I've been lurking around here for a few months and thought it was about time to introduce myself. I'm bad about talking too much so I'll try to keep this first post short. My truck is not much (if almost nothing) to look at, but like many of the Ford nuts here, I'm proud of a few things, and one is the trusty old y-block.

About two months ago I decided to get this truck off of jack stands in my yard. All four wheels were frozen, so a complete brake job was in order. I replaced everything except some of the steel lines. Once I knew it would roll and stop, I was ready to see if it would start. After 20 years in storage and 5 more in my back yard, I rebuilt the carb, installed a new fuel pump (knowing the old diaphragm was probably toast), fogged the cylinders and installrd new plugs since I had to remove the old ones anyway.

Here is the result:


That old 292 is music to my ears. It idles with the carb "bench" set. I haven't yet adjusted anything or reset the timing! Hard to beat the old Detroit (Dearborn) iron.

More to come.

 

Outstanding!! I similarly resurrected my 1960 F100 Y-Block. Its amazing to me that after decades or so of sitting, these engines start up and idle smooth.

Brakes are next on my list.

 

Congratulations on bring the ol girl back to life.

 

AWESOME! way to go. Y's are music to my ears..

 

Nice to watch & listen to old Y-Block purr.

 

Thanks for the video!

 

The old Ford motors can sit for years and still not lock up like other motors I've noticed in the past. I have a parts truck with a 223, it sat for 20 years and the last owner fired it up, then it sat another 10 years until he got it running for me. Will likely be going in my '57 someday.

 

I had planned to post again before now, but hadn't much progress to show, only a tale to tell. This week I've come across a nice find which will alter my course significantly and in a good way. Here is what I've had to work with since 1978 (the 38 years):




So much rust that many would say I should find another truck to start with. The "tale to tell" is the sentimental value here, but I'll save that for later.

Here is my great find but it is 475 miles away. However, it is going to be a great donor and only 28k original miles.




A big job, but I can't wait to get started. My wife is gonna kill me when this thing hits the yard.

 

COOL!!! That should keep you busy for another 38 years LOL

 

Got a new set of rubber. It drives like a pickup now. Those ancient unbalanced dry rotten 10 ply LT tires were not gonna get the job done.

 

Something about a new pair of boots just makes ya feel better!

 

nothing like the sound of a Y block, i miss mine

 

New to forum and don't know if I am posting right but here goes. I have two ford trucks coming to my house on transport truck. 1949 1 owner f2 and 1960 crew cab 1/2 ton. both from north Dakota barn. any info on 1960 would be good. Must be pretty rare.

 

So for a little of the "tale to tell": One look at my truck would prompt many to ask: "Don't you think you could find a better candidate for restoration?" No doubt the answer is "Yes", but then comes the sentimentality. My father was a Ford dealer in the '50s & '60s. He sold this truck new to my maternal grandfather (his father-in-law). Enough said. I got it in 1978, thus the "38 year project." I've never been a fan of the color and for years imagined a two tone scheme with most any other color and white. Over those years the cost for a nice paint job and all the prep necessary to make the outlay of that money worth spending has exceeded what I'm willing to shell out (or can afford). So, as is the trend today, I'm comfortable with patina, but feel my truck is waaaaay past that. So when this same color West Texas (dry climate, little rust) F600 came available, I thought it would be a great candidate for a cab swap. Virtually no patch panels needed.




So now it has been delivered. I bought it from pictures with a promise it would run. There is enough dirt on the engine to make be believe it hasn't run in years, but the seller was true to his word. A hot battery and squirt of gasoline down the carb and it fired right up. It needs some brake work and a windshield (vandals) to be road worthy (nearly every light works), and now I'm faced with the dilemma of cannibalizing it. It seems too good to part out. But then, how many people want a 58 year old flat bed?

 

Some trucks must die so other can live. I say take it apart!