So it seems I am in a bit of a rut and am not sure what the best option is for my 69/70 302 for my f100. I am sorry if I am bit of a noob haha

The engine seriously needs a rebuild. It looks like crap, it looks like someone just stuck a newer 289 performer intake on top of a dirty ole' engine without doing anything else tbh, because the intake is not nearly as nasty. It also has had a serious redux in power recently and been leaking since I got it. It wasn't too bad but all the gaskets are bad I'm guessing because a lot of the other rubber lines were cracked and disintegrating. I was driving it daily till after I changed my oil and not 2 weeks later did I find the oil full of coolant. I haven't driven it since.

I have already started getting some stuff needed, like new exhaust manifolds because mine are cracked. But I do not know what I should do for a rebuild. I have limited $$$ and a lot to fix unfortunately but, need to get it going because my car goes away next year in June. I am not looking to be out racing or anything intense just something good to run. I myself have never rebuilt an engine. The closest thing I gotten to that was when I was 10 or so helping my mother tear down, clean up, and paint a junkyard Lycoming Engine for her Biplane (she was a pilot and instructor) . We put it together but never completely finished it before selling and parting it out. I know a little and that's about it.

So here's my question should I have a shop rebuild it? Should I read up and try to rebuild it myself?? should I just scrap it, save and buy a drop in? or just say eff the truck in general?? (lol its frustrating the crap out of me, I miss being able to drive it and now the tires are going flat)

My military post has an auto maintenance shop with tools I can use (and instructors if I need help) and If I did it I would take some time off to work on it all day. I have had a few friends down in the motor pool say they'll help but they are all very busy, don't seem all that enthused, and all talk crap about each other not knowing what the heck their doing so I don't know who the heck to trust. Not to mention I Feel bad asking after they work all day to have them work on my truck.

 

Check with your local engine builder to see how much they want to do a basic rebuild. Then check with places like Summit or one of those companies advertising in the car rags to see what they want for a create engine. See which option is more affordable to you.

It takes some specialized machines to overhaul an engine. Then you need someone with some skills and experience to do the work. If you have access to both, you have a chance of doing it yourself.