I Need Some Advice From The Pros???
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Willamette Valley
I Need Some Advice From The Pros???
Here is my dilemma... I bought a 79 F100 Shortbox for $650 on ebay. I have gotten it home and it is really beatup with numerous issues. The engine which is a 351 seems to be fine and 4 speed shifts good but other than that the interior and exterior suck bad! So do I spend the money on it? Or should I go ahead and buy this other truck which is a 77' F150 with a 400 and an automatic tranny for $800. This one is not dented and the interior is great. Runs and drives great too. I am curious to hear opinions on the motors and trannys and the different years. I do want to fix either truck up some and the only reason I bought the 79' was because it was a shortbox and I thought it would make a sportier truck... the 77 is not but it probably doesn't matter that much. Thanks for the help and I appreciate everyones comments and opinions.
Rusty
Rusty
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
If the grille and front end are good on the 79 short box, and the bed in decent shape, I might consider fixing it up. If your heart is not set on a shortie, go with another truck that is cleaner, with less issues. I would rather spend a few more dollars on a truck that is nicer, than a truck that is cheaper, but would require 3x the effort,time and money to make nicer.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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First off what kind of issues do you have w/ the f100 body..... rust, too many dents, dings ? $650 for a good 351 w/ tranny is a great deal (thats if its a 351w) It seems you are looking for a short box. Id stick w/ what you got and fix it up.
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Its probably an M. I dunno, I must be picky, or spoiled. When I was young I used to settle with buying trucks that looked like this for $300 EDIT This WAS my first truck, not the ebay special we are talking about.
to trucks that cost $800 and need nothing but a seat, weatherstripping, and paint.
to trucks that cost $800 and need nothing but a seat, weatherstripping, and paint.
Last edited by masterbeavis; Sep 25, 2007 at 12:05 AM.
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Originally Posted by masterbeavis
Its probably an M. I dunno, I must be picky, or spoiled. When I was young I used to settle with buying trucks that looked like this for $300
to trucks that cost $800 and need nothing but a seat, weatherstripping, and paint.
to trucks that cost $800 and need nothing but a seat, weatherstripping, and paint.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SouthWest Ga.
I would say the 77, unless you are dead set on the shorty. this one appears to need a new bed just for starters. Save the engine and tranny junk the rest. The 77 sounds like a better truck to work on. Just my .02 worth.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
What's so funny? That actually WAS my first truck. The one in the background was the $800 truck
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From: Willamette Valley
The 79' has some small areas of rust but I can also see where they have used bondo on the doors... the top of the bed sides is pretty dented up... its missing a hood hinge, the speedo is not working, no brake lights and the interior is pretty rough. I like the 79 Shortie style better but the 77' seems like a better truck. Does anyone like the 400 motor better than the 351? Thanks.
Rusty
Rusty
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Cargo Master
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From: NE Texas
Yes, the 400 is a MUCH better platform from which you can build a good, powerful motor. The 351M, which is what is in both the 77 and 79 model years, is a good engine for daily driving but it has no performance potential. With some work and using a few tricks that you can learn in the 335 engine series forum, the 400 can be turned into a decent engine.
BTW, the ONLY difference between a 351M and a 400 are the crankshaft and pistons.
If it were me, I would take both of these trucks and make a good short bed truck out of the two trucks. I would use the 400 engine with the manual transmission. That said, I live in the boon docks with plenty of room to store vehicles and enough shop space to do such work.
BTW, the ONLY difference between a 351M and a 400 are the crankshaft and pistons.
If it were me, I would take both of these trucks and make a good short bed truck out of the two trucks. I would use the 400 engine with the manual transmission. That said, I live in the boon docks with plenty of room to store vehicles and enough shop space to do such work.
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My professional opinion is..to fix up the 79.
Presently "A diamond in the rough"
Unless you go a dealership and order what you want ...anything you buy used is a project.
In the 79..you chose a great project.
THe stuff you mention is minor.
Presently "A diamond in the rough"
Unless you go a dealership and order what you want ...anything you buy used is a project.
In the 79..you chose a great project.
THe stuff you mention is minor.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Winnfield,La.
I live in another world,I keep them all some times they become parts cars! the 351m is a 400 lower end and block with 351c heads theM part is the intake manifold,when ford put it all together the intake had to be wider to fit there for the modification.
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From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Originally Posted by just-n-time
I live in another world,I keep them all some times they become parts cars! the 351m is a 400 lower end and block with 351c heads theM part is the intake manifold,when ford put it all together the intake had to be wider to fit there for the modification.
The real meaning of the M designation is still up for debate, Midland, Michigan, Modified, "M", monkey poo, mess o junk, you name it...
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Eustis FL
I would likely fix up the shorty if I had a parts truck. You can get new box side panels for a reasonable price.
Nothing wrong with either the 351M or the 400, as I know many who rebuild both. But if it were me and I was going to rebuild a 351M, I would get the crank from a 400 and get new pistons (also 400) to get yourself an instant, factory stroker.
Maybe you can fix up and sell the long bed for little money invested? That money can be used for fixing the short box.
Now, if you really want my opinion in full, I would keep them both and fix 'em up, but I would make sure I had the space for the long time project. Start with the easiest one first, so you can still drive while you restore.
Nothing wrong with either the 351M or the 400, as I know many who rebuild both. But if it were me and I was going to rebuild a 351M, I would get the crank from a 400 and get new pistons (also 400) to get yourself an instant, factory stroker.
Maybe you can fix up and sell the long bed for little money invested? That money can be used for fixing the short box.
Now, if you really want my opinion in full, I would keep them both and fix 'em up, but I would make sure I had the space for the long time project. Start with the easiest one first, so you can still drive while you restore.
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From: Willamette Valley
Decided To Keep The 79!
Hi, I decided to keep the 79 and have foudn straight hood and fenders to replace the beat up one on the 79 and now the main issue to tackle is the brake lights are not working and there is a fair amount of rust through in the bed... have any of you bought the repair bed panels that LMC sells? I have access to a welder but I am by no means a great welder... I have only tried a couple times. Thanks for the help again! Also what other engines would fit nicely into the 79' Shortbox? I found a 429 Cobra Jet engine for like $400... is this something that could be made to work? Thanks.
Rusty
Rusty