So this fall I am headed to Unity college in Unity, Maine, big surprise. Someday I will be a Wildlfe Biologist, with a job, hopefully. So I was wondering if anyone might share some helpful hints on the weather secret hunting and fishing spots, good places to see, things to do, secret junkyards of heaven where they have all the parts. By the way I am driving my nearly 25 year old (sept. 1978) 1979 F150 4x2 351M C6 Ranger XLT, 2450 Miles from my front door, out in the wild wild west, to College. MMMMM ford trucks, Built to last a lifetime, which is now 78 years.

 

email me, rdminbinghamme(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

Yes, I have a rusty ( everything from Maine is rusty ) 82 F150 endless project. My wife is begining to get jealous of the truck. As far as secret junk yards, my favorite is Allen Range road Auto Parts in Freeport. Haven't been there for a while, but last time I was there it was a you take it off, you pay less. Don't know if they still operate this way, but worth a check. Wildlife biologist, interesting, I went to UMO to be a FIsheries Biologist, now I'm a Maintenance Manager in a power plant. Go figure. Actually the connection is more logical than one would think. Gearhead, BIG powerfull equipment ( 185000 HP Gas Turbines ) oh yeah baby, ( TIM ALLEN Grunt) More power!

 

Unity is in a nice area with lots of farms and not far from the coast. I'm about 30 miles east of Unity.

Most of the junk yards around here don't save anything older than mid-late 80's because the older trucks usually don't cast much of a shadow after 20 years or so of Maine winters.

But there is a yard named Hy-Way Service in Milford (just north of Bangor) who has quite a few older Ford pick ups. Chambers Parts Distributors, located in Bangor, sells repro sheet metal and usually have late 70's panels in stock. Also there is a guy in Livermore who specializes in 73-79 Ford pickups and Broncos. He has everything and knows everything about these old twucks. His advertisement is usually in Unclehenrys (the swap it-sell it bible for the whole of Maine). Email me for the number if your interested.

You'll like Maine where you can't drive 5 miles without running into a lake or pond. You can catch bass (introduced illegally to state waters), togue or land-locked salmon in many of Maine's lakes and ponds. Check out the northern Maine woods and Baxter State Park where the expansive woods may remind you of home. Good luck on your trip east.
John

 

Yeah, I hate bass. They have been introduced illegaly here too, we call them bucket biologists.

 

When I lived in Augusta, there was a junkyard in Vassalboro called Rra's Used Auto Parts, or something like that. They had a $30 all you can carry day at least once a year. I have run into people here in CT who ordered parts from that place.

 

So the countdown is 5 days until I leave for maine. I can't wait. I have never been to the Northeast.

 

Well I am here. I spotted a decent junk yard outside of Unity. I don't remember the name right off hand. I spotted a decent looking 77. I really just need the 351M in it. They aren't the most popular ford motor, so I hope I can score a good deal. Maine is a pretty cool place. Lots of trees. Friendly people.

 

How was the ride? I may have a great running '78 351M to get rid of......deciding if I want to go 300-6 or not. Besides, these truck are usually so badly rusted around here that there is no shortage of $500 F150s with 100K 351/400M engines in them.
John

 

Well I think it has to do with one of the valve springs being worn out. My dad said it required a sturdy work bench and some good tools. I don't have that kind of money or operation, so I was just gonna grab both heads and slap them on. Provided they are not warped. My motor runs great otherwise, no leaking oil, not burning oil, 12 MPG, totally stock. In the near future it will be requiring a total rebuild. I want to keep it. It runs great in the winter too, always starts on the first try int he morning, can't say the same for later in the day but thats not too bad. The truck is still in great shape, has a little t-n-t rust over the wheel wells but no where else.

I would really like to find a 400. All I need is the crank and pistons, but with no where to work on it, I need the whole motor. I will post an ad in the classifieds, but if anyone here hears about one then let me know please. Must be in Maine or New Hampshire only. TIA.