Restoration
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Restoration
I bought a 1974 Ford F-250 Custom in July of '03 without any dent's, rust and only 64,000 miles on it. It was owned by a farmer in Eastern Oregon. The box is beat up as he lived on a gravel road. It has a 360cid 390 in it with the Granny low 4-speed. It runs 9.5 by 16.5 8-ply Bias Belt tires. Other than some dings in the paint and needing a steering wheel and tailgate it is in great shape. I have decided to restore it, but my question is should I go strictly original, or are upgrades like tinted power windows and door locks ok? If I can ever figure out how to post a picture on here I will share my progress with you guy's.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: SD
Sounds like a good pickup - not many with that low mileage...
As far as the resto, if you are going for factory original and resale value, then stick with factory look. I prefer to make it the way I want. My '73 has gotten a lot since I bought it: p/steering, p/brakes, p/windows, tint, carpet, newer seat, cab lights, dual exhaust w/headers, 4 barrel carb, elect ign, '79 grill, ect, ect, ect...
By the way, 360 and 390 are two different motors. They are in the same engine family, but are different motors, check out the FE engine forum for motor info.
Marty
As far as the resto, if you are going for factory original and resale value, then stick with factory look. I prefer to make it the way I want. My '73 has gotten a lot since I bought it: p/steering, p/brakes, p/windows, tint, carpet, newer seat, cab lights, dual exhaust w/headers, 4 barrel carb, elect ign, '79 grill, ect, ect, ect...
By the way, 360 and 390 are two different motors. They are in the same engine family, but are different motors, check out the FE engine forum for motor info.
Marty
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Gainesville, FL
All,
I feel that a factory restoration is the best move. I don't mean the "primodanna" restoration, by any means. The inner wheel wells don't have to have the factory galvanized coating, just paint them a similiar color. If it's a F-100, that doesn't mean you can't put F-150 coils on it to give it a little lift for better sized tires. Get my point?
KingFisher
I feel that a factory restoration is the best move. I don't mean the "primodanna" restoration, by any means. The inner wheel wells don't have to have the factory galvanized coating, just paint them a similiar color. If it's a F-100, that doesn't mean you can't put F-150 coils on it to give it a little lift for better sized tires. Get my point?
KingFisher
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Don't mean to start an argument but the only difference between a 360 and a 390 is the stroke. Both engines have 4.05 in. bores but the 390 has a shorter connecting rod giving it a longer stroke (3.78 for 390 versus 3.50 for 360) or more volume in the combustion chamber, hence a bigger cid. The crank, cam, heads, valves, intake, carb and exhaust are the same. David
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From: I live in Calif. near S.F
I do think your right
74F-250 , ive owned a 73 for over 25 + years, (360 ) and now as of 5/21/03 i own a 75F-250 c/s , with a 390 ( pumped up some ) and the stroke is the difference. Injoy TNTsF-250
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From: San Jose NOR*CAL
My 2 cents: I would go the "Resto Mod" route.
There are so many ways to rebuild restore or modify that no mater what way you do it some one will always say " I would have done this or that to it "
It's your truck I agree with what Beartracks said:How do you plan to use it?
Lay out a plan of what you want to do , and stick to it. I think tinted power windows are good choices.
A "resto-mod" is basicly a restoration with some non original modifications.The idea is to keep the body close to what it looked like when it rolled off the assembley line with some added goodies power window,ac,power locks/doors a modern stereo, non factory paint etc.
Like the old song goes" You can't please everyone ,you gotta please your self"
There are so many ways to rebuild restore or modify that no mater what way you do it some one will always say " I would have done this or that to it "
It's your truck I agree with what Beartracks said:How do you plan to use it?
Lay out a plan of what you want to do , and stick to it. I think tinted power windows are good choices.
A "resto-mod" is basicly a restoration with some non original modifications.The idea is to keep the body close to what it looked like when it rolled off the assembley line with some added goodies power window,ac,power locks/doors a modern stereo, non factory paint etc.
Like the old song goes" You can't please everyone ,you gotta please your self"
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I have decided to do just that. I have already orderdred the power window kit. But before I install it will do the wetherstripping and then get the tinted windows so can istall all at the same time. Thanks for your imput.........
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From: at my house
74 I'd wait on tinting the windows till you are totally done with the power window conversion and new antirattlers,and weatherstripping. Or they might get scratched up when juggeling them around in the doors. just my opinion.
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