Hello, everyone I am new to the 73-79 ford truck forums I did like the bump sides but know like the dent sides. The reason for this is I came across a 1974 Ford F350 Super Camper Special for sale for 8,000 grand and it had only 79,000 original miles on it and lost it to another buy but I road in it and I fell in love with it it had a automatic and a 390 2 tone brown and white color, lost it because the seller was a real jerk about it, but since I am now looking for this model instead of the bump sides I have a couple of question? First what is the best engine to look for I am thinking the 390 because the 460 really is a gas hog or a 360 I would buy also? Another is what is a better transmission the automatic or the manual, and are these trucks fairly hard to find because in the past I have seen more bump sides for sale than super camper special dent sides. I have never owned a classic truck so never have had no experience with them? Thanks Any Help is Appreciated and Merry Christmas to you all!

 

Welcome to the forum. To answer a couple of your questions; The MPG's between a 460 and 390 is not that much different, with the 460 maybe being a little less. A lot depends on driving style (pedal to the metal vs. raw egg under the throttle pedal). 360 may get a little more than the other two choices, but keep in mind that all 3 were not designed for high MPG's. In theory the manual trans should save a little gas due to parasitic losses in the automatic (C6). Rear end gearing as well as tire size/width also factors in too. Maybe some of the members here can give you their feedback with similar trucks. I can't because my 75 F250 4x4 is a whole different animal.
Mark.

 

what's best is a matter of opinion, only you know what you like. when it comes to engine it's not a matter of opinion it's a matter of fact regardless of what the spin doctors try to tell you. the ones to avoid were the 335 series engines made from 77-79, this would be the 351 and 400. while they can be replaced with a 385 series ( 429-460 ) it's a job that requires some effort and expense.

If it's an F250 or F350 2wd you want then the FE or 460 will be easy to find and do you a great job. as far as fuel economy goes all the big V8's suck so I wouldn't get hung up on that issue.

 

If you are going to truly use the truck as a "Camper Special".... I would lean towards the 460 with a manual transmission... With that truck you could do a vintage slide in camper and tour the western United States. If you are just hauling a load of trash to the dump then the 390 with an auto will get the job done..

What is the mission?

Hobo

 

Yes I am just what use it a a daily driver take care of it but use it for work but not camping,

 

Okay thanks for the help also what do you think is better 360 or 390, and I heard the there were only roughly at the max 4,000 super camper specials built or no does anyone know how many were built? And did for example the 74 1 ton come in a 4 speed with a 390 I think it did?

 

Okay thanks for the reply I thought the 351 is a FE motor or am I thinking of the 352 and what is the difference between them both and is the 352 a good motor?

 

The FE ( Ford Edsel ) was an excellent engine that was produced in displacements from 332-428 . there were differences from the early to the late production but the main differences were bore and stroke. the 352 was an FE also but never used in this vintage of pickup.

The 360 and the 390 are essentially the same except for the crank and rods. and most 390's are higher compression and have a 4V. the 360 was always a low compression 2V dog, but a good engine. if you want a little power stick with the 390 4V or the 460.

The 351 came in 2 versions but neither were FE's. you'll only see a 351 in these pickups from 77-79 and they were a 335 series like the 400. avoid them.

 

Bobby Detecting -

Previous owner of my 78' F350 S/CS added throttle body fuel injection and on the drive home from Phoenix the best I could get was 11 MPG. That was truck only hauling nothing and driving 60-65. Total in tanks is (38) between auxilliary and main so I stopped once to top off the auxilliary with (10) gallons at the AZ/CA border. I've owned a 71' F100 (360), a 72' F250 CS (390) and this 78 F350 CS (460) with Trailer Special upgrade and this is, by far, the most capable and well built F-series I've ever owned.

For sale.

Passenger side 460 view (FiTech TBI)

 

Hello,

I have this 1974 Super Camper Special with a detachable rear bumper. It was in the back of the bed when I bought the truck. I havent set it up yet as I have leaks and things that are more of a Priority. (Transmission pan (new) going on with a trans fluid change. Had missing bold was leaking. May check filler tube if it still leaks after the pan replacement. The new pan also has a drain plug addition. I will keep the old OEM parts to include the radiator that has also been replaced. It has a 390 and in addition to the new radiator has new pipes not installed from exhaust manifolds to muffler that I will install.

Has anyone seen a bumper "system" like this. If so do you know if it was factory or does it look custom? I'm going to need to know how to operate the slide etc. Its going to be trial and error I'm sure. I dont think its going on real soon as I wont be registering it anytime soon. I thing the engine has 48 years of oil on it and various caked on exhaust build up etc. I will clean that of to see where there could be leaks as well.

When I bought it I checked for blow by in the heads and there was none. The exhaust was clear and it ran smooth. It has a new carburetor. Tires are old. Interior is real nice with no through rust anywhere. It has that surface rust that I want to treat. I am not going to paint it I want to just inhibit the rust as best I can for now.

I will also add a radiator fan as well. I noticed the transmission cooler is just a small piping system that is bent tube on the side of the engine in front of the steering box. I may add a small fan there as well.
It was never hit, Theres not a ding or dent on it. I am looking forward to getting it out camping but that might be a year or two.

(edit) In addition to the rear bumper questions; I couldn't find anything on the Super Option, I have seen plenty of Camper Specials but I havent seen or figured out exactly what was in the "Super" Option. (?) any links or info on that would be great thanks.
(edit 2) Super info found > "Non “Super” Camper Special versions of the F-100/150 and F-250 were also available (and very popular), but did not use an extended wheelbase." So super must apply to F350s and the extended wheelbase.

 

Telescoping rear bumper appears to be factory or an option for the "Super". It allows you to have something to step on when entering your camper that over hangs the bed. I have seen many trucks with the rear bumper extended without having a camper in the bed. I assumed the mechanism was rusted or frozen and the owner could not get the bumper to scope back in. Your telescoping bumper looks to be in very good condition.

 

It looks in great shape. Thanks. It would be cool to find some Ford literature on it. I'm glad it looks OEM to you as it should be easy to install at some point. I imagine those are kind of rare to find these days. Do you have any idea what the Super Option was in the Camper Special World? Thanks again.

 

My other obvious thought besides a step, it would prevent damage to the camper from a rear end accident. This truck is built like a tank and Im sure anyone running into that bumper in a car these days would have to total their car.