I’ve owned a 1970 F100 with 302 and C4 for 10 years now. It had 63,000 on the clock when I got it and now has 75,000. It is a beautiful straight truck with no rust. The rear main seal has been leaking from day one and now that I’m retired I decided it’s time to stop the drip. So out came the engine and tranny yesterday. The C4 has some minor leaks and weeps but that's a topic for another day.

I intend to keep this truck for as long as I am still kicking so, while I am replacing the rear main seal I decided to do some upgrading and also replace anything that may fail short of tearing the engine open. Here's the list of what's going in, along with the obvious minor stuff like belts, hoses, etc.

• Edelbrock Performer 500CFM carb
• Edelbrock Performer intake manifold
• Speedway HEI distributor & 8.5mm wires
• Cloyes variable timing set
• PA Performance 3G alternator
• Gates water pump
• Carter fuel pump
• PS pump
• Melling oil pump
• Aluminum radiator with electric fans
• Sanderson shorty headers

My question for you knowledgeable folks out there is whether there is a benefit to doing the upgrade work in a particular order or just go at it?

Thank in advance for any input since this is my first time tackling a project of this scope... Glenn

 

I've got the same motor and c4 in my 70. Looking forward to following this!

 

Not sure why you think you need a high output alternator. The factoring wiring on these old trucks will not handle the current output on those.

Al radiators are more efficient than the old copper/brass ones. I'm assuming your going dual electric fans. Where 1 of them will be for the AC condenser.

Unless I was rebuilding the motor I would not bother with the oil pump. Just make sure the screen is clean.

Cloyes variable timing set? Not sure it applies to the old 302 V8. Just install a good double roller set.

 

I probably should have specified a 95A alternator, so just a bump up to service the added demand of the radiator fans, not high output like 150 or 200A.

 

Be sure to knock out all the core plugs and flush out the water jackets. Replace them with marine brass plugs.
Also if you do not pull the heads at least replace the valve stem seals.

 

It's your truck and you can do whatever you want with it, but imho, much of what you're looking to do is not upgrades but buying expensive parts and making modifications for no good reason.

The intake, carb and headers might give some meaningful performance gains you may or may not notice. Those can be added anytime, now or later. Be prepared to have the truck towed to a muffler shop to have the exhaust redone.

Changing the ignition system for a Chinese fake GM unit is a fad and will provide more benefit to the CCP than your truck. That is a total waste. It's also big and ugly and most likely will interfere with your air cleaner and other things up front.

If you need a timing chain, you can check that when the pan is off and make that determination. Changing that while the engine is out and apart will be the right time for that. You don't need an expensive adjustable type. A basic double roller will outlast the engine. While it's apart you can put it back together with a new water pump and fuel pump if you want.

The aluminum radiator and electric fans is another large expense that is totally unnecessary. The truck was designed to work perfectly with the stock parts, and have for decades in tens of thousands of trucks. Without that, the larger capacity alternator and associated rewiring of everything is unnecessary. Save your money for something important. Such as...

Adding power steering is a whole other can of worms that is best done as a complete conversion with new steering box, steering column, brackets, pump, lines, etc. It's a big job. It can be done now or later, but do it all together.

That's my 2c. Good luck with your project.

 

I would move away from the carb to FI. You will get better performance with FI and not have to mess with the carb. Not a simple swap since it requires a fuel pump to deliver higher pressure, but very do able. Holly makes a good kit that will self tune.