I have a '71 F100, this forum helped show me how/where to install speakers on a truck, which is just a sample of how useful it is. Thanks to the admins and everyone for keeping it running well.

On to my question, how hard/how much would it cost to put a 5spd into my currently 4spd F100? I'm thinking whole new gear box. Also, the engine has 129/229 (can't tell, kind of annoying, doesn't go to the hundred thousand mark), it was sitting 10 years before I bought it, and the oil that came out was gunky. Do you think I should bother with synthetic and risk leaks or just leave good enough alone? It has the 390FE, which I enjoy the @#$% out of, even if I don't enjoy the gas mileage.

Also, my stick is pretty wobbly. I put a new piece of metal (sorry, don't know name) in the little hole thatk eeps it straight and secure, the other one damn near fell out, this one is night and tight, but it still wobbles. Do you think it will have to wait until I have the cash monies to put in a 5spd (if possible), or is there any ohher remedy I can try now?

The truck by and large was a steal at $400, it runs, new brake system, tune up, straight body (no accidents, it was purely a farm truck), and only minor rust on the body, exempting the bed which is understandably rusty, I'm in Washington you see. This was I'm guessing long before bed liners and it didn't have a camper on the back. Still, for $400 and it runs well, even after sitting for 10 years, I'm more than happy with it.

If this has been brought up before I'm sorry, but I didn't know what to search for.

If this is also hard to read I apologize, just got off of work and I'm dead tired.

Thanks in advance,
Robert West

OH

The cigarette lighter when I got the truck worked, but now all of a sudden it doesn't. I don't know what the problem could be, but I wouldn't think it would just stop. Having no cup holders or places to throw change or anything I have to keep my lighter in my jeans, and if you're driving a stick and are a smoker you know how it can be a hassle in stop and go traffic to get a light. I miss the cigarette lighter a lot, any suggestions there? Should I go to a junk yard and just see if a new one works? Thanks again.

 

howdy rob! im not quite sure about your tranny problem, as i'm looking to put a 4 speed in myself, but as for the cigarette lighter, you should get a voltmeter and check to see if its getting 12 volts. if not, perhaps the cause is bad wiring or a blown fuse. hope this helps.

 

the 5 spd may be a problem, ford never made a 5 spd with the f e bell housing.

try another lighter element and see if that cures your lighter problem.
if that doesnt do it, pull over!

mabey the lighter going out is a sign that you should quit smoking. wish my lighter would go out. naaaahhhhh, i would go buy another truck before i quit!


jim

 

lol
Thanks for the help.

I kind of figured I'd be SOL with the tranny. The way it's geared is 4th is like 5th, really low between 40 (where I shift from 3rd), and just right at 60.

As for quitting smoking... molon labe!

Nice response time, btw.

I never thought to get a volt meter in there, I'll do that tomorrow when I wake up. I'm still cooling down from working at McDonalds where the AC was busted and I was on the grills all day. 90 degree summers with high humidity, ugh...

OH YEAH, how much would it cost for another 360/390, new exhaust system, and completely new transmission (I guess 4 speed...le sigh) at 40 dollars an hour (I'm not a mechanic, but I do play one on TV and have a good friend who works for $40 an hour, does a phenominal job too).

Aaaand...I just took the truck up to Freddies to get more soda, and it didn't want to start. When I finally did start it, it idled VERY FAST. I pumped the gas and it slowed down, when the engine warmed up I put it into reverse, and it lurched backwards with the clutch all the way down. That scared the crap out of me because I was on level ground.

 

Rob, If the tranny is the granny four speed and doesn't make any noise it should have lots of life left. The shifter could seem sloppy just for the shear length of it. These are tough tranny's used on F350's and even on commercials such as the 600's. They're pretty much the same save for differences like input and output shaft's to fit application. The cost of the overdive would take a while to recoup.

 

On that lighter, reach around the backside of it and check to make sure the wire is still connected. There is only one wire. Also check to make sure you have a good ground. Grounding on these lighters are made with the cigarette lighter housing grounding to the dash. It just twists on there.

I wouldn't spend the money on synthetic oils. But that's just me.

Check the carb and gas pedal linkage for any binding. Check the condition of your return spring on the throttle.

Check the clutch pedal linkage.

Things could have rusted up or gunked up a bit after sitting for 10 years.

 

Thanks for all the tips guys.

The thing that gets me on the stick is it's wobbly, any other stick I have driven in my life from a Porsche 924 Turbo S, to a Nissan 200SX, to a blah... it was always nice and sturdy... er, wrong word...nice and tight. It's not a major problem, but I have missed gears.

As for the lurching bit, I think I just pushed the engine too hard before I went to the store (I had a '80-ish F250 with stainless lined bed, chrome everything, jacked up 20 feet pull RTF in front of me thinking he was hot you know what, without even a car length in front of me, I was forced into the turning lane (on MEridian there's a turn lane the entire highway) or be hit, so I gunned it... wrong, I know. But I had murder on the mind, he damn near hit my baby! I ran about 200 yards down the turning lane doing God knows what before I got in the lead by a few car lengths, when it was all over I checked out the spedometer and it was at 80...yikes, the 390 has a lot more power than I had figured. Yeah, I know. It was wrong. I don't plan on doing that every day, but jeezum crow, I don't hate being cut off, but what he did was asinine to the umpteenth degree, and it just set me off).

Anyway, I let it cool off for the day and today when I went to pick up some linolium (sp?) and plywood for the kitchen, it ran just fine.

One other problem I'm having with Faye (her new name) is the choke. The automatic choke is long since broke, and I have to fiddle with the gas for 2-5 minutes, even in 80 degree weather, before she will idle properly. I have a replacement choke, but what all is required to hook it up to the engine? Simple job, or long process?

Thanks again for all the help guys, this is a great place for information. Before you smite me for showing the big bad F250 who not to F with, I already know it's completely wrong. So a simple, "Damn, that was dumb. If you live to be 25 I'll be surprised" willl suffice.