My son is about to turn 15 and has really started getting interested in cars and was even excited to help change the oil in my '05 ranger. So I thought what the heck, and picked up a '65 with a 352fe to wrench on together. I don't even know much about car mechanics so it will be a learning exercise for both of us! We inspected it and found the brake lights weren't coming on but the turn signals did, and after looking at the wires they are pretty ghastly so bought the AAW update kit. We changed the oil and coolant, replace the upper rad hose. Removed the fog lights and interior lights that the PO added. Removed the seat and gave it a good cleaning. The cab looks pretty rust free, some holes in the bed where you would expect water to sit and also the radiator support has some holes. Underside is just surface rust that I can see. I don't know where those mirrors came from. We'll start the wiring this weekend, goal is to drive it to next Cars and Coffee. I think a brake upgrade and exhaust is probably next, it has aftermarket headers of some kind but only one muffler looking thing (maybe a glass pack). The air cleaner looks small to me? But the distributor looks to be in the way, I'm pretty sure it is a summit deal (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...ew/make/ford)? Some pics:

 

Congratulations on all counts....that's going to be quality time for him growing up. He's probably sharp and can certainly help you research all your potential questions. The distributor is large because it's an HEI, not original. While you're at it, he can learn to do a quality brake job in the interest of safety. These trucks aren't too difficult to work on and everything that you both learn applies to just about any other vehicle's basic functions. Also, just about everything that you need to know is here on the forum.

 

Nice looking truck. Unless you want to have everything original I'd keep the HEI.

 

Congratulations! I did the same thing with my 15 year old.
The brake light problem is possibly the switch that's mounted on the brake line, near the firewall. If it is this original inline style, these are reported to be notoriously flakey.
I did the AAW kit. I like the results, but it's a bit of work. Give yourself time, or drive it for awhile more before you get into it. I would suggest to not start by tearing out all the existing wires all at once. Do it piece by piece so you have a bit of a roadmap from the existing stuff.

 

Thanks everyone! Yes, going to stick with the HEI. Not particularly concerned with keeping it all original except the modern stereo head unit and speakers in the lower door panels look way out of place so those might have to go at some point.

It does look like the brake switch is bad, ohm meter stays at infinity when pedal is smashed. Haven't checked the brake fluid yet because the cap seems to be welded on.

Good advice on the wiring 66F250_4x4. The kit looks pretty daunting out of the box! First problem we had was removing the old fuse box, screws were not budging so just cut the thing out with a dremel. Second, the 1-wire alternator we bought doesn't fit with the original brackets, hits the block on the back so got a universal bracket from summit, should be here today.

First goal is to just get it started again after wiring the engine bits back up.

Fun times!

 

BTW, if you haven't done it already, a simple thread search for 'AAW' turns up a bunch of potentially useful info, such as ideas on where to mount the fuse block, etc.

 

You say the master cap is "welded on" so I am guessing it screws on and only 1 brake line coming out of it?
If so one of the first things I would do is replace it with a dual master used on modern cars & trucks.
If you get a leak in the system ANYWHERE you have no brakes with what you got.
With a dual master you only loose half the system, pedal goes to almost to the floor but it will stop and why they are used today.

My dad had a 60's Chevy C10 and did not even like to move it in the yard with the single master and I was told all brake lines were new, still did not trust the single system.
Dave ----

 

Yep, after re-wiring to make sure it doesn't burn to the ground, brakes are next, dual master cylinder and probably discs on front at least.

Got the alternator bracket from summit, it was a little long so cut off a bit and fits fine. A trip to the local auto parts store for a longer belt and good to go!

 

You probably already got this covered. That HEI looks like mine. The air filter in mine got in the way after the stock HEI. You can buy a spacer and longer stud that comes in adjustable pieces. Just be careful not to adjust it to high or you'll smack your hood with the stud.

 

@sonfun65,

This is a cool project you have going here. We like seeing folks get their kids involved with their automotive projects. It puts a smile on our faces knowing we'll have fellow enthusiasts for generations to come