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Hey everyone! New to the forum. Picked up a 1978 f150 custom a little over a month ago. 19k miles, definitely rolled over at least once. 300, 4spd manual. Got her for $1700. No rust anywhere but maintenance wise definitely neglected based on my first oil change! Did a full tune up and is running much better minus a high idle when warmed up. Attached a few pictures! Original paint minus someone trying to rattle can the hood.
How long was the truck sitting? It is most likely in need of a carb overhaul. Kits are inexpensive and there are great step by step guides available.
It wasn't so much sitting, but the guy I bought it from was using it for a trailer park maintenance truck. So it was a little neglected. I'm sure things are going to pop up, next on the list is a new valve cover gasket since its seeping. Doesn't seem too difficult. Bought this to learn on and have fairly small mechanical knowledge, but did the tune up and everything by myself. These 300 seem very easy to do normal maintenance on.
Welcome to FTE
Looks like a solid truck what are your plans with it?
Looks like someone cleared over a truck that needs a paint job don't know why they do that?
Dave ----
Nice truck! But don't sell it short by saying it has "small issues". You'll discover bigger issues,....and have a blast fixing them! And the folks here will provide lots of information and help. Welcome!
Welcome to FTE
Looks like a solid truck what are your plans with it?
Looks like someone cleared over a truck that needs a paint job don't know why they do that?
Dave ----
Nope wasn't cleared! I just put a little shine juice on it. It could definitely go for a paint job, I was just trying to sparkle her up a little bit. Plans wise not sure. Throwout bearing is a little rattly, and i'm getting some chatter in "2nd", so i'm sure a clutch will be next at some point.
Nice truck! But don't sell it short by saying it has "small issues". You'll discover bigger issues,....and have a blast fixing them! And the folks here will provide lots of information and help. Welcome!
hahaha thank you. Yes small issues was more of my positive thinking. Just the tune up had her running 10x better. She would get a little surgy going over 40 but that has completely smoothed out now. The previous owner redid the brakes right before I bought it, but don't think they were bled because they are a little spongy. I'm putting about 25 miles a day on her. Today I noticed what felt like oil dripping onto the passenger floor board on the side of the hump. Any ideas?
Nope wasn't cleared! I just put a little shine juice on it. It could definitely go for a paint job, I was just trying to sparkle her up a little bit. Plans wise not sure. Throwout bearing is a little rattly, and i'm getting some chatter in "2nd", so i'm sure a clutch will be next at some point.
Ok from the picture it looked like clear. As you could tell I am not part of that fad of clearing over a truck that needs a paint job.
If you are going to spend the time and money to do the clear just paint it! That is what really shows your skills.
Originally Posted by Peter41
hahaha thank you. Yes small issues was more of my positive thinking. Just the tune up had her running 10x better. She would get a little surgy going over 40 but that has completely smoothed out now. The previous owner redid the brakes right before I bought it, but don't think they were bled because they are a little spongy. I'm putting about 25 miles a day on her. Today I noticed what felt like oil dripping onto the passenger floor board on the side of the hump. Any ideas?
What do you have on the floor rug or rubber mat?
The only thing on that side is the heater core and they have been known to leak and soak rugs and takes for ever to dry.
I would say if you lived where it was colder does the inside glass fog up and not clear if you wipe it? Do you smell a sweet smell when the truck is up to temp and heater turned on low?
All signs of a bad heater core and yes it feels kind of oily.
If you don't need the heater right now and need to use the truck find a short pipe nipple that will fit inside the heater hoses and join the 2 together bypassing the heater core till you can get it replaced.
Dave ----
Ok from the picture it looked like clear. As you could tell I am not part of that fad of clearing over a truck that needs a paint job.
If you are going to spend the time and money to do the clear just paint it! That is what really shows your skills.
What do you have on the floor rug or rubber mat?
The only thing on that side is the heater core and they have been known to leak and soak rugs and takes for ever to dry.
I would say if you lived where it was colder does the inside glass fog up and not clear if you wipe it? Do you smell a sweet smell when the truck is up to temp and heater turned on low?
All signs of a bad heater core and yes it feels kind of oily.
If you don't need the heater right now and need to use the truck find a short pipe nipple that will fit inside the heater hoses and join the 2 together bypassing the heater core till you can get it replaced.
Dave ----
Ya it definitely shined it up. I won't be joining the fad of clearcoating a patina, I'll just save up to have it painted the factory dark blue. Nope located in Phoenix so the heater definitely wont be necessary. I'll try turning it on and see what sort of smell comes out. This was definitely black oil, just not a clue where it came from. Just drove a few miles and no new leak so I'm not sure. It only happened once. It had a makeshift carpet kit installed, and by makeshift I mean someone cut out a square of house carpet and bolted it in. I have since removed all of that and put down a couple rubber mats. Needless to say, the truck smells much better now.
hahaha thank you. Yes small issues was more of my positive thinking. Just the tune up had her running 10x better. She would get a little surgy going over 40 but that has completely smoothed out now. The previous owner redid the brakes right before I bought it, but don't think they were bled because they are a little spongy. I'm putting about 25 miles a day on her. Today I noticed what felt like oil dripping onto the passenger floor board on the side of the hump. Any ideas?
