So I was informed that I needed to start a build thread for my 78 F150 with a 400. The title comes from the fact that it is a 2WD that wants to play with the "big boy" 4WD trucks.

Why 2WD when there are so many trucks out there? Well, because I paid $450 for the truck and it came with a 400/C6 and only had 70K miles.

That being said, here is what I am planning on doing.

Stage 1: Rebuild Engine

I am taking the original 400 that was choked to death and upgrading just about everything (not that there is much on these engines).

• Getting TMeyer rebuild kit with 9.5 CR pistons
• Lunati Voodoo camshaft.
• Weiand non/egr intake (gotta love Minnesota)
• Either a Holley or Edelbrock 4 barrel carb.
• Sanderson F150 Shorty headers with black ceramic coating
• Flowmaster 40 Series Mufflers with dual exhaust
• Porting of the stock head, done by me
• TMeyer will be doing the engine work which includes boring, cleaning, resurfacing, installed cam bearings, balancing, and oil restricting on main bearing
• Block and heads will be painted Ford Blue. Not sure if I want to do the water pump in blue or black yet since the headers and power steering are black
• 3G alt upgrade

I think I am going to keep the stock fuel pump, oil pump, and water pump, unless anyone feels that the engine will be better served upgrading these.

Also, as a 1.5 Upgrade I will be converting the gears from the stock 2.75 to upper 3 with a detroit locker in the ford 9". Already returned the rear drums to stock form as they had been completely destroyed. I am also thinking I will replace the fuel lines, but that will depend on budget, as they are working at the moment.

And here are some pictures for you all to enjoy.

Here is the truck shortly after I got it. Nice topper eh


Here is a picture of the truck with the entire front end removed


Here is the block on the engine stand. I used a ratcheting cable winch connected to my rafters to get the block out.


This is of the engine upside down after I got the block drained and the oil pan off. It was a biz to get the coolant drained because I stripped one of the drain plugs.


Here I have the rods and pistons out and the main caps off. It was not too bad to do. The mains took my 1/2" breaker bar.


And here are all the pistons and rods laid out on the bench. I can not wait to get them fitted with the TMeyer replacements.


I will keep on updating as I get more done. Hopefully will get the block to the shop next week. Then I will start porting the heads. Once the block is done I will bring the ported heads back and have them resurfaced and bring it all home.

~Chad

 

And here is a link to the flickr photo album to get the larger images

Flickr: chad.deraps' Photostream

 

Genuine Ford camper shell, offered by Ford as a dealer installed accessory, introduced in 1973.

These were expensive so not many were sold. Desireable today, because few remain.

The give-away that it's 'genny' is the shape of the shell, the round emblems on the sides are compasses.

 

Yep, that is it. Too bad it was repainted white. I am not sure what the original color was.

 

The shells came white, many were tu-toned by dealers. If it's original to the truck, and if tu-toned, forward from the scallop line in front of the side windows that runs over the top would have been painted the same color as the truck.

The rest would have been white.

 

From what I've seen, those camper tops are sturdy & well built, much better than the majority of toppers. I'd be hard pressed to get rid of it, but that's just me.

 

Two versions were available: With or without sliding side windows.

 

my truck had one of those but a long time ago when the parking break failed and it rolled down a hill into a tree and the camper disinigrated they said it was get rid of the topper or the truck is totalled.. thank u dad for getting rid of it haha i love this truk

 

the truck was puke green and the topper was white and it had the sliding windows i can try to scan the picture onto my computer if anyone is interested

 

sure, scan it, I'd love to see it. Nice sounding build thread too Chad, I like your truck, reminds me of an f250 a guy I knew had, 400/auto, dark blue though. I always liked that truck.

 

what it looked like then (red mgb in the backround that my dad restored that is sittin in our garage currentally)

<a href="http://s1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/Alex_Neils/My%20truck/?action=view&amp;current=001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/Alex_Neils/My%20truck/001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

Mine had that same shell on it when I purchased the truck. Still have it now but not on the truck.

 

heres what it looked like when i got it

<a href="http://s1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/Alex_Neils/My%20truck/?action=view&amp;current=38086_142375219122809_100 000509965733_373428_148944_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/Alex_Neils/My%20truck/38086_142375219122809_100000509965733_373428_14894 4_n.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

and now currentally

<a href="http://s1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/Alex_Neils/My%20truck/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_20110408_182909.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/Alex_Neils/My%20truck/IMG_20110408_182909.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

Something to consider that you or your dad may not be aware of:

In CA, if a truck has a permenent camper shell, it does not have to have expensive to register commercial plates.