The "Cryptic Ranger" Saga- 76 F250 4x4 Camper Special
#47
i know what you mean, i live in new york. traveled 8 hours one way to lower central pa to pick up a nearly rust free cab and front clip. i sat nearly because the only rust issues it had were some pin holes in the passenger side floor and rust right above the passenger side door on the underside of cab ( that part where if you open the door and look up. )
#48
#49
Cough!...this thread is dusty
Today was a good day, I am finally able to begin working on the truck again after about a year of ownership. I was a little busy last year planing my wedding and remodeling my house after my renters moved out.
Truck was never fully neglected...I managed to squeeze some work in here and there.
New Master Cylinder and Brake Booster
Transfer Case Pulled, part time kit installed, and resealed
New U Joints
Carb Rebuilt
New Plugs
Timing Set...but it seems to be running rich
After sitting the entire winter I got in the truck today and it fired up. I was able to drive it even though most of the fluid managed to leak out of the transmission over the winter. It is still in a bad way...its had a hard life for sure, but it still runs!
I was able to get it into its new home and serious work will begin soon.
Plans are simple: Repair everything that is broke or breaking
Yeah its that bad
Here is my short to do list:
Fix rear brakes - No fluid is getting to them
Rebuild Power Steering System - Bendix style
Compression Check
Seal top end of motor
Seal Transmission
Install Headers
Complete tune up - all fluids and new thermostat
Remove Redneck lift kit
New Tires
Install a new wire harness
Remove AC/Heat Unit and replace with modern kit from vintage air
I will start tearing into her more later this week!
Truck was never fully neglected...I managed to squeeze some work in here and there.
New Master Cylinder and Brake Booster
Transfer Case Pulled, part time kit installed, and resealed
New U Joints
Carb Rebuilt
New Plugs
Timing Set...but it seems to be running rich
After sitting the entire winter I got in the truck today and it fired up. I was able to drive it even though most of the fluid managed to leak out of the transmission over the winter. It is still in a bad way...its had a hard life for sure, but it still runs!
I was able to get it into its new home and serious work will begin soon.
Plans are simple: Repair everything that is broke or breaking
Yeah its that bad
Here is my short to do list:
Fix rear brakes - No fluid is getting to them
Rebuild Power Steering System - Bendix style
Compression Check
Seal top end of motor
Seal Transmission
Install Headers
Complete tune up - all fluids and new thermostat
Remove Redneck lift kit
New Tires
Install a new wire harness
Remove AC/Heat Unit and replace with modern kit from vintage air
I will start tearing into her more later this week!
#51
Some progress
So I was back at it for about 2 hours today after work. Feels good to get some things done. Working on this truck is awesome...so easy compared to modern vehicles.
Ready to tear into
This make me sad...cant wait to take the grinder to it
One fuse is all you need!
looks like a .22 went through my fan shroud
yeah...crap
This is leaking worse than a BP oil platform
Grill is pulled...left over AC components are next.
Another fun wiring surprise!
Ready to tear into
This make me sad...cant wait to take the grinder to it
One fuse is all you need!
looks like a .22 went through my fan shroud
yeah...crap
This is leaking worse than a BP oil platform
Grill is pulled...left over AC components are next.
Another fun wiring surprise!
#52
The hole is drilled to stop the crack from traveling any closer to the radiator
#54
more progress
Got a little more work done:
Grille pulled
Condenser removed it was damaged and i couldn't save it.
seat is out of the way
found these nice treasures in and underneath the seat
Bonus plastic container complete with mold was tucked away under the seat cover
started to remove smog equipment and plug the holes
here is yet another example of why this i think I'm going to have to install a new harness
Grille pulled
Condenser removed it was damaged and i couldn't save it.
seat is out of the way
found these nice treasures in and underneath the seat
Bonus plastic container complete with mold was tucked away under the seat cover
started to remove smog equipment and plug the holes
here is yet another example of why this i think I'm going to have to install a new harness
#55
#56
Weekend Update
I spent some time thinking about what I really wanted to do with the truck since I found the nearly dead cylinder.
Because the history and condition of the motor is completely unknown to me I decided I am going to replace the motor. Now the question is do I rebuild the one I have, or buy a remanufactured 390?
It looks to me like the motor in the truck has been rebuild at least one time already, for that reason alone I am leaning towards purchasing a remanufactured engine.
Can anyone recommend a good place to by a 390?
Right now the best place if found is:https://www.mabbcomotors.com/index.htm
So here is some progress from this weekend.
Fan shroud was completely brittle. I just tugged on it a little and it broke into three parts. Shame really.
Radiator drained and pulled.
Core support removed and engine is almost ready to come out.
Greasy.
