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hey y'all sorry i havent been on for a while, i just returned from OIF back to Okinawa, Japan. i bought a 1968 highboy with a 360 and a 4 speed with dual exhaust. the running gear is all in great shape, and its a strong runner. i was wondering what all i should do to make it 100% roadworthy to drive from Tacoma, WA to San Diego, CA in september of this year. i was thinking along the lines of an electric fuel pump, electric fans, new high volume oil pump just for good measure, and all new rubber hoses. the brakes and clutch were just replaced. other than a full-on tune up(new plugs, wires, all fluids etc.), what do you all think i should do to it? its gonna cost a lot to drive there i know, but the military will be re-imbursing me for that part of the adventure. it will be my daily driver in california for about a year, so i want it to be as reliable as possible. any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
i just do a tune up and check the belts and hoses as well as other fluids and go for it.... they're reliable enough that they've lasted 30+ years... :-)
Nice Truck! On the HV oil pump, I wouldn't do that unless the oil pressure is dangerously low. Even if the factory gauge reads low, I'd put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on first and get a good reading of oil pressure. Dropping the pan can be a pita and you're taking a chance on creating oil leaks...although most FE's leak somewhere anyway...LOL.
On your way down, you should stop off in Kelso, WA and drop the truck off to me and I'll take care of it for ya. I've got damn near the identical truck, but rather a 69. These are tough trucks and you aint gonna hurt it. Just do yerself a favor and make sure them tires are balanced and she's aligned. That's a long way to go with 'ol "armstrong" steering.
does anybody know how these things fare in the dry heat?? it rains/snows 3/4 of the year where im at, so ive never driven one in really hot weather... i know ill be using the old 255 air conditioning in cali, but i aint worried about that part...
they dont really care about humidity, i'd probably just run a 180 thermostat and not worry about it, watch the temp guage the first year and maybe drop to a 165 if need be.... 255 air will get you passed like a statue, better buck up to 290.... LOL
haha with 4.10's and a stock 360, by the time i make it up to 90 i'll have to fill it up with gas again! i love these old trucks, no matter how expensive gas is... OH! speaking of gas, im gonna have to get hardened valve guides put in the heads right?
I drove mine in Phoenix in the summer before I turned it into the 511 project, and never had any problem with heat (except the driver). Hell, I didn't even have a fan shroud on it.