Hi folks, I need some advice. My wife just recieved got her grandpas 1977 F-150 Ranger 2wd Longbed with a 400 and auto trans. Her grandfather bought it new in 1977, it's been on the family farm ever since. It's just called ol blue, and it is beat to hell. A bull got mad at it and destroyed damn near every panel on the truck. The reason she got it was gramps blew the motor the other day "revving it to charge the battery" and wanted to take it to the crusher. She pitched a fit and now we have it. Sadly all this happened 3 days after I picked up a 67 land rover that was my grandfathers to restore. And I already have a 1951 Chevrolet Fleetline I did a restoration on, and two daily drivers. So... I have a few cars, and a few projects to undertake, and even less money now that I have to split it between two cars that need fixing up.

I need to get this back up and running quickly, but as cheaply as possible. There is a connecting rod sticking through the oil pan so I am pretty sure it needs a motor. (That's a joke, I know it needs a motor). I can't seem to locate a used 400 around here to throw in. I have used city motor supply before for engines, but a fully stock long block is $1500-2000 bucks. I don't know that the truck is worth that. I looked around on craigslist but haven't seen any 400s for sale locally. Am I being a complete idiot, and need to sack up and just buy a new long block (my core is probably shot) or is there a better alternative? Please give me your honest opinions, at this point I'm a little overwhelmed but I want to make the wife happy and get ol blue going again.

 

You can fix/restore anything but whether its worth it or not, only you can decide.
Whenever you attach the word "sentimental" (or, as I spell it, $entimental) the costs can escalate rapidly, ask me how I know.
As much as I hate to say it, I would probably pass on fixing the '77. It just wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.
I too bought a new F250 Ranger XLT in '77. Wish I still had it.
If you do want to put another engine in it, if you can't locate a used 400, you can also look for a 351M (Not a windsor or a cleveland) externally they are identical to a 400 and will bolt right in.
From your description, even with a new engine, you're looking, at best, at a $500.00 truck, so right off the bat, you've lost $12-1500.00.
I would've probably shot the bull .

 

Maybe i am insensitive, but i am practical. Find a truck that you can give gramps. He will be thrilled and can create some memories in it before he goes. And you can get it back someday. A lot less cash involved...

 

Call me crazy, but I'd just find another "running" truck, pull the engine and anything else you can use on the 77 and go from there. 2wd trucks are cheap, you don't need it to be mint. I can find running trucks around here for scrap prices. Scrap what you don't need and you'll come out close to even.

I'd restore it, that's a lot of history to give up on. You don't have to go all out, just get it running, make it safe and keep it as a beater. all the dents/etc give it character and you have a good story (bull fighter would be a good name for it ) to go along with the damage. My too scents...

 

Get on your local chapter forum, and ask around. I am betting you will find someone with a 400 or someone who knows where to look. I would fix it if my wife saved an old truck from the crusher, as it has got to mean something to her. But not sure i would fork out the money for a new longblock.


Texas Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

That's a crazy price for a modified family block. Since you have none locally you could check ebay for a 351m or 400 to put in. In Kentucky you can pick up a complete engine and sometimes a trans for under $400. Simple gasket/ring/bearing kits go for a few hundred as well.
Get the truck back up and running with a rebuilt engine to keep the truck alive and the wife happy. That way you have some funds and time left over for your other projects!

Here are some links from a quick search on my local CL. Im sure you could find a seller willing to ship it to you.
1979 Ford 351M Engine -$250
Big Block Ford Motor $175!!! Great deal!!! -$175
http://louisville.craigslist.org/pts/4477415319.html -$400 rebuilt

 

For what it is worth, i passed this by my lady. She scoffed...

She said it's not about getting the truck running so much as it is about not getting rid of it. Parking it and "having" it is enough. She says that us guys think too far the other way, and that may not be necessary at the immediate moment. Obviously i am translating this best i can.

Dont try to fix it as yet, just to have it is enough for now.

 

Sale the 51 chebby and the 2 DD's and get a new big block for it and never look back.....lol KJ .

Just let it set for now, unless gramps needs another farm truck ASAP? You should be able to locate a 351M or 400 off C-list and or or when the time is right get a complete running parts truck and swap in the motor and body panels.

 

351m/400 engines have the same bellhousing pattern as a 429/460. It's pretty easy to swap them. You might need a slightly larger radiator depending on whether the 400 had the supercooling or not. 460s seem to still be pretty easy to locate these days, and relatively cheap. I've got a pickup with a 400 that has problems and I"m considering dropping a 460 in because it might end up cheaper and easier than fixing the 400.

 

Personally I would rather keep my Beautiful Bride happy than upset her even if it cost me 50 grand. She already has half the money and all the poon tang.

 

Where are you located? Here in VA I can get my hands on a number of 351M/400s for a hundred bucks or so. And I understand about sentimental attachment. So find a cheap block, buy a gasket set, transfer over whatever you need and be out of there for less than 500 bucks plus labor. Then you can have something the whole family can be proud of.

 

X2!! You can't swap memories to a new truck, but if you do end up getting rid of it please post in the for sale section or if you would like to part it out do that and you might be able to make some money on it and than sell it. But that is the bottom of the barrel idea, I would try and find a used big block motor and trans and swap into it