old truck
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: USA
old truck
I am faced with a situation. I can get my hands on a 1978 f-100 pickup that has a 300 six in it, 3 speed on the tree, no power steering, no power anything for that matter, and it has around 80,000 miles on it. Has been sitting for a while, only used on occasion for that load of bricks or whatever that needed hauling. Should I try and get it, or should I let it be? The body appears to be in good condition, but the engine sounds a little rough. Almost like diesel to be honest. When you rev it up a little a let off the gas, you can hear a little bit of poping from the exhaust. Not sure what that is. Something just doesn't sound quite right with it. Let me know what all you guys think please? Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2001
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old truck
How much? Check the steering and suspension components. A lot of people with older trucks spend lots of effort trying to chase steering problems. If no work has been done, expect to do some. Time hardens things like spring eye bushings and coil springs tend to sag after 20+ years, brake cylinders like to stick - next thing you know the drums may be out of "turns". A lot depends on what you want the truck for. The older trucks are easy to work on - just consider the extra costs to get it where you might like it to be...on top of the engine woes. Parts are cheap, time isn't. Like I asked, how much does he want? What's a fair price in your neck of the woods? How bad do you want / need it? Lastly, it can be VERY difficult to track down missing emission components - what testing might it need, would it pass?
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: palmer, washington
old truck
great points tetraruby, Truker is this a 78' or 68' , i didn't know they were still makin f100 in 78' but yeah it really depends on what you can get it for and what your plans are for it. any rough, no running, falling apart at the seams ford beats a good runnin chev any day, hey they even look cool sittin in the yard. what are your plans for this rig. check the oil, does it look like it hasn't been changed for a while all black and thick or clean that can cause all kinds of sound, maybe needs timing or timing gears, minor issue depending onwhat your getting it for, i have gotten more good deals on rigs because they had minor problems and still enjoy them driving them , although the mrs. wood like her garden space, but a man has to park his rigs somewhere, right.
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From: USA
old truck
I could get the truck for anywhere from $0 to $1000 at the most. It is my late grandpa's truck, and all I have to do is talk my grandma into it. The oil hasn't been changed in a while, and that could be the reason for the rough engine. All I really want it for is a good truck for now, and eventually a hotrod type truck when I get enough money to really pour some effort into it. maybe even a reace truck. I am not sure on that yet. I figure a bare bones truck would be a good place to start. Thanks for the help guys. anymore advice is more than welcome. Oops, almost forgot. No inspections in Arkansas
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old truck
I have a '79 F100. It's a great lighter duty full size. The price seems right & you're keeping it in the family Since you intend to put some money into sooner or later, let the condition of the body dictate the price. The body maybe the most expensive to restore. Check the cab corners, floor boards and bed for rust. If the body is decent, little rust - $800 to $1000 is pretty good - and you keep Grandma in the money 
Since you intend to put some money into sooner or later, let the condition of the body dictate the price. The body maybe the most expensive to restore. Check the cab corners, floor boards and bed for rust. If the body is decent, little rust - $800 to $1000 is pretty good - and you keep Grandma in the money
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
old truck
Heck yeah I'd jump all over that old truck! Chances are with only 80k on it that ol 300 should hold up just fine if it has been taken care of. I would do an oil change,tune up , and replace any gaskets that might be leaking. Change the oil in the transmissin as well, depending on the wear the clutch linkage may need some adjustment. Try not to get too rough with it until its warmed up good. As for the diesel sound it makes could be a number of things : cracked or warped exhaust manifold, loose rocker arms or a bad lifter,or it could be a valve hanging up; or a combination of those things. As for it running rough it may have a vacuum leak: common places base of carb and intake manifold. I put a double gasket on my intake and have'nt had a problem since make, sure the carb mounting nuts are tight, they work loose sometimes. The fuel filter could be partially clogged, the timing could be off. Also like everyone else said thoroughly inspect the chassis, suspension(especially the front), body/cab mounts and crossmembers for heavy rust,bent, broken, or damaged components. Being the truck was owned by your grandfather I would not be afraid to buy the truck.
