Daily Driver Motor
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Joined: May 2017
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An couple of observations and a couple of questions... just for fun!
Dent's were built as DD's and can certainly take it. Fuel consumption is not the best... in part because of powertrains (engine/transmission) and in part because of aerodynamics.
Now the questions...
What is the issue with your current engine?
Why is the mechanic recommending engine change?
If you want to drive daily a priority (I think) is in getting all systems in good shape for reliability. This is probably easier with the original engine vs transplant.
Dent's were built as DD's and can certainly take it. Fuel consumption is not the best... in part because of powertrains (engine/transmission) and in part because of aerodynamics.
Now the questions...
What is the issue with your current engine?
Why is the mechanic recommending engine change?
If you want to drive daily a priority (I think) is in getting all systems in good shape for reliability. This is probably easier with the original engine vs transplant.
There was also apparently something wrong with the piston rings which caused significant enough blowby to coat my valve covers in oil after a week or two of driving.
The trucks in great shape actually. I was going to add pictures of it but I can't seem to find them.
As mentioned earlier, he's recommending the engine change because he is of the opinion the motor wasn't meant to hold up to being a DD.
I wouldnt drive it as a daily driver, no, especially a couple hours. The gas mileage is not these truck's best feature. Now, if your trusted mechanic is saying that you shouldn't, it probably means that he sees the years and mileage on your truck. 2 hours away from home, the water pump goes out, a costly tow. 2 weeks later, wheel bearing, etc. You can always rebuild it for $3-$4k, then redo the drive train for a couple more $k, might as well just do a frame off restoration though, right? Ask how many guys here have there truck's parked out back o' the barn in pieces, and for how long.
My recommendation is get you a daily driver and drive this when you want. The gas savings alone, in a year of driving a couple hours per day, will buy you a small used Ranger that you can fix or throw away as you want.
Or, buy a Ferrari for a DD, that seems to fit on the option list somewhere...
My recommendation is get you a daily driver and drive this when you want. The gas savings alone, in a year of driving a couple hours per day, will buy you a small used Ranger that you can fix or throw away as you want.
Or, buy a Ferrari for a DD, that seems to fit on the option list somewhere...
I already have a DD car that I was forced to buy when both of my pickups blew up in the span of a week. I intend on selling it for two big reasons; I work out of town basically every day, I very rarely get days off, so if I keep the car, I'd literally never drive my dream truck and so there'd be no point in owning it. Secondly, I intend to live out of a camper and there's the potential for me to work out of state. My highboy will allow me to do that and bring my camper with me...and in style
More Turbo
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 622
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Hi, I converted my 73 F100 from an FE360 to a 351W with EFI I did all of the work myself and enjoyed doing it. I couldn't imagine the labor cost of paying someone to do it for me. If you were happy driving the truck before find a shop that knows how to rebuild the 390 and put it back in, don't get a 360 you won't by happy with the lack of performance. And I drive me truck every day and love it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
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From: St Albert, Alberta
Ya I would find another mechanic obviously he is a younger guy with NO experience on anything but EFI. I seriously question his knowledge he sounds more like an R&R tech than a mechanic.
Rebuild the engine. With modern lubricants and proper maintenance a correctly rebuilt and tuned carb'd engine will easily last 200K miles plus.
Bits are plentiful and easy to find for your 390, rebuild the motor.
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Joined: May 2017
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Ya I would find another mechanic obviously he is a younger guy with NO experience on anything but EFI. I seriously question his knowledge he sounds more like an R&R tech than a mechanic.
Rebuild the engine. With modern lubricants and proper maintenance a correctly rebuilt and tuned carb'd engine will easily last 200K miles plus.
Bits are plentiful and easy to find for your 390, rebuild the motor.
My step dad has echoed what the mechanic said previously as well.
In any event, I think I will keep and rebuild the 390 and see how things go.
Thanks guys.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,132
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From: W (BY GOD) V
Simple, either have a set of reman heads put on or find a take-off set and have a valve job done. If you go to a later swap, you will still have maintenance items unless a complete crate exchange.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
If it truly overheated it needs a ring job.
They will never tension right again. Poor compression, blowby, glazing, forget it. FE is a great engine, though it sounds like yours is a boatanchor till it gets rebuilt.
They will never tension right again. Poor compression, blowby, glazing, forget it. FE is a great engine, though it sounds like yours is a boatanchor till it gets rebuilt.
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