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Good Morning! A have a 1978 351M Ford F150 Lariat. I recently purchased the air cleaner decal for the top of the air cleaner.
My question is- the present air cleaner looks to be silver (aluminum?). Should I keep it silver, and add the decal, or paint it "Ford" blue and add the decal. What is the best "stock' option? Thanks for any suggestions in advance!
Aluminum sounds to be a later model air cleaner on your M motor, like mid-,late 80s. Ish. Regardless, scuff it down, wipe it clean with some solvent, dust coat it with some primer then hose it down with a can of Ford blue, and most people won't know the difference.
Congrats on a very cool, super dependable truck that will efficiently last you another 40-50 years for pennies on the dollar if you keep up with the basics.
Aluminum sounds to be a later model air cleaner on your M motor, like mid-,late 80s. Ish. Regardless, scuff it down, wipe it clean with some solvent, dust coat it with some primer then hose it down with a can of Ford blue, and most people won't know the difference.
Congrats on a very cool, super dependable truck that will efficiently last you another 40-50 years for pennies on the dollar if you keep up with the basics.
Thanks! That sounds like a plan! I do try to stay up on the basics! That truck is a great daily driver to work. I get many compliments, and the price was right - the bonus, only 79000 miles on it.
I'm not sure they were aluminum I thought they were zinc coated steel. either way they were silver.
If you care at all it needs to stay silver, and if your finish is getting old duplicating it won't be easy. Eastwood's silver cad or something like that would be about as good as anything I've found. though I used silver Rustoleum Hammertite on my fender aprons and while I'm not thrilled with it I think it looks closer to original than most options.
I'm not sure they were aluminum I thought they were zinc coated steel. either way they were silver.
If you care at all it needs to stay silver, and if your finish is getting old duplicating it won't be easy. Eastwood's silver cad or something like that would be about as good as anything I've found. though I used silver Rustoleum Hammertite on my fender aprons and while I'm not thrilled with it I think it looks closer to original than most options.
The finish is actually pretty good. I think I will just keep it silver. I might as well throw the decal on it as I already have it from LMC.
What hood liner is that Rich? Custom owner-made, or off-the-shelf stuff?
Thanks
I had my air cleaner housing ceramic coated and love it. Not sure the thermal barrier coating will make any more power, but at least I know I did what I could to keep the intake air as cool as I could.
And it looks kind of cool too! Not stock by any stretch, but hey, it's still silver at least.
To the original poster, unless you are restoring your truck to exact original spec, do your air cleaner however you like it. IF you like it painted blue and IF you like the sticker, then by all means do it. None of the mentioned presentations seem gaudy or out of the realm of factory presented possibilities. At least on my truck that is what I do and it seems to keep me happy and I interested.
Mine didn't come with a decal, but I ordered one none the less. However... mine did come painted blue. I just got it done the other day. Just waiting on the decal.
it's your truck, if you want it blue, than go for it.
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