OK, so I have a 78' -F-100 2wd long bed reg cab, its in pretty good shape, for its age.
The motor (351M) runs, albeit a little ruff and hard to start in the mornings, probably just a vacume/carb adjustment issue, but its certainly not breaking any speed laws.
And the brakes bring it to a stop, with a little bit of shudder.
The transmission (4 speed auto) clanks everyonce and a while.
I can move the wheel 30 degrees before it starts to turn, and it wanders from side to side (if you don't pay attention) but still in my lane and out of trouble.
No major rusting to speak of, but there are enough spots scattered around to warrant some attention.
its got AC and Heater.
I've had posession of the truck for a while now, and I've taken it to 3 different shops, they all say the same thing....DON'T WANT TO WORK ON IT AND IF I WERE YOU, I WOULDN'T TOUCH IT, NOT WORTH TIME OR MONEY!!!!

How depressing is that!
They don't want anything to do with us (the truck and I).
No, i don't have a ton of money, and I can't afford to do a Boyd Coddington restore on the thing, but I don't expect to performe such a task.

These are my expectations:
Its going to take a while....I don't have space or money to do the whole thing in two months, I know this.
I would like to rebuild the engine, possible storke it out to a 400, really not much you can do with a 351M, but its all I really need, and I would like to try this myself.
I would like the tranny rebuilt, i would like to drive the thing on a regular basis. This is one of those things I don't want to try.
I would like the rear end to be rebuilt with a LS diff. This is another one of those things I don't want to try.
I want to try to do some body work.
I would like the body to be in good condition and have a nice coat of paint.

I consider myself mechanically enclined and I like to work with my hands.
I have gotten myself some books and I have been reading on a few things here an there (engine rebuild books, body and paint prep), but I understand there is no replacement for experience, of which I have none in the auto rebuild area.
I think there are definitly some things I can do myself but there will be things that I can't do.

So there is my little vent.
maybe my expectations are unrealistic.
maybe I'm overwhelmed.
maybe I shouldn't touch the thing.

I just see alot of potential for a really nice truck, and nobody willing to provide a little bit of guidence and direction.
mike

 

you can fix most yourself, steering, rag joints prob wooped and steering box is likely wore, rear, you can get a loaded center wad through currie ind, with a l/s for fairly cheap, around $500 are you sure its a 4 speed auto? rep trans shop charge you around $1000 for a rebuild, 351m check your oil pres and compression, low pressure rebuild it checks out good just reseal it and put it back in, truck with no rot crap your 1/2 way there anyways good luck with your project

 

Good lord I always get annoyed out the tuckas when someone reports a shop blowing an owner off like this.

Allow me to translate for you:

"I'm sorry sir, we are not trained in anything before 1996. In fact unless it has the OBDII computer system? We just do not know what the heck we are doing. We're idiots...dolts...People with great chucks of paper bragging about how good we are when reading a book, but we would not know which end of a wrench is which. We would love to work on your truck, however our Mitchell Time Guide (our bible of the allmighty dollar) only goes back 10 years, so we would not even know what to charge you-IF we did know how to repair your truck. Now kindly get your truck off our property before the value decreases".

Yes it's a JOKE!!!! but that's how I've always considered the lame commentary of some auto repair shops. Do yourself a huge favor for anything you feel you are not able to fix (and quite a bit I'm sure you CAN fix on your own).. Locate a small "Mom and Pop" type shop that can answer ONE simple question: "Do you know how to set the points in an older truck?". If the answer is YES! Then you have found a shop with people that understand the older systems and engines far better then a 'jiffy shop'. (and yes I know a lot of the trucks use the electronic ignition systems---however the look on a mechanics face when you mention "Points" or "Dwell Time" is normally priceless)

You've taken the right steps, you've educated yourself on the basics of the truck repair guide....and you've found yourself here with plenty of people that actually KNOW a lot about these trucks! Take things one step at a time, and be realistic. With some amount of $$ spent on parts, and some elbow grease? You'll be in decent shape soon enough.

S-

 

Steering first.
Then brakes.
Instead of rebuilding the engine, see if it even needs one.
Then investigate transmission.