When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was not going to post this build mostly because it’s almost done. Visiting my daughter in Oregon I found a 1977 F250 4X4 not in bad shape. I found myself driving by every time I went up for a visit.
I am in the middle of a 1978 Ford Bronco build. A have had a few issues with the engine build over the last three year, Yes I said three, IdI engine build, so I took a break from it.
I told myself not to get another project, but I just really love the late 70’s trucks. My wife also loves these truck, growing up with her Dad’s 1979 Ford F150 4x4 called Chief. She always wanted one. So after a year of looking at that truck I got it.
I am building it for my wife. She really likes driving it, but I am getting ahead of myself.
Welcome to the Dentside forum.... I took a break from working on my house so I could wrench on my truck.... that was almost five years ago... I still have no baseboards, and the kitchen still needs to be remodeled.
What's the plan for the ol' girl? .... the '77 I mean.
1977 ford F250 4x4 Dana 60 and 44HD front 429 with c6 transmission and NP205 Divorced transferase.
We drove the truck back to California, (No Laughing, I know CA SUCKS) ran ok was pinging and felt like 3rd gear was missing, but I am not sure what was going on. I really don’t do automatic transmissions.
They guy who I purchased it from said the motor was rebuilt. Looking at it seemed to be true, but the timing was wrong.
I had Crag look at it and see what he thinks. A few thing we for right away is the carb was wrong, the stock distributor sucks and the engine seems to sit wrong.
This is the engine when we got it
We swapped out the stock distributor for a MSD and used the MSD Digital 6AL controller and a Holley truck avenger. to see if that would make a difference.
We also added a holley fuel pump, new plugs, K&N air filter, and changed the oil. to see if it made a difference.
Once we added the these parts it didn't change much. I went to a rear end shop in Sacramento and had them install a new set of 410 gears, timken roller bearings set and national seal, ARB Air Locker.
A '77 will be subject to CA emissions testing. What's yer plan to address that aspect of registration?.... unless it's registered in oregon at yer daughter's place. Are you in an exempt locale?
After that we took the truck for a ride. My Wife and I wanted to check out Montana and Idaho, so we jumped in it and drove.
Heading thru Nevada
Then we hit Idaho the truck seem ok still felt like it was missing a gear, and the pinging was not that bad
Once we hit Rexburg Idaho the heater core broke and sent water into the passenger floor pan. That sucked, but it was cool to find Yellowstone Bear World. Would have never seen this
Very Awesome place to see
The rest of the trip was ok, we drove 2600 mile round trip.
We got back and I never felt that the transmission was correct, so I called Oregon Performance Transmission and talked to the guy about a tranny upgrade.
the following is the parts for the transmission
Rebuild kit: part number ORE-C6-HPRB
Shift kit: TRG-67-1-2
Converter: ORE-F600-30 "This is an Allison spec, super HD converter"
servo: SNX-K36528R
Overrun roller clutch: NTP-37813A
Also a deep B&M tranny pan
Found a trans shop. The guy called me and said 3rd was gone. Go figure and drove it at least 4k before taking it in!! Gotta love a C6!
While I was waiting for the tranny shop to repair it. I order a set of L&L headers and the conversion alternator kit. I then had the truck taken to the exhaust shop. I never did like the exhaust dump in front of the rear tires and the topper always smelled like exhaust so I ripped out the old exhaust and sent it on its was.
2.5 exhaust with Flow Master 3 chamber.
L&L headers. I recoated them, they didn't do a very good job. L&L does not have a coater anymore
On its was for exhaust!! Sweet
The Muffler shop did an Great job keeping the exhaust high! Bad ***!
My Wife's Dad's truck had a warn winch in the back. in 80's Warn made a rear winch bumper, so Craig and I copied it and made it out of the stock bumper except we boxed it in, unlike Warn didn't do. 8K Warn Winch and I also added some LED light. Came out sweet
Before the Bumper Mod
After the Mod. I have to Give it up to CRAIG! He really did an AWESOME Job on this!!
there it is. Just need to finish adding the trailer plug in the hole
the interior was in great shape. I added the door panels from my Bronco, (Those are coming back! She does not know this yet) added a gauge cluster, Tac, Break controller passenger side USB and lighter plug, Retro Sound radio, all new door and window moldings, new dash and pad
Couldn't wait to get the truck on the road and test all the new parts. We fired it up and the headers sounded awesome.
Made a few changes to the carb. Craig and I jumped in and it ran like CRAP!,
Backfired thru carb, couldn't get out of its own way, I looked at Craig and said this truck didn't run this bad on our trip. We messed with the timing and carb for hours, oh, and I had to take the truck to my wife Dad's house for dinner. Craig retarded it hell out of the timing. Starting issues, ended up breaking a few teeth on the flywheel and mini starter.
I told my wife let’s just jump in the truck and make it an adventure. Boy was it. It took us 3 hours to get home 40 miles away almost had to call a tow truck at midnight. I was so pissed! I told my wife, in the morning We are pulling this motor out!
11-16-2015, 03:22 PM
