Howdy folks.

Recently had the misfortune of inheriting a junker F250.
Belonged to, and abandoned by an uncle of the wife. It's been sitting neglected in a field for the past 20 years, and the elements haven't been kind.
Looks ok from a distance, but washing off the moss and grime showed her true condition..............



Early 1976, Australian assembled, with the original High Compression 250ci 6cyl log head, and 4 speed manual.
She's been stripped of her tub in favour of a home-made 5th wheeler/gooseneck rig.



Contemplating removing the LPG boxes up front, and refurbing the tray with hardwood planks............. or sourcing another styleside tub.
Interior is in fairly good condition, with the "plastic fantastic" dash. Crash pad is toast, so might need to be re-sleeved.





Looks like he had a bit of a wiring problem in the ignition switch area, as it looks a bit toasty, and has been replaced with a sloppy alternative.
Hoping a new xa/xb falcon column shroud, and a new barrel and switch set will clean it up (not sure if it had the barrel with ears, or without).
Also added are switches for L/R LPG tanks, LPG converter, Electronic fuel pump and windscreen washer.



Instrument cluster was taken from the Ford Cortina, and is rather basic. Apparently the Ghia variant also fits, and is a bit fancier, with the inclusion of a tacho.

Ideally she wants a full cab replacement, and new inner and outer guards, bonnet, and radiator support panel. But for the time being, I'll just drive it.
Maybe get some "vanity plates", to set the theme......... tossing up between FBOMB, and REDNECK.

 

 

They used the 250 Falcon six in down under truck?

 

351 Clevelands too!

 

250 log head, and 302 Cleveland were our options from '76. Import of the 240 and 300 had stopped

A few years later, we went to crossflow sixes, and eventually 351 Clevelands.

Interestingly, from what I've read on other forums, is that our big trucks (F350) only got sixes from factory. Not sure about the F250's though.


EDIT - Have seen a sales brochure from '76. The 250ci was standard across the board for all models. 302 was the optional extra.... except for the 4wd, which was still imported with the 300ci, and was not "upgradeable"

 

Now that is a glove box!! Interesting they left the radio in the US factory position...Always interesting vehicles from down under!~

 

I guess the ash-tray was deemed more important........ yet, no lighter fitted.

 

Thanks, that's interesting.

 

Figured, at this stage I might as well keep the flatbed. But those LPG tanks just had to go.
Had a little daylight left when I got home, so I downed a can of beans, grabbed the spanners and went outside to to battle.
The LPG tanks were nearing their expiry date, which means they need to be taken out and sent away for testing.... at considerable cost.
They're in the way anyhow and make the tray almost useless. Not many stations here sell LPG anymore, and unless you run a dedicated system, you're just throwing money away.
Plus, I get to remove the abortion of a wiring job the previous owner had done, which melted the steering column shroud, and can replace his hodge-podge of fuses with the correct ones.

2 tanks and fillers out, before it got too dark and the mozzies came for me.
If the rain holds off, I might give it another crack tomorrow, pulling that box section, and isolating the dodgy electrics.
Then to clean up and paint the frame, and re-line the bed with something other than this thin ally sheet that buckles when you stand on it.

 

Dents are world-class trucks! Always good to see them represented on other continents.

 

Pulled the wiring (which was joined and taped every 12"), and gas converter (which had been mounted onto the firewall with 12!!! 1/2" coach screws.)
Plugged the LPG port in the base of the carby.
Reconnected the heater hoses, and fired her up.

Must be the placebo effect.... but she fired up instantly, idled smoothly, with no knocking/tapping that she had before.
Heater warmed up. No leaks (yet).
She must be a happy old girl.





Next plan is to pull the subaru electric fuel pump that the previous owner installed, and its associated "wiring", and re-fit a new mechanical pump.
New ignition switch, barrel, and short loom/plug if I can find one

 

Wow, those are factory engine mounts? I suppose the hydro clutch is easier than mechanical being RHD.

 

I'm digging the "Limited Edition" oil filter!

It would be interesting (to me and a few others here at least) to do a comparison between the passenger car based 250, and the old 'big block' 240 which was also put in full-size cars.
I wonder if the extra ten cubes makes any noticeable difference, and I wonder if you can feel the larger architecture of the 240.
Either swap 'em into the same truck or find two very similar trucks with each engine.

 

They used the 250 in 72 and 73 Torino's here, seemed so odd to see a Falcon engine under the hood of a full frame vehicle.

 

Ha. Just a standard Ryco Z9 filter. Not sure of the promotion associated with it though.

Engine is an "L" code, high compression 1v, which from my guesstimations, is pretty close, if not equal to the 170hp and 250lb of the 2v variant.
I guess that's probably it's limit without spending big bucks. The 2v gives you a bit of room to play.
Been looking through old sales brochures, and can only see 300's supplied to Aus. Outputs seem very close, either way.


Aint that the truth.
It's funny though, even though the 250 was the default engine in our trucks, I only know of 1 other that actually has (or had) a six. He had that thing worked so hard, it sounded like a big 8 pulling in to work. He ended up swapping it out for a 351, just to get better fuel economy.
Every other truck you see for sale has an 8.