I just bought the start of my dream truck a '79 F250 4x4!! I've wanted one for over 20 years. I've got it striped down to the frame right now and ready to start putting it back together piece by piece. The bed is shot so any ideas on where to find a bed? Next question- it had an I-6 but I want to put a V-8 back in it. I'm leaning towards a 429 in front of the 4 speed. This is going to be a garage piece and a Sunday driver that might see some shows. I'm not looking for big hp mainly stock just a nice rumbling V-8. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like a great project.

Love the "nickelndime79" name.

 

Welcome to FTE ! Why a 429 ? Do you have one already lined up ? If not I'd hold out for a 460, more cubes, more power.

 

sounds like your on the right path.. the 460/4spd is a decent runner driver in stock form.. rebuild the 460 add edelbrock intake/ carb setup and a set of short headers on 2 1/2" dual exhaust with decent mufflers...that'll give you nice runner, plenty powerful for your use and still get decent mpg if you stay out of the gas...if your truck had a stick it'll make you swap eaisier... if not its still doable just needs a large parts list...

 

these guys are right about the 460,i have two trucks with 460's and they are great.

 

sorry i just noticed the 429 in your thread... fro your purpose it due fine with the same upgrades as the 460..built one for a friends 71 250 camper special awhile back, big cam reworked heads and all the goodys.... man it ran like a scalded dog...besides the 429 just sc5reams unique- vintage...as for a decent bed it depends on where you live, i have a line on three or for decent ones for fair prices plus i have a toolbox stle 79 bed that i'm looking to swap out for a standard bed for my dually conversion..

 

orfordguy,where are you located?we up here in upstate n.y and i too am looking for a bed,how much for the toolbox style?

 

What is a fair price for a good bed? I'm in southeastern In. For you motor guys is a 429 going to bolt up easily or not to my 4 speed? Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I have read I can take a 460 block and change the heads and a few other things and have a 429. Like orfordguy said I just think it sounds unique.

 

yes the 460 will bolt to a 4 spd so long as you have the right parts...not sure what your truck had for original parts... and no swapping the heads doesn't make a 460 a 429... that actually requires the crank and rods from the 429 into either block...if you put 429 heads on a 460 you get a better compresion ratio other than that there are only some small differances...
to due your swap you nneed the following...
runninng or soon to be compltet 429/460
np435 or t18trans with married 205 t case..i prefer the np better gear set and stronger, more availible too..
proper flywheel for above motor remember in 78 ford externally balanced the 460 and if you get it wrong you'll distroy a new motor in short order
351m-400 bellhousing linkage and clutch arm
if the truck has 400 motor towers on the frame your better off..alota the guys use the L&L motor mounts but there are low buck options...
i prefer the L&L shorty in frame headers some of the other guys prefer others...i find they fit nice and don't leak..
get a good clutch and good radiator
assemble, install, tune and enjoy..

 

martins2141 i'm like 3000 miles away in Oregon but if anyone intrested i'd trade down to a regular bed with race track trim plus some cash.. or 300 cash straight up..

 

the local wreckin yard has 3 standard fleetsides in nice shape 150ea..

 

orfordguy,i have a friend that has his own tractor trailer,let me find out how soon he can get out your way.do you have any pics of your bed and could you possibly get a pic of what ever beds you dont want at your local salvage yard.i would certainly appreciate it THANKS