'78 F350 Dually Project

[RivennHewn]

Found this pok'n around on the inter webs:

http://tow411.yuku.com/topic/124416/Dragged-this-one-home-too#.WD0afHeZNgc

Hope he doesn't mind me posting it here.

 

[-->]

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?

Sandpaper, or the glass method mentioned before. Use paper gaskets and WET THEM before putting it together. I've seen it cure some stubborn exhaust leaks with headers.
Don't go crazy on any one part of it or it won't seat evenly.

 

[RivennHewn]

Knocked a couple items off the list today.

I cleaned up the ex. manifold, and got it re-installed/hooked up to the exhaust.

Sounds much better, (and the neighbors don't stare as much as before)

I also got to install the new cab clearance lights, so now the roof doesn't leak!

I had to grind off the existing inserts, then drill the holes out bigger and install Rivnuts. I set the Rivnuts into wet POR15, and then flooded more around them after they were set. I'm thinking this will seal things up pretty dang well.

And, for the 1st time since I brought it home, I got to run it around.
Went to the auto parts store, then to DMV for new plates/tabs/registration, then out on the freeway just for fun

The to do list just keeps growing.

 

[dwysywd]

riv, any updates?


Sent from my facsimile machine

 

[RivennHewn]

dwysywd,
Not much activity on the truck.

I got started dismantling the front end, but then it got too dang cold and wet outside. Took all the fun out of it.

 

[dwysywd]

bummer! lol
i was looking forward to hearing your updates


Sent from my facsimile machine

 

[RivennHewn]

It's ok, because it gives me time to learn how to not blow holes in sheet metal with this new toy welder

Hopefully, by the time I know how to tig weld the truck will be under cover and underway.

 

[Toolfool]

Merry Christmas !

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks Tool.

My early Christmas present to myself has been a source of frustration so far.

I need to pick up some different size tungsten and filler rod, experiment with amperage and gas cup size, and figure out all the other variables.

Gaining much appreciation for those of you here on GJ that make it look easy.

 

[Toolfool]

Talk about frustration, I have a Lincoln 110 wire feed welder I've never fired up. Don't know where to start. Hope you're getting some time off to play.

 

[SignalZero]

Found this pok'n around on the inter webs:

http://tow411.yuku.com/topic/124416/Dragged-this-one-home-too#.WD0afHeZNgc

Hope he doesn't mind me posting it here.

Reminds me of this truck at Cooter's. He had a Chevy on the show, but I think this Ford is at the Virginia location (I've only been to the Gatlinburg Cooter's).

 

[RivennHewn]

I think I may need one of those Push type bumpers

 

[RivennHewn]

Take your pet truck to work day:

100 12' 2X6

 

[Toolfool]

Earning her keep.

 

[C_F]

That looks like a happy truck right there.

 

[dwysywd]

gotta love a truck that loves to work!


Sent from my quanset hut facsimile machine

 

[RivennHewn]

I don't think the truck even felt the load.

But, I had a smile on my face the whole trip.

 

[RivennHewn]

In line at my project, waiting for a crane pick:

Forklift loaded me up at the lumber yard, crane unloaded me at the job.

Life is so much easier with a flat bed, but I still can't wait to add a dump to it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Riv: i saw your truck a while back when you were asking about removing a steel plate that was in the wrong spot and hadn't seen your thread about the truck. nice find and looks like its already earning it's keep.

i didn't notice a red flag on the back of your lumber or did you already take it off at the job site? how's the gas milage on your old flatbed? any issues still to fix or just put gas in and drive it?

also that is some building and i haven't seen that since you were pouring the cement foundation. WELL DONE and when will it be ready for occupancy?

 

[RivennHewn]

Drives,

They did staple a cheap plastic red flag on the load at the yard, it just got torn off prior to the pic.

The truck is just a project, that needs everything. It runs and drives now, but I'm not sure how long that will last. I'm still on my 1st tank of gas, and thinking I really don't want to know what MPG it going to get.

The building should be ready for the tenant sometime later this spring.

Best,

 

[RivennHewn]

Sometimes the small things can make you happy.

Today I got this 1981 version of the Clymer Ford truck manual, still in the original plastic wrap.

I had this same book back in 1981, when I drove a '79 that was the same truck as the one on the cover. Only mine was a regular bed, and not the step side.

Not sure if I'm going to open the plastic cover, or not.

