It makes maintenance MUCH easier and usually cheaper, and the truck becomes more driveable and reliable.
Best Value?
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Best Value?
I want to spend a bit of money improving my truck, its a 1980 f-100 with V8 302. I'm just curious what everyone thinks would be the best value for my money. Should i invest in top quality air filters, oil filters, etc....or maybe i'm better of going with basic oem replacements and investing in something else.
Any idea's would be great
P.S. Its a two wheel drive
Any idea's would be great
P.S. Its a two wheel drive
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Well what kind of shape is it in? Body damage, rust, poor running engine or tranny...? How much do you want to spend, what do you plan on using it for, and how long do you plan on keeping the truck for? It sounds like a nice truck, but I need more info
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I guess if it were mine I would go after anything to make it perform better first. Engine upgrades (bolt ons) aluminum intake with a 4bbl carb, headers, dual exhaust, ignition system, and maybe a few chrome dressup accessories (air cleaner, valve covers, etc). I would go through the suspension (shocks, springs, bushings, ball joints, tierod ends, etc). I would try to clean up the interior, maybe add a few accessories ( seat cover, custom steering wheel, tachometer, CD player, CB radio, window tint, new carpet, stuff like that). If it needs a little body work do it right with patch panels and as little body filler as possible, then when all is said and done throw a nice paint job on it maybe some nice tires and rims. That is what I can think of right off hand.
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The body is in good shape, a few dings here and there but no major rust. The engine run's ok but not great, i think when i got it pretty much everything was stock. I've replaced the distributor cap and rotor, the ignition wires and plugs, put in a new ignition module, and a new heater core. My biggest complaint about the engine is it tends to lack power. The auto. tranny is a bit rough and there is a definate rough shift around 20km both up and down. hope this info helps.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
For drivability reasons steve83 is right EFI makes it much nicer to drive especially when it gets cold outside. As for the tranny I would drain and flush it and replace the fluid and filter. I was never too crazy about 302s in trucks. It sounds like it's pretty worn, and it may need a rebuild later on. The carburetor is often the culprit for loss of performance and fuel economy. You might first try replacing the fuel filter, if that doesn't help the carb may need to be overhauled or replaced. It also kind of sounds like you might have a weak fuel pump. At this stage of the game I would mainly concentrate on getting the truck to run good and worry about all the frills later.
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I had been thinking of replacing the carb seeing as i've put in a new fuel filter already. I'm mainly concerned with getting it running in good shape right now, i was just looking for some idea's on area's to start looking at. Should i be getting these parts new or just pick them up at a local auto wrecker. One buddy of mine thinks i should only buy new and another thinks getting everything from the wrecker is good, would a carb and fuel pump from a wrecker be a good idea?
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Fuel pumps are cheap...about 12 bucks for one for my 300 six, I don't think it would be a whole lot more for your 302. As for a carb, you should look into a remanufactured one. Most come with a warranty. I bought a Holley remanned carb at Advance Auto for my 84 for 350 bucks, that is because it's the Carter YFA 1bbl ( they seem to be more expensive). The replacement for your 302 should be less. My buddy bought a remanned 2bbl for his 79 Plymouth 318 for less than 100 bucks. Another reason for the loss of power could be the timing is off. If you plan on keeping this truck for a while, I would recommend you go ahead and just buy new or remanufactured. Good luck!
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I'd do like Steve83 stated. Just about every place ya look now days they have more Late model Wreckers then ya find early model wreckers. Check prices on 93 to 95 Model 302 and 351's with wiring harness. Go with the EFI up grade. I know around here I can find complete EFI 302 and 351's between $400 and $600 price range. Plus if you want a OD tranny with the 93-95 year Models you'll have everything to run the computer controled tranny or stay with a C6 or to the non computer controled AOD. If you go the route of adding a EFI motor see if the wrecker will allow you to disconnect the wiring harnes so you can mark the conctions and have a insite of how it lays out. Plus none of the careless wrecker worker that cuts and rips things to get it out of the way. Just watch what ya do and it'll be a straight forward swap.