I'm about to enter the Ford World again. Last Ford was new a few years ago...Now I'm about to aquire a 69 Ford "Custom" Pickup. Advise on what to look for in the truck as far as anything putting into a NOT BUY / NOT WASTE MY TIME categories... ?

Thanks

Fozzy

 

Fozzy, Welcome to the FTE family, you must understand that you are asking about a Ford truck, and your question does not apply to Ford trucks. The truck is worth $500.00 - $1800.00 maybe more id it is a doll.
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John

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Jan-02 AT 07:31 PM (EST)]Personally, I wouldn't waste time with headers, unless you plan to go fullrace with your truck. They can be a real pain to install, they are tough to keep properly tightened, they tend to cook starters, they tend to rust, yada yada yada. And i'm not sure what you mean about wishing for a CDL. I've got a class 'A', and i'm PROUD to be a truck driver!!!

 

So Far I'm told by my freind at work that it was parked a few years ago and that it is complete and still bone stock with the exception of the seat which is now a worn out bench seat from a 70ish Chevy. The Engine type he's not real sure of he knows its a 351 but unsure of the type. The body including the bumpers and chrome are all "smooth as a gut" as he puts it. Going to visit this pickup Friday and hoping that all is as I'm hoping it to be.. So far it needs a starter and possibly an alternator...

The CDL Comment is from 15+ years as a trucker, Driver trainer, CDL examiner and Trucking Instructor.

Keep on Trucking and stay safe!

Fozzy

 

Hmmm...someone else will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think something isn't adding up. Either it doesn't have a 351, or your friend is wrong about it being "all original." I'm pretty sure that Ford never offered the 351 in 69 trucks. IIRC, the only engine choices were the 240 and 300 cid I6, and the 360 and 390 cid "FE" V8. The 302 V8 began to be offered at some point in the 67-72 models, and so may have been available in 69, but I'm not sure. If it has the original engine, and it is a V8, it is most likely a 360. Check the VIN. If the 4th digit is a "Y" (e.g., F10Yxxxxxxx), then it came from the factory with a 360. If the spark plugs are angled outward like this: //\\ then you have a "FE" big block that is probably a 360, but may be a 390 (or a 352, 410 or even 428, if it isn't the original motor).

Not much else to tell you. The 69 Ford trucks are my favorite (I have a 69 F100 Ranger). The most desirable ones are the Trailer or Camper Specials with frame-mounted auxiliary fuel tanks and front disk brakes, almost all of which came with the excellent 390/C6 combo. Another highly desirable option is the built-in tool box on the passenger side of the bed. Can't really tell you much about recommended mods until your motor is positively ID'ed.

 

Karl, You are right on the money, and Ford didn't offer a 351W in a pickup until sometime in the 80s. The 351M was used in some late 77s to 79.
Fozzy if it has been sitting for a few years I really would hold the line on about $500.00 tops, unless again it has been kept inside most of it's life and is a doll. IMHO
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John

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Could be a 302, it was introduced in June ’69. If it is than it’s a F100, no smallblocks in the F250.

 

I was really wondering about the bone stock issue because from reading here and there on this board the 351 threw me completely! At first he told me that it was a 390 (and may have been when he saw the truck last time ) I'm mainly interested in the body and the possiblilties of having a big p/u that's not a Wisconsin salt collector like I'm used to! :-staun Thanks again folks! I'll try and get the VIN# and a MUCH better discription soon!

Fozzy

 

There are a couple easy things to look for. FE 352, 360, 390, etc. the spark plugs are like this on both sides \\// If you can look behind the engine at the top of the bell, see if the two top bolts are either 5" apart or 8" apart. The 5" spread will be 351W, if they are 8" 351M
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John

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[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group

In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Here's what the scoop is on the Soon to be Fozzy Ford folly! I arrived at the range today and back behind the Chicken coops were TWO Ford Pickups. One is a 64 and the other was the 1969 Ford "100" that I want. First impression was not too shocking. The tires are all flat ..but the body IS really in shockingly good shape for a 30 year old truck. The paint is very good in some area's and non existant on the hood and the top of the truck. The bed is covered with surface rust but looks like it will really clean up ok.. The interior is rough! The Windsheild is cracked badly as a branch fell off a tree in an ice storm and whacked the hell outta it!

The Engine compartment is full of birds nests or some critters anyway. The engine is really still a mystery but from what I found out here its still (from the direction of the sparkplugs) still a 360 and not the 351 as reported. The Alternator is missing and so is the starter..but that's no real worry!! The radiator looks like new! ooops the batery tray area is pretty rusty and crummy looking...a patch job is not too bad to do??

The only part that made me go UH-OH! was that one of the front top grill peices is missing! Are they an impossiblilty or can one find these peices??

Fozzy

P.S. The price is hovering between $200 & $300