 

[RivennHewn]

Had to go pull a few old pics out of the album, and scan them.

Bought this one back in '82, with 30K on it, then tore it up.

 

[dwysywd]

Awesome trucks! Love the older body Ford!


Sent from my quanset hut facsimile machine

 

[C_F]

Judging from how much mud the Chevy is wearing, it looks like you were in the lead most of the time that day.

 

[Falcon67]

I would add that if I every pull the manifolds on the 93, I'll go back with tube headers. IMHO easier to service in the future. Ours isn't retired, in fact it's fixing to get an extra 3000lbs to drag around. Looking at a new bumper pull 34' race trailer. Should increase our towed weight to right at 10,000.

 

[RivennHewn]

Judging from how much mud the Chevy is wearing, it looks like you were in the lead most of the time that day.

That's how I remember it, but I'm sure he'd have another version.

Falcon, Post up a pic!

 

[RivennHewn]

Nice, rainy day to drive out to the sticks, and lay in the wet, squishy, muddy grass out in a pasture to get my new bumper off an old car hauler.

Flat tires sinking into the mud made it hard to get to the bolts, but the owner lent me his Snap On cordless impact. That made the job easier!

Still, even laying on my raincoat I was a mess and had to put cardboard on the seat of my truck to keep the mud off.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

That car hauler is cool. Someone needs to rescue and restore it to haul their vintage Trans Am car with...

Tommy

 

[RivennHewn]

That car hauler is cool. Someone needs to rescue and restore it to haul their vintage Trans Am car with...

Tommy

The hauler bed was actually in great shape, and very cool. I liked the tire rack up high, just behind the cab.

They have plans to switch out the bed onto another, newer truck.

 

[Toolfool]

Great bumper find !

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks Tool.

I'm pretty happy with it.

I just missed out on another one last week, but found a really cool vintage equipment yard down in the Fife/Milton area:http://www.countylineparts.com

Not much of a website, but an amazing amount of interesting vintage stuff.

I didn't get much of a chance to browse, but plan on getting back there to explore sometime soon.

 

[Toolfool]

Looks like it could be a fun exploration.
BTW, after a couple of little projects, I might be wanting to look for a bigger brake.

 

[RivennHewn]

Looks like it could be a fun exploration.
BTW, after a couple of little projects, I might be wanting to look for a bigger brake.

You need to get that welder broke in first.

 

[bp460]

Awesome truck and nice score on the bumper! In regards to mileage, my old '78 Bronco with a 400 got 10mpg. Loaded, unloaded, highway, city, aggressive, or conservative... didn't matter, always 10mpg.

-Brad

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks Brad,

I'm not expecting to get anything over 10MPG, but it would be nice not to fall below double digit.

those extra tires don't help your mileage at all.

 

[bp460]

My 400 was bored .030 over, had an aftermarket intake and carb, C6 trans and 3.50 gear ratio. Depending on your setup, you might do a little better than 10.

 

[SignalZero]

That's cool that you were able to find the bumper you wanted so quickly.

I'd never heard of the Clymer manual. Found one on ebay with a Chiltons for a reasonable price, so I bought it. GJ strikes again...
So now I have the 3(Haynes, Chiltons, Clymer) for my '77 F150. I'd like to get the Ford shop manuals, but those are $$$$$.

 

[Toolfool]

You need to get that welder broke in first.

I hear ya. Come on over.

 

[RivennHewn]

BP460,

The 400 has been rebuilt, but I have no idea what was done to it. Still thinking it'll be a gas hog.

SignalZero,

Post up pics of your '77. would love to see it.


Tool,

I'll come drink your beer, but I'd be afraid you'd pick up my bad habits with the welder!

 

[SignalZero]

Here's my '77.

It belonged to my grandfather from ~1980 until he passed away in 2008(so he had it as long as I knew him). Here's the thread where I found it at the local Chevy dealer back in April:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326837

Since I last posted in that thread, my dad told me my grandfather was actually the 3rd owner. The first 2 owners were both co-workers of his at the mines. I want to get a Marti Report to verify the dealership where my dad thinks the first guy purchased it.

It has the 400 also, and all I've had to do to it so far is valve cover gaskets, change out the windshield washer reservoir, get the interior/cargo lights all working, and change the oil.

EDIT: Just saw you posted several times in that thread. O well, always fun talking about old Ford trucks.