What to ask?
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From: Maine
What to ask?
Well, I happened upon a truck quite by accident the other day that intrigued me (see thread "talk me out of it" in the '86-'96 F-150 forum). That thread tells why I'm no longer particularly interested, but it did get me thinking again...
Picked up the local classified ads, and saw this
"77 F250 4x4, 34k miles, 351M, 4-speed. Runs exc. little rust. $550"
I know I shouldn't even be reading these ads. If I call him, what should I be asking? I'm sure it's 134, or even 234k, and he's just reading off what the odo says...
Picked up the local classified ads, and saw this
"77 F250 4x4, 34k miles, 351M, 4-speed. Runs exc. little rust. $550"
I know I shouldn't even be reading these ads. If I call him, what should I be asking? I'm sure it's 134, or even 234k, and he's just reading off what the odo says...
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From: Maine
Just got off the phone with the guy- turns out "runs exc. doesn't actually mean it starts...
He says it'll run if you pour fuel in the carb, and gas comes out of the fuel pump, so it's something in the carb. Got a couple rust holes that will need patching to get it inspected, bed is off a newer body style truck.
I'm going to go take a look at it tomorrow, I think...
He says it'll run if you pour fuel in the carb, and gas comes out of the fuel pump, so it's something in the carb. Got a couple rust holes that will need patching to get it inspected, bed is off a newer body style truck.
I'm going to go take a look at it tomorrow, I think...
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From: lino lakes, mn
Fuel pump diaphram is probably shot, new pump 40.00 check oil for gas smell when the diaphram goes it will usually leak into the oil pan to.checkout the drivetrain, front axle, tranny/transfercase these are the expensive parts. Look over the frame for kinks and cracks at the spring mounts transfercase mounts and crossmembers. The correct box can be found between 500-1500 dollars.All the body parts are available. Go to the library and look through a service manual learn about the truck and what you'er looking at. Then if you decide to buy the truck buy the Haynes manual for the truck it has most of the info you will need to repair any thing on the truck.
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From: Maine
Yeah, I've tinkered with my Ranger a bit over the years, so I know about manuals.
I'd probably go for a flatbed before I bought a correct box, but I'd kind of like to run the thing as-is for a while, then fix it up right later, if I can. I don't know why, but a '77 with a flatbed really does something for me...
I'd probably go for a flatbed before I bought a correct box, but I'd kind of like to run the thing as-is for a while, then fix it up right later, if I can. I don't know why, but a '77 with a flatbed really does something for me...
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For $550 you can afford to rebuild the carb (or just slap a new one on there). Sound's like a steal to me.
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From: Maine
I've got to call the guy in a few hours, make sure he'll be around, but I think I'm going to go take a look at it. I'm bringing a buddy who's done some body work (I never have), so he can provide input on what it will take to get it done.
I'm sure there's a sort of a basic (few pages) rundown on these trucks somewhere, but I can't find it. Can anybody point me in the right direction?
I'm sure there's a sort of a basic (few pages) rundown on these trucks somewhere, but I can't find it. Can anybody point me in the right direction?
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From: Maine
Went and looked at it today. Guy was, uh, something...
Cab has a couple holes in the back corners, but not too bad. Bottoms of both doors rotten, and the right door was all caved in. Bed doesn't match and is in horrible condition. Front fenders pretty good, hood good, frame really solid.
Only got it to run for a couple seconds by pouring gas down the carb, but it sounded pretty good.
It's definitely a good foundation for a complete restoration, but I've got to decide if I want to pick it up, patch it together and run it a couple years, then go back and do the whole thing right. Any thoughts?
Couple additional questions: what would it cost to build a flatbed (both to do it right, and to just bang together something that would work), what would it take to swap a 300 I-6 in at a later point, and what kind of mileage might I expect from the 351M that's in it now?
Thanks!
Cab has a couple holes in the back corners, but not too bad. Bottoms of both doors rotten, and the right door was all caved in. Bed doesn't match and is in horrible condition. Front fenders pretty good, hood good, frame really solid.
Only got it to run for a couple seconds by pouring gas down the carb, but it sounded pretty good.
It's definitely a good foundation for a complete restoration, but I've got to decide if I want to pick it up, patch it together and run it a couple years, then go back and do the whole thing right. Any thoughts?
Couple additional questions: what would it cost to build a flatbed (both to do it right, and to just bang together something that would work), what would it take to swap a 300 I-6 in at a later point, and what kind of mileage might I expect from the 351M that's in it now?
Thanks!