Hello!
I have an old 73 F350 SCS that has been in our family since day one. My Dad special ordered it and took delivery in December, 1972. Originally a 390, I converted it to a 460 in 1982 when the truck had just 23,000 miles. It now has 70,000. I also added a tilt column and factory speed control removed from a wrecked brand new 1979 truck (in 79). The only other change was to take the 4.10s out of the dana 70 and install 3.53s. (3.55s? Can't recall exactly) Otherwise, it still has all original paint and interior. I will probably repaint it this winter, since the 40 year old paint is going away.

A few months ago, my wife and I drove it to southern California and picked up a 1973 Ford American Road cabover camper. I had wanted one of these for ages, but they only made something like 825 of them, and there are almost none left. This one is pretty used up, too, and I have started restoring it. It is going to be a huge task, but I am excited to finally have the camper I always wanted for my truck.
The trip itself was a nightmare. Way too much to write about here, but the condensed version was that after 745 miles of running like a swiss watch and only 5 miles from our destination to pick up the camper, the engine broke a valve spring. I was fortunate enough to have some great people track down the parts I needed (amazingly difficult to find a valve spring in the middle of nowhere) and I had enough tools that I was able to get us rolling again. The spring was in 3 pieces and it was nothing short of a miracle that it didn't drop the valve and destroy the engine. But anyway, we got the camper loaded up and made the return 750 mile trip without a hiccup. Sorry to ramble!

I've enjoyed scrolling through these forums. There are a lot of neat people on here, with some pretty cool trucks!

Tony

 

Hi There Tony Welcome to FTE Great to see your still carrying on with your Dad's old F350. Your bang on point that your fellow Ford fans here are quite the knowledgeable bunch and always willing to help their fellow Ford owners with questions.

You will have to add some Pics to your garage of your Dad's F350, and some of your project camper as well, dont forget to join the local chapter from the state you are from and meet your fellow Ford owners from there.

Have fun at FTE and welcome aboard

 

Hey Tony, that truck has quite the story, I always like a good one, and yours was quite interesting, welcome to FTE my friend, we'll try our best to help you keep that old truck on the road, for any tech questions you might have please head this way: 1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Also, go here for more info on the 460 engine: Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Enjoy the site, and please keep us posted on both the truck and the camper! .

 

Thank you guys for the warm welcome! As this project progresses, I will post some more pictures.

Tony

 

Hello, nice to meet you!

 

Thanks, Jen! Nice to meet you!
I checked out your website. Pretty cool products, you have. When I get closer to completing my rickety old camper, I will take a hard look at a few of your items.
Take care!

Tony

 

Hi Tony,

I read an article about you and your America Road Campers. I have a Ford American Road Camper 1973/74 that I would like to give to someone who would like it. It needs work and is located in Alamo, Nevada.

I can send you photos, if you like.

Thanks,
Irene

​​​​​QUOTE=Tony Tabacchi;13596414]Hello!
I have an old 73 F350 SCS that has been in our family since day one. My Dad special ordered it and took delivery in December, 1972. Originally a 390, I converted it to a 460 in 1982 when the truck had just 23,000 miles. It now has 70,000. I also added a tilt column and factory speed control removed from a wrecked brand new 1979 truck (in 79). The only other change was to take the 4.10s out of the dana 70 and install 3.53s. (3.55s? Can't recall exactly) Otherwise, it still has all original paint and interior. I will probably repaint it this winter, since the 40 year old paint is going away.

A few months ago, my wife and I drove it to southern California and picked up a 1973 Ford American Road cabover camper. I had wanted one of these for ages, but they only made something like 825 of them, and there are almost none left. This one is pretty used up, too, and I have started restoring it. It is going to be a huge task, but I am excited to finally have the camper I always wanted for my truck.
The trip itself was a nightmare. Way too much to write about here, but the condensed version was that after 745 miles of running like a swiss watch and only 5 miles from our destination to pick up the camper, the engine broke a valve spring. I was fortunate enough to have some great people track down the parts I needed (amazingly difficult to find a valve spring in the middle of nowhere) and I had enough tools that I was able to get us rolling again. The spring was in 3 pieces and it was nothing short of a miracle that it didn't drop the valve and destroy the engine. But anyway, we got the camper loaded up and made the return 750 mile trip without a hiccup. Sorry to ramble!

I've enjoyed scrolling through these forums. There are a lot of neat people on here, with some pretty cool trucks!

Tony[/QUOTE]

 

Attachment 277521

 

After almost eight years I'm betting @Tony Tabacchi isn't watching this thread any more, but you never know!

Welcome aboard!