Is there an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the dash? There's two types. One works off an electric signal. One has a small nylon hose that is routed directly to the main oil gallery. I accidently snagged one of those hoses with my foot in my friend's truck, and it lubed my legs and the floorboard. Dumba$$ should have routed it better.
Is there an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the dash? There's two types. One works off an electric signal. One has a small nylon hose that is routed directly to the main oil gallery. I accidently snagged one of those hoses with my foot in my friend's truck, and it lubed my legs and the floorboard. Dumba$$ should have routed it better.
Nope there sure isn't. Really no idea where it came from. I wiped my finger around a black plastic seam and a little came off there, but drove it around earlier and nothing since.
Is there an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the dash? There's two types. One works off an electric signal. One has a small nylon hose that is routed directly to the main oil gallery. I accidently snagged one of those hoses with my foot in my friend's truck, and it lubed my legs and the floorboard. Dumba$$ should have routed it better.
I was going to ask the same thing butI see he said he does not have a after market gauge so don't know where it could come from?
Wiper motor & linkage up under the dash on your truck? If so may be from it?
As for adding one DO NOT use the plastic line that comes with the gauges.
As posted it is easy to break it and over time the plastic dries out and becomes vary brittle and just normal vibration it can break.
Auto Meter sells a copper line kit for a replacement that is the way to go with a aftermarket oil gauge.
FUEL GAUGES NEVER GET RUN INSIDE THE CAB!
Dave ----
I was going to ask the same thing butI see he said he does not have a after market gauge so don't know where it could come from?
Wiper motor & linkage up under the dash on your truck? If so may be from it?
As for adding one DO NOT use the plastic line that comes with the gauges.
As posted it is easy to break it and over time the plastic dries out and becomes vary brittle and just normal vibration it can break.
Auto Meter sells a copper line kit for a replacement that is the way to go with a aftermarket oil gauge.
FUEL GAUGES NEVER GET RUN INSIDE THE CAB!
Dave ----
Thanks for all of the insight! I think I need to replace the heater core, because I can't imagine its ever been done. Plus, seems fairly straight forward. I'm going to get a flashlight and take a look under the glove box after work and see if there's anything that sticks out that would cause it. All the gauges work, however I am curious about the temp gauge. The previous owner said it has a new thermostat but it takes a while to warm up. And when it does, it will hover right around the O and R in "Normal". I'm constantly looking at it being in 100+ degree temps. Would replacing the heater core also help it run cooler?
The only time I can see a heater core (mini radiator) helping to cool a motor is if the heat is turned on.
If something is over heating and you need to get just a little bit more down the road turn the heat on full blast.
My 81 with a 300 six temp run at about the same place on the gauge. I have a 2nd new 195* stat installed, I pulled out a new 195* stat that might of stuck open?, but what I found was the temp sending unit was making the gauge read low. I changed it out and the gauge came up to where it is now. I also have a new ALUM. / Plastic radiator old leaked when I flushed it.
Now "do as I say not as I do" you need to see just what the motor is running at temp wise.
Can use a after market gauge installed, this can be hard on some motors finding a place to install the sender, or use an I.R. temp gun pointed at the stat housing and radiator should give a close reading of the temp.
I have a I.R. gun but have not used it now that the gauge shows higher.
Looking for the "black leak" could it be something in the glove box that is leaking out?
Dave ----
The only time I can see a heater core (mini radiator) helping to cool a motor is if the heat is turned on.
If something is over heating and you need to get just a little bit more down the road turn the heat on full blast.
My 81 with a 300 six temp run at about the same place on the gauge. I have a 2nd new 195* stat installed, I pulled out a new 195* stat that might of stuck open?, but what I found was the temp sending unit was making the gauge read low. I changed it out and the gauge came up to where it is now. I also have a new ALUM. / Plastic radiator old leaked when I flushed it.
Now "do as I say not as I do" you need to see just what the motor is running at temp wise.
Can use a after market gauge installed, this can be hard on some motors finding a place to install the sender, or use an I.R. temp gun pointed at the stat housing and radiator should give a close reading of the temp.
I have a I.R. gun but have not used it now that the gauge shows higher.
Looking for the "black leak" could it be something in the glove box that is leaking out?
Dave ----
Yep tried that exactly! The day I got her and was driving home I thought it might running a little warm, so I turned the heater on and it definitely didn't sound like it was functioning how it was supposed to. I took the vent part off with those 4 screws and started pulling out handfuls of dry leaves and sticks. None of it was wet, but safe to assume it was regularly parked under a tree. I have never been close to overheating, I just feel like since it takes so long to warm up, might be a thermostat issue even though it was just replaced. Nope theres nothing in the glove box, or whats left of the paper insert.
