Hi All,

I'm new to this site but I have a question. Really I need an opinion. I just looked at a 72 f100 with a 390 in it and an automatic transmission. The guy selling it is asking $2000 for it. I'm trying to decide what I should offer for it.

The body has minor surface rust in various places all around and you can see bare metal in places where the paint has just oxidized and come off. I didnt see any places that were rusted thru. The interior is ok. The dash is cracked and the seat is ripped.

The motor cranked right up and lubdubed right along no odd sounds. The fella indicated that he had put an after market carb on it but I have no idea what kind. I didnt think to ask .
There was a very very small amount of blue smoke in the exaust. (valve seals maybe?)

WHat should I know about the Transmission of this truck?

There was some oil on the front of the block but I couldnt tell exactly where it was coming from.

I drove it around the block and it felt beautiful the steering wasnt loose at all and it accelerated fine. The part that worried me most is that if I touched the brakes the locked up. I kinda figured (correct me if im wrong) but the wheel cylinders are probably dumping fluid on the pads and drums and they are sticking when i touch the brakes.

The motor has never been rebuilt and the seller admitted that all the seals are deteriorating (as expected on a motor of this age) the cool part is the motor only has 89000 miles on it if the odometer is correct.

After checking with a few car friends of mine they said I should be able to get a full engine rebuild kit for about $700 to $800 and the brakes should cost about $40 a corner. First do you think this is accurate for repair ( guestimate of course) and do you think an offer of $1300 is fair to offer the seller.


I feel like the truck would be drivable if the brakes where fixed. But, would Require the engine rebuild very soon.


Thanx
HTF

 

You should make sure that it is a 390 and not the much more common 360 (which looks like a 390) "Y" in the VIN is a 360.

The trans is probably a C6.

Brakes could be anything from clean and adjust all the way to a complete overhaul.

What trim level is the truck? (Ranger, RangerXLT, Custom, etc)

I'm pretty new to this, so I'm sure some more knowlageable folk will be along soon.

Your friends prices sound a little cheap.

If the truck was mine, I probably would not take 1300.00 for it if it is as you describe.

 

Oops i did foget to mention its an XLT and it has what looks to be after market air....but the air is not working the current owner removed the pully and belt that turned the compressor. I also just looked at the add and am a little confused...I could have sworn he corrected me and said 390 when i asked him if it was a 360. But my wife said i asked him if it was a 390 and he said it was a 360 . So the answer is a 360 lol per my wife and the add.

 

Maybe you can go back and write down everything that is stamped on the rating plate.

Remember ...as it appears on the Rating plate.

The we can get an idea about everything.

Digital pics would be nice too