Just to get this out of the way I know next to nothing about engines and I'm figuring this out as I go. So in advance I ask that you explain things simply. I am blonde! Haha This is going to end well, right?
Well anyway I have a 1972 blue on white ford f100 on a 250 frame with a 390...windsor? I think. Its got a stock 390 2 barrel carb that I know is bad. The radiator leaks and my alternator's bad. My steering needs altering, tightening, replacing? I don't know he's all over the road. Where's a good place to get a new carb and radiator? And any suggestions on where I could learn some more about engines?

 

Welcome to the site.

That 390 is from the "FE" engine family, not a "Windsor".

Most parts can be had from any local parts store: Autozone, Advance, Napa.

You could rebuild the carb yourself, it really is pretty easy even for someone with little knowledge. There is only one gasket and a few small parts. An afternoon on the workbench and you can take care of it. Most kits come with instructions and pictures to follow.

The radiator is a simple replacement. Few bolts, couple hoses using common hand tools.

The alternator is the same. Remove it, take it to parts store and have it tested. Could be good, but regulator is bad?? That is the little box (size of your fist) mounted next to the radiator with flat 4 prong plug in the side.

Steering could be multiple things. Tie rods, king pins, rag joint, steering box? Just have to jack it up and start wiggling things. Anything with slop will cause it to wander pretty bad.

Most parts stores have motor books. They will go into detail about rebuilding an engine. From tear down to assembly. Beyond that, read some of the post on here. Lots of information.

 

Like I said, I'm figuring it out I've been looking for the engine book and I've had trouble finding it. My boyfriend and his grandpa have been working on it but well...they're teaching abilities and my learning abilities just don't work well together haha. Is it better to put a new carb on there all together or just rebuild it? Which is more affordable? I'm doing this on a waitress's pay haha

 

Rebuild is much cheaper. Just time consuming. Getting it all nice and clean and putting it back together.

Here is Autozone listings> $20
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...61_32548_3657_

Here is something from Summit. HP Books makes a wide variety of how to books.
HP Books HP708 - HP Books How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Something like this will cover most of the truck and give you motor stuff too:
Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 Repair Manual 1965-1986

 

FE engines have 5 valve cover bolts per side.

D4AZ-9A586-A (replaced C2AZ-9A586-B) .. 2100 series Auto-Lite/Motorcraft 2V Carburetor Kit (Motorcraft CT-499-D) / Available from Ford/Autoparts stores.

Applications: ALL 1962/74 Passenger Cars & Trucks / 1966/74 Bronco's / 1969/74 Econolines.

MSRP: $33.42 // FTE Ford Dealer Parts Dept sponsor tousleyfordparts.com price: $18.38 / Tousley Ford - White Bear Lake MN

 

Ya got to have 25+ post to use the search engine on here as far as I know. But ya can Google all threads.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 76f350spercamprspeal

Welcome to FTE, Best Damn Forum EVER!
------------------------
Here's How to Post Pictures:
1. Login to FTE.
2.Click User CP (In the Top Left Hand Corner)
3.(On the Left, There will be a list, The 5th Option Down, will say "Pictures & Albums) Click That.
4.Then, Click Add Album, Enter a title, and description, if ya want to.
5. Click Upload Pictures, Then click Browse, Locate the Files of your truck. (You can add 3 files at a time)
5. Click Upload.
6. Add a description to the individual pictures, then click save.
7. Add more files if ya want.
8. Click The Picture you want to post, it will give you two codes at the bottom, Right Click The Second one (It say's BB Code, Then Say's [IMG]http:blahblahblah...[/IMG])
Then, Once that is highlighted, Right Click, Then Copy, Then Paste it into your post.
You can add up to 30 Images in one FTE Post.
If, Ya need any help, Don't hesitate to ask.


Quote:
Originally Posted by old_dan

You can also go to the "Garage" tab and start an album right here on FTE. After you post pictures to an album, we can look in your album, but you'll also be able to "insert a picture" by pasting in a link to the picture in your album.

It seems awkward, but whenever you "insert a picture" to one of these threads, the forum is looking for the picture somewhere on the web (which is always available) rather than from somewhere on your hard drive (which isn't always available).

Quote:
Originally Posted By Jolly Roger Joe

Welcome to FTE!

Go to Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket and sign up for a free account. Then create an album for your truck. Upload any pics you want to post on FTE to that album. Have this album open on your computer when you want to post pics on FTE.

While you're making a post on FTE, select the pic you want to post from your Photobucket album. When the large version of the pic is open, right mouse click on it and select "View Image Info". The image info will be highlighted and will look something like this:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ghtsafter1.jpg

Copy that highlighted info (right click / copy).

When you have the spot in your post where you want the pic to be placed, select the "Insert Image" icon at the top of the post (looks like a mountain) and paste (right click / paste) the image info you copied in the highlighted box (just shows "http://" when it opens).

Your pic will be placed in the post.

Hope that helps.

Here's a tutorial Bob put together: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/67...-pictures.html

 

My alternator quit on me! Not that it didnt need replacing anyway but now its time to actually fork out tue dough to do it. What kind of alternator do I need?

 

Regular old replacement.

Take it to your local autoparts store and they can usually check them and then replace it.

 

Carb: even a muddled up rebuild will have a better chance of running right than getting a reman from the parts store. If they even make new ones, they would be very expensive. But you might consider going to a new Holley 2 bbl. Expect to pay in the $400 range, not sure exactly. As mentioned, the carbs are the easiest one to build and a good place to learn.
Those old alternators seldom fail. most of the time it's the voltage regulator. It's a good system but you are stuck buying a junky import regulator if you get it from the parts house. I'd rather take my chances with a Motorcraft or Autolite one from the junkyard. Personally, all my Fords from here on out will get the newer 3G style alternator if the need arises. Look for them from 90s Fords equipped with a V6 to get the proper mounting configuration. Here is the very simple wiring diagram. You won't have an amp gauge anymore but they never worked when they were new so it's no loss.
http://www.bcbroncos.com/3ginstall.pdf

Without writing a whole service manual here, you need to check out the whole system. Have the battery tested and check the system for a drain. You will need a voltmeter for this but you can test the alternator yourself with just a jumper wire at the regulator plug. Make sure the belt isn't slipping, easy test, just see if you can turn the alternator pulley. If you can, the belt is too loose or needs replaced.