Money pit?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 101
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From: Ohio
Because depending on what type it is, it could be worth more restored than one thats a little nicer but doesnt need as much work ie. Highboy compared to 2-wheel drive F-100. Plus like grape said, there is a satisfaction in knowing that truck literally wouldnt be there without your hard work. Also by doing it this way, you know whats in the truck, because you put it all in there!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
All,
I bought my first Truck in 1984. A 76 F100 Custom. Everything worked the day i bought it. I didn't know a whole lot about cars/trucks back then, relatively, and time and rust took its toll on the old beauty. I still have it. I swear, I'll restore it to its original condition, PLUS! It's expensive and time consuming. It's important to me. Find something you care about and invest in it. Otherwise, move along, until you do find something to care about.
KingFisher
PS That idea applies to more than just trucks.
I bought my first Truck in 1984. A 76 F100 Custom. Everything worked the day i bought it. I didn't know a whole lot about cars/trucks back then, relatively, and time and rust took its toll on the old beauty. I still have it. I swear, I'll restore it to its original condition, PLUS! It's expensive and time consuming. It's important to me. Find something you care about and invest in it. Otherwise, move along, until you do find something to care about.
KingFisher
PS That idea applies to more than just trucks.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Southern Arizona
An update:
I rebuilt the carbuerator this morning. I was going to do it this weekend but just could wait any longer. So I skipped work and went at it.
The task went fairly smoothly. I had never rebuilt a carb before, so I wasn't really expecting to accomplish much today. Thankfully, I was wrong.
It started up pretty easily. I think I spent about 10 minutes messing with the setting screws until it was idling fairly well at the leanest mixture it would keep running at.
When it failed emissions earlier this week, the initial idle reading on it for carbon was something like 9.5. I took it over today and it read at 0.07. Gotta say I'm feeling a lot better about the purchase right now
.
Tomorrow will see the truck getting new tires and a new windshield.
I rebuilt the carbuerator this morning. I was going to do it this weekend but just could wait any longer. So I skipped work and went at it.
The task went fairly smoothly. I had never rebuilt a carb before, so I wasn't really expecting to accomplish much today. Thankfully, I was wrong.
It started up pretty easily. I think I spent about 10 minutes messing with the setting screws until it was idling fairly well at the leanest mixture it would keep running at.
When it failed emissions earlier this week, the initial idle reading on it for carbon was something like 9.5. I took it over today and it read at 0.07. Gotta say I'm feeling a lot better about the purchase right now
.Tomorrow will see the truck getting new tires and a new windshield.
Last edited by Tonyb7; Oct 9, 2003 at 07:31 PM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
Congratulations, Tony. You are well on your way to being a Ford mechanic, lol. Most things, you'll find, are quite abit easier after you've done them. I rebuilt my first carb when I was 17, a 1 barrel for my F-150. I could have sworn it would take me hours. Took 20 minutes. All it takes is alittle faith 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
O ye of little faith,
That Motorcraft two-barrel has got to be the simplest carb ever built. If you can set the float height, your in the money. I've actually rebuilt them without removing them from the vehicle. Once the top cover is off, you have access to all the goods required to do a decent job. You've got to love these old trucks. I rebuilt a carb on a late 80's Jap truck once and it took me 8 hours! I got paid for my time, so I can't complain. Lov'em if you've got'em.
KingFisher
That Motorcraft two-barrel has got to be the simplest carb ever built. If you can set the float height, your in the money. I've actually rebuilt them without removing them from the vehicle. Once the top cover is off, you have access to all the goods required to do a decent job. You've got to love these old trucks. I rebuilt a carb on a late 80's Jap truck once and it took me 8 hours! I got paid for my time, so I can't complain. Lov'em if you've got'em.
KingFisher
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 1
From: lino lakes, mn
hey ya live in southerern az.what better shopping area is there for a rust free body I found a rust free body in texas imported to minnesota did a body swap all for less than 1500 dollars including driving to texas to get it it aint to tough and if you got 6 buddies lifiting a cab can be done without alott of tools you yes you could end up with a clean 4x4 classic and they don't buildem like they used to anymore you have a good driveline for a base
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
That carb rebuild will also do wonders for your gas mileage. It makes it easier to start too. You start to thinking and then you want to do more. I have plans for a lot of stuff, starting with a motor rebuild.
Sometimes I get mad at my old truck, but it starts every time I turn the key, and if it gives me any trouble its only going to be the fuel or electrical system. The motor is basic maintenance, everything else is easily accomplished with a Chiltons manual, I prefer Chiltons to Haynes, I think they are easier to read.
Sometimes I get mad at my old truck, but it starts every time I turn the key, and if it gives me any trouble its only going to be the fuel or electrical system. The motor is basic maintenance, everything else is easily accomplished with a Chiltons manual, I prefer Chiltons to Haynes, I think they are easier to read.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
I agree with Chilton's being easier in decyphering the procedures, but I think Haynes has better diagrams. So,, I have both(not too mention all the other nonsense). Never leave out a possibly valuable source.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 851
Likes: 15
From: Elkton, MD
How much rust does the truck have, what people call a rusty truck out west is probally what us in maryland with all the salt call real nice. supercab 4x4's are real hard to find, especially a 3/4 ton. I like the chiltons over the haynes manual, but my 78 ford shop manuals are the best thing out there. I think they sell them on cd online here, but I found an original set, nothing beats using the original.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 40
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From: Southern Arizona
By a lot of rust, I mean I can see through the floor in several places if I peel back the carpet and mat. The bed has several rusted-through holes. Pretty much the lower 2-3 inches of all the sheet metal panels are rusted to the point of flaking away or already gone. The windshield was replaced yesterday, and when the old one was taken off, we found quite a lot of rusted holes up at the top portion of the frame.
All of the external wiring I have looked at so far is completely corroded. The wiring doesn't bother me much because its about the only aspect of car repair I am truly confident about. I may just completely re-wire the entire truck for kicks. I was going to do that to my '62 Ranchero before I had to sell it a couple years ago (still kicking myself for that).
I'm not worried about the rust much right now. The truck is solid in the frame, and I'm not too concerned with appearance at this point. It will just be another challenge when it comes time to begin purtyin' it up.
All of the external wiring I have looked at so far is completely corroded. The wiring doesn't bother me much because its about the only aspect of car repair I am truly confident about. I may just completely re-wire the entire truck for kicks. I was going to do that to my '62 Ranchero before I had to sell it a couple years ago (still kicking myself for that).
I'm not worried about the rust much right now. The truck is solid in the frame, and I'm not too concerned with appearance at this point. It will just be another challenge when it comes time to begin purtyin' it up.
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