Hey guys! I'm a vintage air cooled Volkswagen mechanic and very new to old Ford trucks. I stumbled across a guy who wants to trade my 67' beetle for his 68' C700 with a 361 in it. It has nothing on the back, whatever was there is now gone but all and all, she's pretty solid. Especially for being in the midwest. I'm VERY interested in the trade but I am looking into the future, trying to alleviate any issues before they may arise. I've got a plethora of questions I'm hoping you guys(and gals) can be of assistance.

First off, fuel economy. From the very small amount of information posted on the internet about these vehicles, I've noticed most claim an unimpressive 2-5mpg... is this correct? If so, are there any other engine or rear end swaps that might bump that a bit?

Second, replacement parts. The common wear items, brake shoes, wheel cylinders, ball joints, tie rod ends, valve cover gaskets, ignition tune up components... etc. Where do I get them?! The truck also has a broken windshield, comes with two spares but what about the front window seals?

Third, settling the valves. What is the valve lash setting and valve adjusting process?

Thank you very much forum members! I hope some of you might have some information for me.

Photo 1: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...803_201410.jpg

Photo 2: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...803_201359.jpg

 

Welcome to FTE.

I can't answer all questions but:

Fuel economy is dismal, single digits is about right. Hard to push them down to 2 mpg, but my dad was able to push an F600 292 down to 4 mpg.

Brake parts other than drums can be had at Napa. You will probably have to bring old parts with you to ensure a match. You will have to find a store where they understand the Ford lineup did not stop with the F350 also.

Drums....good luck on that.

The wheels on that truck are Dayton wheels, IMO a giant pita and deal killer. I got that opinion from dad, who did his own tire work.

Valves in the FT motors use hydraulic lifters. No adjustment required. If it's ticking, it's probably a stuck lifter and liberal amounts of detergent additive might loosen it up, or you may be stuck with that.

Valve cover gaskets and tune up parts are the same for the FE motors. Plugs might be different, just see what's in it and duplicate. An electronic set up (Pertronix and others) is the way to go if you are going to run it much.

Not sure on the trade, depends on what you are going to use it for.

If you post your vin and all the info off the warranty plate (look on driver door) you can get more info on axles etc.

 

Hello and welcome to FTE, I'm Greg and a new member myself. Pretty cool truck you have there. What Post Fiend said was right, mileage is pretty dismal although the 361FT is a damn good engine. What really plagues these trucks is the rear axle ratio. These things are geared for power in a pretty narrow powerband and for that power, you trade fuel economy. I have a N-600 with a 330 MD ( same FT engine family as the 361) and am thinking about replacing the 330 FT with a 390FE. Then I will have to address the rear axle ratio problem. I was thinking about a school bus rear axle. I think these have more friendly road gear ratio's but not totally sure. Will drop you a post when I find out more. Greg.

 

Welcome to FTE

1957/72 C Series Tilt Cabs / 1973 C Series Tilt Cabs before serial number R80,001:

2) B7T-9103110-A .. Windshield Weatherstrip-Right/Left is the same-Use without stainless steel windshield reveal mouldings / Obsolete

KOVATCH FORD in Nesquehoning PA has 2 = 570-669-5103.

No other Ford dealer, no obsolete parts vendor has any.
---------------------------------------------------------------
2) B7T-9103110-B .. Windshield Weatherstrip-Right/Left is the same-Use with stainless steel windshield reveal mouldings (this truck does not have these mouldings) / Obsolete

No Ford dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

AFAIK, neither of these weatherstrips are reproduced. All the other weatherstrips are also obsolete, no one had the door weatherstrips the last time I looked. You may be SOL on the other weatherstrips as well.

1968 C700: The front brakes could be 15" x 3" or 16" x 2 1/2." The rear brakes could be 15" x 5" or 15" x 6" or 15" x 7" or 16" x 5" or 16 1/2" x 4 1/2" or 16 1/2" x 6."

The factory drums have an ID number cast on them...which will decode to the size of the brakes, but...

If the drums were replaced from an auto parts store, you'll have to pull the drums to find out the brake sizes. Not pleasant!

 

The 330 2V FT is not the same engine family as the 330 2V H/D, nor the 361 2V nor 391 4V FT's.

The 330 2V FT is based off the 352 or 360 FE engine, uses the same crank.

 

THANKS BILL, I STAND CORRECTED. I WAS WONDERING THEN, WOULD THE TIMING COVER OFF THE 330MD FIT THE 390? THANKS, GREG.

 

330 MD has the same smaller crank as the 390, so the cover should fit.

Crank pilot hole would be a question.

 

C4TZ-6019-D .. Timing Cover / Obsolete

1964/78 330 2V M/D / 1965 F100/250 352 4WD / 1965/66 F350 352 / 1966 F250 352 4WD

These F100/350's use the same type of engine mounting as the FT engines.

COAE-6020-C .. Timing Cover Gasket / Obsolete

1958/76 all FE engines (352/360/390 and etc) / 1964/78 330 2V M/D.