Looking at a truck
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Regina,Saskatchewan
Looking at a truck
It's not like I don't have enough projects already but I found a local guy selling an 87 F-150 4x4 reg cab for $300 because the motor is shot.I went to look at it yesterday, it is in average shape with rust over the rear wheel wells and spots here and there and faded black paint.It has a lot of options like a bed liner,air, 3.55 trac-lok rear end.The 302 motor in it still runs but has a knock that sounds like someone is beating it with a sledge hammer, scared the crap out of me when he fired it up.I have an older 302 shortblock in the garage I could throw in it but it is 28 oz balance so I would need a different flexplate or Buck's sells motors for about $175 which might end up being almost the same cost as I would be looking at $100+ just for gaskets to throw my shortblock in there.Anyway, I have all day to decide as I am going to call the guy tonight with my decision.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Delisle/Vanscoy, Sk.
Either way at that price is a steal. if you don't fix it, others will buy it for parts for more than that price. Or you can throw a motor from bucks in and turn around and sell it for a nice pocket change, last you then can keep it for winter driving in the snow.
The price is right and you could easly turn and sell it for more.
The price is right and you could easly turn and sell it for more.
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From: Regina,Saskatchewan
I am leaning towards throwing in the 302 shortblock I have just because I know it is in good shape and I could use the room.I don't really need another 4x4 as I already have an Explorer and a Bronco II so I will probably just try and sell it.
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From: Regina,Saskatchewan
I brought it home today and have it sitting in the garage, I hope to start working on it tomorrow.I was sure the guy's ad said it was an 87 but it turned out to be an 89 which is a bonus.Other than the motor being shot it looks like the front right tire is sitting at a bit of an angle which I will have to look at and it might need a steering box as it appears to be leaking a bit of fluid.But for $300 I can't complain.
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
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From: Regina,Saskatchewan
There is a hole about the size of a looney in the oil pan where something exited in a hurry, but surprisingly it still runs.It should be intersting to see once I get the oil pan off.Also on my to do list are replace the u-joints and fix the pinion seal.
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
It`s good that you have a spare motor after finding the hole in the oil pan. Don`t you just love the surprises in buying a used vehicle? Always something more than what you see at first. 
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The Transfer Case is worth what you paid. Go to the salvage yard and get what you need to make it road worthy. If you ask around you can usually find a buyer for a truck. It might take all of a couple of hours to find a buyer for an old 4X4 Ford.
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From: Regina,Saskatchewan
Just an update, I got it running yesterday with the 302 I already had and actually had it moving under its own power about 6 feet in the garage.Along with the hole in the side of the oil pan there was a big chunk taken out of the side of the block as well.The last two connecting rods were beaten into little stumps by the crank hitting them everytime it went around and there were good size pieces missing from the bottom of the last two cylinder bores.I found 1 1/2 connecting rod bolts in the oil pan and part of a connecting rod cap and a bunch of other misc metal.I still have to change the steering box before I plate it but the major job is done.
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
[QUOTE=idfergusson]Thanks for the update, sounds like the 92 F250 I bought. Two of the rods were beaten by the crank and rod parts, bolts in the oil pan. I bought a used 7.3 to install this winter.