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Hi there,
I've been lurking for a couple days but finally took the leap. And I took the leap a on Tuesday when I bought a 76 F250 4x4 flatbed. Saw the truck on craigslist and after having and selling a 67 mustang coupe, 66 mustang fastback, and a 65 F100 truck, I thought it was time to jump back in.
The truck is rough but I love it that way. Not sure if this means anything but its got a 4 speed, 390 360, power brakes (front discs), power assist steering, and an HD front axle front hubs. My goals are to stop / remediate the rust while keeping the sheet metal as original as possible. I would, however, redo the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, etc.
Couple questions if you don't mind:
1. How much hate would I get if I put a 300ci inline 6 in the truck instead of the 390. I just really love that engine.
2. This might be against the rules but who do you like for parts? Especially brakes and suspension? that's where I'm going to start first. Looks like there are lots of vendors out there but from my other automotive adventures, I know they are not the same.
Here's a few pics!
Last edited by Texasyeti2021; Apr 30, 2021 at 09:11 PM.
Looks like a solid rig! I don't think you'd get any hate for going to a 300, nobody here really bashes for that sort of thing. I run a 300 in my 76
As far as parts go, it kinda depends. Basic wear parts in the brakes like pads/shoes and rotors/drums I just get locally from NAPA, doesn't need to be anything special. I got shocks for mine off Rockauto, Monroe brand. They're cheap and did the trick. If you're looking for restoration parts, you've got LMC Truck, Dennis Carpenter, Macs Auto, among others.
The 300 would have been a factory option and is a great engine. They can really be woken up with some work, too. For wear item parts, as stated Napa is a good source. I think my brake items have been Raybestos and centric, but haven’t had an issue. LMC is notorious for selling others parts for a premium. Very rarely do they have something another vendor doesn’t, or a better price. Bad return policy too. I try not to use them. I like NPD as they usually tell you who manufactured the part, and provide the parts numbers for cross reference, unlike LMC who uses a proprietary number and no info as to manufacturer. Free shipping over $300, which is pretty easy to hit.
The 300 would have been a factory option and is a great engine. They can really be woken up with some work, too. For wear item parts, as stated Napa is a good source. I think my brake items have been Raybestos and centric, but haven’t had an issue. LMC is notorious for selling others parts for a premium. Very rarely do they have something another vendor doesn’t, or a better price. Bad return policy too. I try not to use them. I like NPD as they usually tell you who manufactured the part, and provide the parts numbers for cross reference, unlike LMC who uses a proprietary number and no info as to manufacturer. Free shipping over $300, which is pretty easy to hit.
Great information! I appreciate you sharing the wisdom!
Cool truck and who doesn't love the 300? Legendary engine. As far as parts, it's really wide open as these trucks are really becoming very popular. What I do is use the search to get advice on the parts. Do this by hitting the "Threads" button at the top right hand of the page then click on "advanced" then the search page pops up, on the left side I enter what I'm looking for and then the drop down for "search threads" then at the bottom right of the page scroll until you see 73-79 trucks then enter. You will get very solid feedback on where to buy and what manufacturer to use. The guys on this forum know what will and what won't work.
Hooray in Helena. Cool truck and who doesn't love the 300? Legendary engine. As far as parts, it's really wide open as these trucks are really becoming very popular. What I do is use the search to get advice on the parts. Do this by hitting the "Threads" button at the top right hand of the page then click on "advanced" then the search page pops up, on the left side I enter what I'm looking for and then the drop down for "search threads" then at the bottom right of the page scroll until you see 73-79 trucks then enter. You will get very solid feedback on where to buy and what manufacturer to use. The guys on this forum know what will and what won't work.
Great information and tips!
For the community: what is a reasonable cruising speed for a truck with a 4:10's? I drove it home the other night and it did not seem to want to go faster than 45 mph. Couldn't really hear the engine because of the exhaust leak so I'm not sure how hard it MIGHT have been pushing it. I saw another thread where people were saying 75, 80, and even higher but they seemed geared higher.
Based on a fourth gear ratio of 1:1,4.10 ring/pinion, and guestimated 32" tires, at 45mph you're turning 2000rpm. 75-80mph is going to put you about 3200-3500rpm.
Based on a fourth gear ratio of 1:1,4.10 ring/pinion, and guestimated 32" tires, at 45mph you're turning 2000rpm. 75-80mph is going to put you about 3200-3500rpm.
Thanks for that. I need to fix my exhaust leak and get a tachometer!
Don't worry about the hate factor. I personally would NEVER replace a 360/390 in that truck with a 300. Yea the 300 is good but that's a heavy truck. No substitute for cubic inches to move that thing down the road. Then heaven forbid you want to tow something.
With the 5 highboys I've had, 4 speeds or C6s I always felt they love 55 and anything over 60 was putting the engine RPMs higher than comfortable for "sustained" open highway driving. Sure it'll do more than 60 no problem, but its up to the driver's personal preference how hard they want to run it.
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