Have a look at this 54 on craigslist. Look at the picture of the motor. What is the silver pipe running across the top? I assume it is linking the exhaust manifold but I've never seen this before. Is it normal? I am just learning about these motors so I figured I'd ask the pros. Here's the link:

54 F-100 project

Also, the owner thinks the biggest issue with the vehicle is the hood. Here are some pictures he sent me of the hood problem.

 

you are correct...its called a crossover pipe.

 

There you go, Pittsburgh is not to far from WV. It may be worth a look. I don't know if it is worth $8000 without seeing it and driving it. Let us know.

 

Yeah I am going to take a drive and look at this one. It's about a three hour drive. The owner says his dad built this one and he replaced the cab corners and some other patch panels then had it media blasted, primed it and painted it himself. Says he always wished his old man had actually prepped the body and put a good paint job on it. It may be fairly rust free. Still waiting on more pictures. I agree, I don't think I'd give his asking price but he may come off some. I am concerned about the hood though. Does it look fixable without too much involved?

 

If I were going to look at that truck, the hood would be a non issue. I would be more concern about the frame crack and the repair. Notice the running board support shows some signs of heavy rust pitting. What condition is the rest of the frame? Look for rust lower side of door and under floor mat. Note some modifications to the truck, fan shroud, air cleaner, steering wheel and I am sure there are more. I suspect the emergency brake is inop. Check out how it drives. Get it warm, listen for abnormal noises from the area of the valve covers. These engines are prone to oil starvation at the rockers. Good luck with it. Hope it is what you want.

 

The frame crack and repair is one of the pictures I'm waiting on. I'm not taking the trip if the other pictures reveal other issues. He does have the stock steering wheel and some other extra parts.

 

It always amazes me that people can do sub-standard hackery that needs to be totally redone from the ground up, and still ask Barrett-Jackson money for their reject projects. It looks like $2500 from my house, and that's being generous, imho.

 

Not an $8000.00 truck , i might go $3000.00 max. if my arm was being twisted . ____JIM

 

The frame crack and repair are critical, but if that was done properly, I don't see how you can say it's only a $2500 truck.
What is so bad about it to drop the price that low?

 

Wow, this one's that bad too? I mean I know it's got a shade tree paint job but if the patch panels are done plus the wiring harness and brakes I would think would put it over $2500. I'm going to need some feedback on the frame repair when I get the pictures.

 

Here's a couple more pictures I just got. Looks like the front cab corner wasn't done just right to me.

 

Yes more pic's are needed. The price is to high.
But if it is solid than I would drive her and work on
it at the same time. Than ya would know more
of what it needs first.

 

It's an old, poorly done so-called resto job that's coming apart at all the seams. The bottom of the cowl is a perfect example. I'll guarantee the closer you look, the more you'll find. Set aside all the "pretty" of it and ask yourself if you were looking at an unrestored truck with all the flaws you see here exposed, what would you pay? That's the true value, no matter how well they tried to dress it up. It really needs to be stripped down to bare metal and brought back up right, just like an original pasture find. That's my 2c.

 

This one may have potential if the price is negotiable enough.

1954 Ford F-100

Owner has a overdrive transmission to go with it as well. Says the truck runs but could use a tune up, steering is a little loose and the brakes need gone over.

 

I hate to say it but that one is too high priced for what you have. It is really hogged up. They cut a hole in the dash for the radio. It has a 56 steering wheel. It has some goofy speedo. Is it from a dry climate?

On the other hand, it hasn't been prettied up with a quickie paint job. You see what you get.