I thought I would start a thread to document this adventure. A few weeks ago my buddy called me up and said he was moving out of town and asked me if I could help him get a good price from a local junk yard for his 91 F350 Super Cab where the 7.3 diesel. I knew the truck, I'd seen it more than once, definitely has some cancer issues but mechanically it always seemed to be sound so, recent sight unseen I told him I would just give him $500 and he wouldn't have to bother taking it to the junkyard. I know that it had been parked for about a year and a half but had a new E4OD installed just before it stopped being used. Apparently it was becoming increasingly harder to start and eventually he gave up and parked it.

I had it towed to my house and the adventure

I​​​​​​I checked all the fluids, added 2 quarts of oil, 3 quarts of transmission fluid and turned it over, fuel started pouring out from every injector fuel return line. Amazingly l found an injector installation kit unopened in the glove compartment with caps, o rings, hose clamps, copper washers, and even fuel line. I replaced the caps, O-rings and fuel return lines and she fired right up!
I HAVE A RUNNING AND DRIVING $500 PROJECT TRUCK!!!

 

Wow! I think you scored a very good deal! I don't know where you live but I would take that truck to a place like we have here in MI, called macco paint. They run deals on complete paint jobs. Even at full price your total price for the truck and paint would be less than 1500, and it would be sweet!

 

Good score, and good save!! It's nice to see things being saved as opposed to hauled off to the scrap yard because of what ends up being a minor little issue.

 

Thanks, that's the plan..... Maybe
I've got my eye on a '39 Ford model 85 1 1/2 ton in a barn with a solid body. This might become a big project. Time (and finances) will tell.
BTW I'm on the treasure coast of Florida about 25 mi north of West Palm Beach, we have Maaco here too.

 

Thanks, I was in the scrap/recycling business for about 15 years (that's why he called me). It's amazing the things that people have paid me to haul away. Over the years I've made a lot of money repairing and reselling many of those..
I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty again.

 

I take it you aren't anymore?

I was gonna suggest you give me a ring if you come across a nice W123 diesel Mercedes with a manual trans that just needs some basic fixing!

 

Rare item! I wasn't really into vehicles. His decision to call me was based on my relationship with local junk yards and scrap yards not my experience with junk vehicles. My business revolved around recycling large generators, very large AC systems and Chillers, but you never know what I'm going to run across. I do still get a lot of phone calls though, I just acquired a Detroit Diesel 3 71 two stroke and a couple of military surplus 24v Scott 35 gal/min. (Available) Diesel transfer pumps. So I guess anything is possible. I will keep my ear to the ground.

 

Indeed! It's amazing the premium older diesel benzes are starting to fetch now. Hell, a 300SD/SDL will fetch more than my Eurospec 500SE.

Wouldn't mind getting my hands on a CUCV too.

 

That's a crew cab which make it an even better score!! Where is the rust? The left side looks pretty damn good. I would hate to see you take it apart for a different project. Find a single cab for that.

 

The rust is mostly roof and hood. It sat for 18 months under a tree with leaves piled on it holding moisture. Not a simple fix but it can be done. On the driver side is has a dent from a sneaky stump that hit the rear door and front of the bed, completely repairable.
I'm re-thinking the 39 Ford model 85 body, it's a complete truck with a good frame and a flathead. I'm thinking the above mentioned 3 71 Detroit diesel might be a good fit for that one. Besides I've been running around in it for a couple weeks and my 142lb Bloodhound (Beauregard) in my avatar has taken to the extra room in the back seat. I was thinking I could take the drivers side rear door and make it open downward like a ramp with the hinges at the bottom to help him with his hip dysplasia.

 

Smokin' deal! And it's not a '91. The return line kit in the glove box, that's almost divine providence.....

I sure wouldn't pull the engine out of that truck. A 4x4 CCLB IDI is an unstoppable work truck; about its only vulnerability is the E4DOA.

 

Not a 91???? The VIN is.

Maybe I need to slow down and make myself clear, I was talking about pulling the flathead out of the '39 and stuffing the Detroit Diesel 3 71 in there, NOT pulling the 7.3 out of the F350. I am a big fan of the 7.3 IDI, this is not my first.

 

Ok, I'm dying to know why you say it's not a '91.

 

^^^^^ Oops, my bad. Front side marker looked like an OBS ('92-up) initially, but I blew up the photo and can see it better now. It does have '92-up taillights, though.

 

WOW! That is a huge dog