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I've used RockAuto a number of times, and they have a great selection. The issue for me sometimes is shipping. If you're ordering a bunch of different parts, they can ship from different locations, and the shipping can get very expensive. Ordering kits is usually better than ordering parts piece by piece, saves on shipping, but check the individual parts in the kits carefully to make sure that all of the parts will work for your application. I like the refrigerator magnets that come with each order. Good luck.
What kind of surgery are we talkin'? DIY Cylinder hone, piston rings, & bearings?
Or, major overhaul at the machine shop? I'd be leery of some of those kits, because they are so price competitive. Some parts, "may" not matter so much on the origin, or quality. Solid lifters & camshafts are a different deal. No generic white box from-golly-knows-where stuff for me, thanks. If it craps out, you won't have saved any money. If a machine shop is doing some of the work, find out what or who they recommend and maybe they can get parts for a good price too. NOS parts are awfully tough to beat for general use. RockAuto buys up lots of old inventory, but ya never know exactly what they might send out.
Great information thank you. I'm hoping to get by without a machine shop but i have not torn it down yet. I have a couple other projects to finish before the 64 gets its spot in the shop.
Lots of engines were done that way. With good results. You'll have to stay focused. If you're the "Well I might as well replace ______, as long as we're this far into it." you will be completely hosed. Ask me how I know.
Don't measure anything other than the bores and crank, everything will naturally be out of spec, you'll have to take a second mortgage out and spend $9,500 on parts & machine work.
We're all here to help if you want to decide how to spend it.
I always wanted to be the kind to replace things "since we're this far into it" but for the most part time, cash, or needing something back in service yestetday.got in the way of that. I definitely don't want to band aid anything, just want to get it back on the road. My great grandfather bought it new, and i would love to see my parents driveit again. I can remember all of us piling in the cab in the winter and a lot time spent riding in the bed on nice days.
It's gratifying to get a truly smooth runnin' mochine, and you can say you did it yourself. I would suggest going through the valvetrain. Not necessarily hardened valve seats, just fresh valve springs for example are often overlooked. Do you have the Ford shop manual? It will have all the specs for everything. The problem is it's impossible to know what parts to order until the engine gets disassembled and inspected.
If the bore taper isn't excessive, and cylinders clean up nice a ring & hone job usually gives excellent results. It starts getting more expensive of course once a rebore and oversize pistons are needed. Making sure the coolant passages are super clean is important, lots of sediment and scale accumulates. Lots of things can be done that will make for a better outcome that don't cost much money.
I do not have the shop manual, I have time to find one though. I will definitely look everything over thoroughly and if it does need machine work it will get it. There is a good machine shop here but they stay busy and it generally takes a while to get your parts back.