When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am excited to be joining the Forum. I just purchased my first classic truck, a 1965 F250 today. I have owned several newer F150's, but this is my first classic and I am excited to turn a few wrenches on this one. However, I don't have a lot of experience so I already have a couple of questions.
First, the truck has a 390 and has good power, but it is really hard to get it to the ground from a stop. You have to barely touch the gas or the rear tire bounces, shakes, and chirps so you kind of have to feather it to get it rolling, then you can get into the gas and it is fine. Would this be resolved or helped by replacing the rear shocks or do you think I am totally off base that this is the issue?
Second, I believe I have a C6 transmission, but the floor shifter is clearly not stock and appears to be somewhat rigged up like they pulled it out of some kind of car and used it. Drive is actually somewhere between D and 2 which is weird. Plus it is all busted up so I would like to replace it when I add carpet and redo the sear. What suggestions would you have on a good choice to use as a replacement? Would that be something I should have a pro do or take on myself?
Third, there is a ton on play in the steering wheel. I would assume this would probably be the steering box. Is this something a novice could likely change out or something to leave to the pros.
Finally, what is this in the final picture. It is clearly disconnected.
I am excited to be joining the Forum. I just purchased my first classic truck, a 1965 F250 today. I have owned several newer F150's, but this is my first classic and I am excited to turn a few wrenches on this one. However, I don't have a lot of experience so I already have a couple of questions.
First, the truck has a 390 and has good power, but it is really hard to get it to the ground from a stop. You have to barely touch the gas or the rear tire bounces, shakes, and chirps so you kind of have to feather it to get it rolling, then you can get into the gas and it is fine. Would this be resolved or helped by replacing the rear shocks or do you think I am totally off base that this is the issue?
Second, I believe I have a C6 transmission, but the floor shifter is clearly not stock and appears to be somewhat rigged up like they pulled it out of some kind of car and used it.
Not sure what this is? Should I reconnect it? Windshield washer motor.
Welcome to FTE
390 and C6 (if that's what they really are) swapped in, as is the floor shifter...from a car.
Original V8 would be the 352 2V (looks exactly like a 390), A/T would be the MX Cruise-O-Matic, but I wonder if the truck originally came with an A/T
The extension on the column (takes the place of the 3 M/T & A/T shift collars) was only used with a 4 speed.
Post a pic of the Warranty Plate, riveted to the left door face below the latch. All the codes can be decoded.
Welcome to FTE. Nice truck.
As far as the wheel chirp goes I'm thinking brakes locking up or something of that sort. Unless the engine is so over built that you're smoking the tires. I'm sure others will chime in though..
The shifter being off would tell me that you've got a cruise-omatic not a C6. Possibly a stick shift originally and switched to an automatic. That could explain no shifter on the column. The cruise-omatic has a different shift sequence than a C6 and a mismatched shifter could explain that. Count the bolts on the transmission pan to identify.
Steering gear is easy to change. Check the rag joint as well.
Last picture shows windshield washer pump. Should be mounted on firewall though.
Welcome to FTE. Nice truck.
As far as the wheel chirp goes I'm thinking brakes locking up or something of that sort. Unless the engine is so over built that you're smoking the tires. I'm sure others will chime in though..
The shifter being off would tell me that you've got a cruise-omatic not a C6. Possibly a stick shift originally and switched to an automatic. That could explain no shifter on the column. The cruise-omatic has a different shift sequence than a C6 and a mismatched shifter could explain that. Count the bolts on the transmission pan to identify.
Steering gear is easy to change. Check the rag joint as well.
Last picture shows windshield washer pump. Should be mounted on firewall though.
welcome to FTE! Looks like a nice ‘65 250
windshield washer pump is in correct location. The black wire with white stripe is power wire for it.
Kinda blurry pics but the shifter looks like 1969 Mustang/Cougar
390 and C6 (if that's what they really are) swapped in, as is the floor shifter...from a car.
Original V8 would be the 352 2V (looks exactly like a 390), A/T would be the MX Cruise-O-Matic, but I wonder if the truck originally came with an A/T
The extension on the column (takes the place of the 3 M/T & A/T shift collars) was only used with a 4 speed.
Post a pic of the Warranty Plate, riveted to the left door face below the latch. All the codes can be decoded.
The guy said the motor was from a Thunderbird (s code?). I am not sure if it was a auto originally. He said the transmission was a C6 but didn't say what it was from. Of course he could have been wrong. I counted the bolts on the bottom as someone else suggested. There are 14. Not sure what that means. I will post the Warranty Plate although it is somewhat hard to read in the picture.
The guy said the motor was from a Thunderbird (s code?). I am not sure if it was a auto originally. He said the transmission was a C6 but didn't say what it was from. Of course he could have been wrong. I counted the bolts on the bottom as someone else suggested. There are 14. Not sure what that means. I will post the Warranty Plate although it is somewhat hard to read in the picture.
F25 = F250 2WD
D = 352 2V
L = Michigan Truck Assembly Plant.
698289 = 1965.
129" Wheelbase.
W = Marlin Blue.
F251 = F250 2WD; 4,800 lbs. GVWR
B81: B = Medium Blue Crush Vinyl & Medium Blue Ladder Pattern Woven Plastic / 81 = 81B Custom Cab.
The guy said the motor was from a Thunderbird (s code?). I am not sure if it was a auto originally. He said the transmission was a C6 but didn't say what it was from. Of course he could have been wrong. I counted the bolts on the bottom as someone else suggested. There are 14. Not sure what that means.
Considering the 390 & MX Cruise-O, both probably came from a 1965/66 Galaxie/LTD or a Thunderbird or a Mercury Monterey.[/QUOTE]
I took a couple of pictures of the numbers I could see on the engine. With these numbers, can you tell me what year and model this engine came from. I would like to buy a manual for the engine to help guide me in future work.
05-26-2018, 05:04 PM
