Hi everyone, I just lucked into a 1965 f-100, seems to be in great shape overall, just needs some "finishing" (door panels, dash guages, etc..)

I've got a manual coming in the mail, but in the meantime I had a couple of questions I was hoping someone could help me out with.

The kid I bought it from swears that it's got a 410, and that it's the original motor. Is this possible? Everthing I've read tells me that you couldn't get that engine stock in 65, but it's not like I've looked all that deep. The door panels have been repainted, and I can't find a VIN plate there, all I've got is off of the title - CSTAHV2O - Where else can I look for VIN/Engine identification?

One other thing, it's got the column shift, and sometimes going from first to second seems to foul up the linkage, and there's no way to get back into Any gear for a minute or two until the tranns decides to let me drive again. Doesn't happen often, but it is a concern. Is there a simple way to lubricate the linkage under the hood? Or am I looking at serious surgery?

Anyway, this site seems great, and there seems to be a lot of great info here. I look forward to learning a lot ( and hopefully knowing something myself eventually). Thanks.

Jster422

 

410 in a 65 f100....don't think so, your shift linkage may just need adjusting, or may be worn beyond that point..hopefully its not a trans problem........good luck

 

First of all Welcome to the FTE site. A 410, if I remember rigth was a Merc. engine and I have not seen in any of my books that Ford put one in a truck. With that thought, your trans linkage maybe problems with the engine change. Check the ajustments, have someone shift it and you watch it move. The Data plate should be on the door jamb, next to the latch, if you post the numbers someone can give you the infromation on the thuck. No question is dumb if you don't know the anwser and you are tring to get a anwser. Good luck with the new truck, and remember to have fun with it.

 

Also look at the front driverside frame rail there is a vin number stamped on the top of the rail. Or look in the glove box and see if someone may have moved it. The last cab i had to swap thats where the guy i got it from put it.

 

Your linkage problem may also be from the cab sagging due to floor/cab support rust.
While youre under there looking at the linkage, tap around on the cab floor with small ball peen hammer to find some thin panels.

 

Welcome aboard!

The VIN will be stamped on the top of the passenger side frame rail as stated. You will possibly need to dig for it, but it should be between the spring /shock perch and the radiator, it should begin with F10D..... If you have a V8 that was stock, it should be the 352 FE engine("D" in the VIN, same family the 410 belongs to). The manifold will extend under the valve covers, that's a quick give-away. Let us know what you find on the VIN and we can give you guidance to clear up the rest.

--Mike

 

J, Welcome to FTE The best truck show on the net.

Sorry dude, the kid doesn't know what he is talking about. The 410 cid engine is a 2 year run only Mercury engine. It basically is a 390 bore block with a 428 crank and rotating assembly. While it is a FE engine, one of the best pulling truck engines ever made, only FE 352 V8s were installed in 65.

After having said all of that, it is possiable that you could have a 410 engine, installed later, and because it is the same family you can't look at it and tell. Get a friend, a 8" piece of white house wire, pull the coil wire, remove one of the front spark plugs, place the wire in the hole and with a Sharpie resting on the wire rotate the engine a couple revs and measure the length of the mark on your wire. Post that measurement back here and we can help ID your engine size.

When driving the truck in 1st gear, pull the shifting lever back slightly towards the steering wheel up to neutral, let it fall towards the dash, and with a slight pull lift it into second. Ya got some worn parts but doing that will help get you by until you can replace the worn parts. You can not push the lever from first to second. It'll hang up bout every time. lol

John

 

Wow, thanks for all the info. I kind've knew after looking around a bit that the 410 claim was fishy, but heck, the truck still moves along great. Still digging for the VIN, but once I find that and the engine stroke measurement, I'll post right away.

Thanks for all the tips guys.
Jster

 

As for shifting, you probably have some worn bushings on the linkage. Its not that uncommon. Another problem that can come up is shifting too fast. the linkage is made up af long, thin rods. these tend to flex and bend if pushed too fast. You have to shift lazily. Even when these trucks were new, you couldn't speed shift them.

 

I was checking out the threads and you are a true Ford Man, right on I miss tinking around with engines, you sta could do that, but not so much anymore.