Hello everyone,

I am pretty new to this fourm and have only posted a couple of times. I have had this truck since I was 18 and never plan to sell it. It is in decent shape but it will need plenty of work. I never intend to make it a show truck. I just want to make it look as good as possible for me. I tell my wife I just want to fix it up and drive to Sonic with her on the weekends. I wish they still had Drive Inn's. The good old days.

Well the truck has set a while (two to three years). It is funny how things seem to always make you put off what you want to do. i have got it running again. Rebuilt the carb and replaced the fluids.

Long story short this truck has a 351 w. It has points and I am thinking of replacing it with EI. I was wondering what suggestions others might have for the type to put in stock, msd, etc. I just want a good running motor. I have a lot of other iproblems. The motor runs okay but still needs tweaking. I don't know if the timming is right because the motor is missing the indicator on the block. I have adjusted it the best as I can by ear. I need to find out if indicator is the same for all 351w. I believe this motor came out of a 1986 van. Not sure though. I will be looking to replace the indicator so I can get it right.

I bought this truck with a 351w in it. I blew that one up and replaced it with this current one. I would like to find out as much information about my truck as I can. Can some one give me information about it if Give the vin number. If anyone knows where I can get some info please reply. The truck has the explorer logo. I can't find any information about them.

I did not mean to be so long winded. I hope to get this truck back in to a at least an A to A+ driver.

All help will be greatly appreciated

thanks,
David

 

David, Probably the least expensive thing that you can do is install the Pertronix in it. That will convert to the hotter spark that you desire. You can spend a lot more money, but I'm not sure the others will perform any better.

good luck

John

 

as far as the timing goes, if the motor runs pretty decent and you know the points are set right, you can use your hood to set your timing. yes i said hood. start the motor and let the engine warm up, loosen the hold down and slowly turn the dist. till you see the shaking of the hood get less and less. when you have it at the spot that shakes the least you are about as good as you can get with a timing light. (backwoods mechanicing)

 

I have never hear of Petronics. Where can I get some info from. I know my points are set right. If what you say is true the I probably have the timming set pretty good.I just want to get rid of the points. I am not sure my vacum advance is working properly. When I pulled the cap I put my finger on the vacum port of the advance. When I pulled the vacum lever back and let go it held a little but gradually went back to its starting position. I figure when hooked up and steady vacum is applied it should be able to pull it back and hold it as long as vacum is steady.What do yall think? Give the 411

 

I just installed the pertronix in my truck, and I think it is one of the BEST "low buck" (under $100) mod I have done. it completely replaces the points/condenser, yet retains the completely stock appearance. nice and clean. easy (and I mean really easy) install. 2 wires and a couple of tools you probably have in your kitchen junk drawer.

you can get these units at most of your auto parts stores, autozone, o'riely, kragen.....

as for your timing, your local salvage will have a timing marker for your motor. I do not know if they are any different from year to year, but I wouldn't think they would be.

_Ken.

 

Check Motorhaven from this site, I don't know if it is offered but it should be.

John

 

I had a 75 F100 [U]EXPLORER[U]
THE HOOD ORNAMENT HAD AN ATLAS/MAP OF THE WORLD BEHIND THE LETTERING EXPLORER.
AS IF YOU COULD CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE EARTH IN THE PICKUP TRUCK!
Anyway EXPLORER was a package like camper special, custom, contractor special.
The only thing that was different about the truck was the cool hood ornament.
Lman

 

I will have to go to autozone and get a look at it. Sounds like a plan to me. I have a lot of tools. Everthing to do most common jobs anyway. Will reply when I get it together. I have run out of money for this month. Have to get back to my beer buget. The champane is kicking my but.

 

My truck just has explorer on the back of both sides of the truck. It does not have a atlas emblem on the hood

 

did not work. Was trying to post a pic

 

I just figured out how to put pictures in an album. If anyone cares to take a look. Its not the best. I have always had dreams of fixing up this truck but never had the time. I now have a lot of time I just need the money. HA HA. Well ant comments welcome.
Thanks,

David