Hi everyone...newbie to ford here... this is the scoop i am going to look at a 1972 f250 4x4 it looks like its in almost mint condition...so i stoped by and knocked the door and talked to him about it. He said it has a 390 4x4 standard trans body lift with wheels and tires and dual exaust but the problem is that when you go to start it it back fires and will not start. He is asking $1,000.00 for it. Does anyone know what might be wrong with it or how much it might cost to get it fixed.. Like i said the truck is in exelent shape. do you think this is a good deal.. He said he bought it from his brother about a year ago for $2,500.00

 

sounds like it might be out of time for some reason.i would buy it for that w/o engine

 

The timing has probably jumped a tooth or it is severly out of time.

 

Give him a grand and grab the title. I agree about it sounding like it's out of time. Could be as simple as the distributor clamp bolt coming loose, I've had it happen.
Does it turn over hard or easy?

Patrick

 

I agree if the truck is fairly rust free and straight it is a very good deal. Lot easier to do engine work than to fight a rusty beat body, and a lot more fun. Hard to find anything even close to decent for a grand.

 

Guys, It aint what it's worth, it's what someone will give ya for it. That is a huge difference.

I agree that it like a timing issue, but before I forked over a grand I would have to hear it run. IMHO

John

 

I gladly paid $1,200 for my rust free '68 F250 Camper Special. The engine had a rear main seal oil leak and poor oil pressure when hot, but it was still a good deal to me.

Kevin

 

Check it over good especially the cab corners/floors and if it is fairly rust and dent free and mostly complete Buy it Now! Also check real well under neath for oil leaks in the trany/diffs/transfer case. It is a desirable truck and should be worth more than the grand just for the decent body alone. If the body is good remember how little body repair you get for a gand. Around here if it still looks like some kind of a truck you wouldn`t come close to buying it for any where near that price. Most of the trucks in that year/price range are not very good and the better ones are priced too high to buy and fix up. Sorry for the long speech but if it`s in decent shape DON`T LET GET AWAY!

 

it's not worth that, as a matter of fact i think that person needs someone to tell him that ! so why dont you give me the address of where it is at, and i will go over there personaly and have a talk with them. i just need to stop at the bank and cash this big fat tax return first. not that i will need to have 1000 dollars on me but i just would happen to have that on me, not that i intend to buy anything that cost that,but then i will go over there. lol come on just tell me ! TELL ME !!!!!

 

Here in Colorado...I bought my 67 F-250 4x4 for $3500.......It did run, poorly....but backfired as well, had two bent driveshafts, couldn't actually get it engaged in 4WD (Hole in floor had not been cut back far enough) and needed attention to the brakes and bearings all around, not to mention the condition of the tires and wheels! I would never had paid that much for a 4x2....unless it was in much better condition, but for a 4x4, it was a steal. One thing about these old trucks (at least where I live) is that the 4x4's almost never lose value....The truck you describe would easily sell for $2000-$3000 out here not running, just for the value of the assembled drivetrain and body.

Personally. I've never bought a car that was running perfectly...(except fot a 1990 Toyota P/U......but it had a dented side!).....I always look for the great overall vehicle where someone has tried to "tune it" or "modify it" themselves and given up...they're almost always nearly complete and someone just gives up and sells it for a song. Getting your new bucket in shape is one of the greatest bonding exercises you'll ever do with a vehicle and will help you appreciate and value it for many years to come.

 

yep i am like that with my 70 f250. i bought it for 500 and have rebuilt the 360 into a 390, new trans and gauges, new rims and tires. and am slowly getting to everything else. my wife gives me hell sometimes when i spend too much for something, but it is worth it to me and hopefully my kid who gets the truck when he turns 16

 

It could be the 10 cent roll pin on the end of the dist shaft holding on the gear I've seen them split and the gear rotates on the shaft throwing out of time. Just a thought. I did a timing gear and chain set for that reason one time. it was a 250 dollar and all day Sat lesson.

 

thanks everyone for their help and input... i called the guy to let him know that iwas coming back to take another look and he said it was sold already he got $850.00 for it . So my quest will continue.. Thanks again everyone!!!!

 

Sorry to find that out, was really hoping that you would get it. Maybe that next one you find will be even better, this one sounded great though. Not many real nice/good ones around any more. Keep looking, we`re all pulling for you on this one, good luck.