bronco Graveyard are much better quality.

Great to see more Dentside owners here. I'm hoping to start on my next restoration this winter/next spring. 1978 F-350 Camper Special with the 140 inch wheelbase and the bedside spare tire door.

 

[RivennHewn]

Subscribe, what a great looking project

Thank you.

Wizard/Voca
The 400 isn't my favorite, but I'll get what I can out of it before it gives up.
I don't pull much besides a little boat, and my DD can handle that.

This truck has probably seen it's last hard days work. It will be a delivery vehicle for my furniture builds. See:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228073