General engine bay chaos
Is that an electronic fuel pump near the brake booster? Fuel lines are running to it, but it looks like the engine has a mechanical fuel pump as well. Can anyone explain this to me?
Because the history and condition of the motor is completely unknown to me I decided I am going to replace the motor. Now the question is do I rebuild the one I have, or buy a remanufactured 390?
It looks to me like the motor in the truck has been rebuild at least one time already, for that reason alone I am leaning towards purchasing a remanufactured engine.
Can anyone recommend a good place to by a 390?
Right now the best place if found is:https://www.mabbcomotors.com/index.htm
So here is some progress from this weekend.
Fan shroud was completely brittle. I just tugged on it a little and it broke into three parts. Shame really.
Radiator drained and pulled.
Core support removed and engine is almost ready to come out.
Greasy.
General engine bay chaos
Is that an electronic fuel pump near the brake booster? Fuel lines are running to it, but it looks like the engine has a mechanical fuel pump as well. Can anyone explain this to me?
#58
Right now I'm shooting for something in between I think.
I want to keep and fix as many "original" (parts that were on the truck when I got it) parts as possible. Only replacing when it makes sense for performance or function.
As for the appearance I want to keep it just how it is! Is it rust or is it patina?..you be the judge.
#59
Today was a good day.
Its raining outside so that means I have an excuse not to do yard work this weekend.
So the engine came out today
It came out real easy...of the 6 bolts that hold the bell housing to the engine only three were installed. I need to be sure and thank the PO for all the time he or she saved me this afternoon.
Anyhow PICS!
Removing the fender was a good thing
This style pry bar is great when separating a engine and trans.
I can't wait to start cleaning this engine bay up
No way is oil coming out of this hole...ever!
Next step is to start stripping it down
So the engine came out today
It came out real easy...of the 6 bolts that hold the bell housing to the engine only three were installed. I need to be sure and thank the PO for all the time he or she saved me this afternoon.
Anyhow PICS!
Removing the fender was a good thing
This style pry bar is great when separating a engine and trans.
I can't wait to start cleaning this engine bay up
No way is oil coming out of this hole...ever!
Next step is to start stripping it down
#60
Tearing into the Engine
So I made a good deal of progress with my build this week. I also decided to go ahead and get the parts to convert my engine over to a 390.
Here is my basic build: Goal = Mild performance increase, favoring low rpm torque
390 conversion
Lunati Voodoo 701 Cam
Performer Intake
Mild port and polish
Headers
Autolite or Holly Carb
Ignition Upgrade - TBD
On to the pictures:
First the bad
I was moving my Engine and it just went over like a lead balloon
The clip let go causing the wheel to fall off and...well luckily it didn't fall on me
Waterpump Pully and fan mount took most of the fall
Also noticed that the top of my bell housing has a crack in it...going to see if I can get this repaired at a weld shop.
And now progress:
Engine cleaned up really nice...starting to think this motor doesn't have a lot of hours on it.
What? Why are there three washers on this rocker arm bolt?
Gaskets look pretty new
Cyl walls look pretty good all around
the pistons look almost new
So the reason I pulled the motor in the first place was because I had extremely low compression on the number 1 cylinder.
Check this out
The #1 connecting rod is completely discolored...
What would cause this to happen?
Ive never seen this before but perhaps some FE experts know what may cause this...
Also yesterday I picked up some parts I needed for my build.
390 Rods n Pistons, Freshly machined 390 crank, Performer 390 Intake...and...
another 360 core! All for $350.
So next step is to get in touch with the machine shop...stay tuned.
Here is my basic build: Goal = Mild performance increase, favoring low rpm torque
390 conversion
Lunati Voodoo 701 Cam
Performer Intake
Mild port and polish
Headers
Autolite or Holly Carb
Ignition Upgrade - TBD
On to the pictures:
First the bad
I was moving my Engine and it just went over like a lead balloon
The clip let go causing the wheel to fall off and...well luckily it didn't fall on me
Waterpump Pully and fan mount took most of the fall
Also noticed that the top of my bell housing has a crack in it...going to see if I can get this repaired at a weld shop.
And now progress:
Engine cleaned up really nice...starting to think this motor doesn't have a lot of hours on it.
What? Why are there three washers on this rocker arm bolt?
Gaskets look pretty new
Cyl walls look pretty good all around
the pistons look almost new
So the reason I pulled the motor in the first place was because I had extremely low compression on the number 1 cylinder.
Check this out
The #1 connecting rod is completely discolored...
What would cause this to happen?
Ive never seen this before but perhaps some FE experts know what may cause this...
Also yesterday I picked up some parts I needed for my build.
390 Rods n Pistons, Freshly machined 390 crank, Performer 390 Intake...and...
another 360 core! All for $350.
So next step is to get in touch with the machine shop...stay tuned.