Hello all,

Have been reading the posts in this section and looks like I may have landed in the right place for once...usually not my fortay. But look forward to hearing your thoughts and sharing your insight. I will give a little background on what I am trying to do and if I can figure it out will post a few pics.

Have a 68 Ford P/U I am going to perform a mini "overhaulin" on. It is a truck I have owned for 13 years and my son has always loved it...so I am going to try and get this done and hand it down to him when finished. I think It will also be a good experience for both of us. Don't have a lot of mechanical experience when it comes to vehicles. I did rebuild the original 240 when I bought the truck.

My plans include: (Phase I) Swapping out the engine, manual to automatic transmission, adding power steering and power brakes. I bought a 73 Ford P/U for a donor and hope I will be able to adapt most of what I need without much trouble. Would have prefered a 68-72, but not much available for sale in my area and the price was right for the 73.

(Phase II) change the gas tank from the behind seat in cab, to a rear placed tank if possible, then the interior and finally the body and paint.

Progress so far consists of removing the engine, transmission, steering column and master cylinder and associated parts, and prepping the engine compartment for paint. I also plan on sanding/blasting the undercarriage before I start putting it back together.

We have also started the removal of the engine from the 73. Think it has a 351, but not 100% sure. Regardless of the engine, will rebuild and use it no matter what it is. Once removed hopefully I can find the numbers and see what it is. Plan on swapping the power steering/brakes after the engine compartment and undercarriage are done and then putting in the transmission after it is rebuilt. From there hopefully can get the engine in and get it drivable.

As the title states...think I am in over my head but hoping with my son as inspiration and a lot of tenacity I can get it done. Just seeing some of the pictures posted on this site of completed projects has been motivation.

Look forward to hearing and learning from you and hopefully I can make this a successful and rewarding project.

Respectfully,
Butch

 

Welcome to FTE, sounds like you have a good plan for your truck. Great that your son is involved, time and money with good planning will get it done.

 

sounds like you are off to a great start,,,,the only advise i could have for you is to keep your eye on the prize

if you keep lots of magazines and pictures of what you want around you will be more focused on it,,,just my 2 cents,,,,good luck and have fun with the build

 

the engine in the 73 will be a 360 or 390

 

Butch, Welcome to FTE The nations truckstop.

Sounds like you might have both trucks down now. Your 68 cab and front clip will bolt up on the 73 chassis and it has the gas tank between the rails. The rails are 4" longer because of the 4" added to the cab in 73 behind the rear mounts.

If you have the overhead lift capabilities, you might think about lifting the cab and front clip off the 68 and rolling the chassis out and the 73 chassis under it. That way you don't have to deal with door and fender aleignment.

Something else to chew on. I think it might be an easier way to get the swap done.

John

 

Yup, sounds like a very nice father and son project.... Congrats on starting a project that will give you both some quality time together!!!

Jo has a good plan on the body swap, not to tough to relocate the rear mounts.....

 

You've found the right place to get info and help when you need it. Welcome to FTE. As for the engine in the '73 I would do a VIN decode
which there is one somewhere on this site and it would tell you what
Ford originally put in the truck. Someone may have changed it out but doubtful. Sound like you have a good project which you will learn much from.
Good luck and let us know how it is progressing.

 

Vbfoster, My son and I have nearly completed what you are just starting. We had a lot of good times, sweat, busted knuckles and laughter. (mostly at ourselves). Write a plan down so you can check off the progress or lack of and find a truck that looks like your vision and put pics of it every place. Good luck and keep us posted with pictures. Charles

 

The engine in the 73 could also be a 302.

 

Sounds like a fun project to do good luck with it and have fun