I purchased some rims and tires from discount tire in 17" that were relatively inexpensive. Did it so if I had a flat, I could get new modern tires quicly replaced.

You may like these rims I have.

 

Nice. I've never liked the hubcap look, but would like to see how it looks when mounted; if you feel like posting. Thanks

 

I do like those. I have to swing by Discount tomorrow

 

I suppose this is turning into an intro build thread; sorry. Wondering where everybody gets their windshields from, without breaking the bank? I called 8 places and nobody seems to have them, most said they could order one. If they have to order it, I can just as easily get one myself and install it. Thanks for the suggestions...

 

Unfortunately, I have not been able to pick up the truck, as title is still in a waiting mode with the state. Hoping to secure it next week. In the meantime, I found someone that will replace the windshield, but he will not do it with a "crappy Chinese" gasket. Anyone have a suggestion where to buy a high quality one?

 

Got a quote from Discount Tire for $150ea for the Mickey Thompson Classic 3's pictured above. Decided to just mount the salvage yard 31x15's on it and call it good until spring. With a kid heading off to college in a month, I might have to squeeze the stone a little harder to get things fixed on this cool old truck; and slowly at that. I might have to stop reading about all your totally sweet trucks so I don't get too jealous and crazy LOL.

 

Orion is finally home. Quite the little adventure for sure. I bought it a few weeks ago but had to wait for the title to clear DMV. The truck ran good when I took it for a test ride. Well today when I finally picked it up, it was running pretty rough, the brakes were almost non existent, and the turn signals were not working. Fun times. With my son riding a safe distance behind, we headed off on the 30 mile journey to get it home.

Made it 10 miles and it **** the bed. Grrrr. It started to miss and stumble on the highway, so we pull off on an alternate route to get it home and it just died. Couldn't get it started again. Four and a half hours later and one tow truck later we've got it parked at the house.

The only thing I can think of is that the guy I bought it from lied and didn't really clean out the gas tank. I smelled a hint of varnish as I was pumping the gas trying to get it started again. Lets just say I'm a bit pissed. I hate liars.

It might be the carb, or the electronic ignition (Motorcraft version) as well.

The other issue is that the c6 trans is shifting hard and will only shift up at about 3200 RPM's.

I didn't expect it was going to be perfect but the PO must have done some hard spins around since I bought it to screw up how it drives (or doesn't drive) now.

All of that aside, I am totally psyched to get my hands on this cool *** truck.

 

Spent some time going connection, by connection, wire run by wire run; and finally find a split in one of the wires that runs to the Duraspark. Not satisfied, I keep looking and there is another in the capacitor wire. Those fixed, I moved on to the fuel system, pull the mechanical fuel pump filter and it is totally clean. Turned the key and NOTHING!!! UGGH.

Then I remembered my old mustang and how the shifter, if not all the way into park would keep the "Key On" function from working. Reset the column shifter to park and all is right in the world again. Orion is in the garage and ready for a solid few days of cleaning 40 years of grime off the engine.

 

One of the first items that has to be addressed is the steering shaft coupling or "rag joint". It is completely disengaged and shredded from the lower power steering box shaft. It was a scary drive on the highway! I've read a number of posts for ideas but just want to go with the least expensive OE option. Where to buy and can anyone get me the numbers for full coupling and fitting/bolts?
(It would seem that it would be a straight forward part, but there are far to many "universal" items out there (a.k.a NOT at all universal) LOL I found this one: https://www.npdlink.com/store/produc...881-50000.html It looks right, but wanted to make sure before I order tonight.

Also, after spending some time with the 2 barrel carb yesterday, it's evident it will need to be replaced. I'd like to eventually build the 360 into a 390... can anyone give me a good aluminum 4 barrel intake option? This is not going to be a mud truck or any kind of performance runner, just an every day work truck (I do remodeling). It needs to work with the 360, but adapt when I change out the crank and pistons, and cam a few months down the road.

Thanks for the advice... I'm heading back out to clean clean clean. Cheers

BTW- My name is Dave, and I'm in South Denver, CO - Nice to meet y'all.

 

The steering coupler (rag joint) is available by itself.

4WD: It bolts to the flange of the lower steering shaft and coupler assy., then slides onto the splines of the steering gearbox input shaft where it's retained by a pinch bolt.

D5TZ-3A525-A .. Steering Coupler / Obsolete

1975/79 F100/350 2WD with P/S / 1976/79 F100/150 4WD with P/S

HAVEN FORD PARTS in Haven KS has 1 = 620-465-2252.

NOS PARTS SOURCE in Olathe KS has 1 = 913-220-5746.

Check to see if NAPA has this coupler available.

 

Thank you for the numbers sir.

 

Dentside owners all eventually learn how to hold the shifter up with the left hand and turn the key with the right hand while making it all look natural...

I also put 17s from Discount Tire on the yellow truck to "future-proof" it for tires. 16.5s get hard to find...

 

On a whim after work, my son and I played with the distributor adjustment, and now it is a whole different animal. It smelled so bad (super rich), it was difficult to be in the garage after just starting it for a moment. Now it seems to be running much more lean. I highly doubt the guy that got it running to sell it to me did any more than literally "get it turning over." I'll pull the plugs tomorrow and make sure they have proper gap, drain, flush and replace the fluids in the C6, front and rear diffs, and empty out the super bad gas that was left in the rear tank for 18 years. (PO was supposed to do that before I picked it up).

We will be running it over to the power washer to see if we can clean up the engine bay and front suspension before I dig in and start adjusting/replacing what is needed.

After that, its on to the brakes... I like to stop without clenching up the nether region LOL.

 

Welcome and love the truck.

 

Thank you. Already a remarkable experience on this forum! My son and I love the truck too.