Yesterday was the first time my truck has seen the road under its own power for over fourteen years I am told over the past 8 months of fiddling when time was available I finally managed to finish up to a road worthy state after the 2 PO attempts to "hotrod" it.
Still have to install the new door seals and put in a radio but I probably wouldn't have had the radio on any way as the "new" 302 works and sounds quite nice with the headers and the magnaflo exhaust
After the leak run, ring seating in drive I managed to put 18.4 kms on it before I decided i should bring it home to check everything for tightness. Only real problem I found, so far, which I should have noticed before , was one nut on the steering linkage was an old lug nut as opposed to a castelated split pinned nut.........at least it was on finger tight, painted black to match and the last 4-5 threads were holding it quite nicely ........the rides ended for the day and I had a few frosty beverages to calm my nerves. Been out today checking every nut and bolt on the truck as some I did not install and now I am nervous
Just had to tell everyone about another one "returning to the road."

 

Congratulations!!!!!

14 years is a long wait. Now you gotta drive the wheels off it!

 

Good stuff Vaughn, another 53 hits the road in British Columbia.

 

Thanks guys. I put some pics after the maiden voyage into my gallery if you are interested.
I do plan to drive the wheels off it, which sort of almost happened on that first trip

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=23288

 

Thanks for more pics, keep them coming.
Love your ride, still trying to get my 53 M100 together ready for it`s first cruise.
Sorry, no pics of that one in my gallery yet.....

 

Well done! If we keep this rate up; we'll have 'em ALL rolling under their own steam before you know it.

Old Horse sends his regards!

 

Sparky: What engine mount did you use? Do you have MII crossmember?? I am ready to install my 302 for mock up and I ordered one that looks like it is going to land on the crossmember. Help if possible
Max E

 

Sorry, Volare style front clip, homemade engine perches welded to frame, mounts were on the engine when I got the truck...... can't remember what the tranny crossmember came from

 

That's what we like to hear. One more rides the asphalt. Good going. Yup,. pics are good, keep um coming. Jon

 

Awesome!!.. congrats to you getting on the road again after that long must feel great

 

Congrats! That's a really clean looking truck, the body and paint look really clean! Smart to buy one that way, you've skipped a lot of the grief!

 

Thanks the body is in great shape, only some surface rust and one hole I found in the left front cab corner....... heck it had a new frame, box, rear fenders and running boards when I got it.
The paint looks good from far but is far from good I used some tremclad yellow to hide the red oxide primer, color is close to the yellow that was on it.
I looked along time to find "the one"..... I hate bodywork, mechanical/electrical no problems.

 

Can't beat that first drive, except by all the others to come. I'm gettin' about 50 smiles to the gallon with mine. I notice that your co-pilot has the same facial expression my wife did after her first ride. Cograts, Joe.

 

Congrads on getting the truck going again. I can't wait until I put the bed on mine tomorrow. Big car & truck show in my town on Saturday. Will draw in over 100K people for the one day event!

 

Very nice. I'd drive her as mutch as I could. Like every day. Make little mods here and there to personalize it to your taste. what was the original color?