I'm currently in college and working part time. I'm saving up to tow and fix my old '70 F250. What I need to know is what it would cost to get the engine rebuilt. I don't need 20 of you telling me to buy a new engine with a warranty and bladdy bladdy blah. First I just want to know what my engine will cost to get fixed.

Also, if I chose to upgrade some parts like the headers, carb, or whatever you crazy truck building people are always talking about, what are good parts to swap for performance parts and would I have that done during the initial rebuild? If so, would it cost more? (labor-wise, minus the obvious cost of new performance parts)

And if you're still in the giving mood at this point, I would actually like to know what to expect to pay to get the tranny rebuilt and the brakes redone with a power disc brake conversion. I've seen the rebuild kit on lmc and I wonder if I can take that in with my truck and say, "put this (kit) in that (truck)".

The truck probably hasn't ran in a 5 - 10 years. Supposedly the transmission slips. I'm not sure as to how corroded the engine might actually be, but I want to rebuild this truck from the ground up. But these are the initial repairs I'm looking for. As far as budget goes, don't worry about it. Don't go nuts, but I'm willing to save up what it takes. Major sentimental value in this truck. I want it running.

 

Well first it would help to know what engine you are rebuilding.

 

I believe its a fe 390.

 

Well i guess the next question would be what is your intended purpose of the truck?Is it gonna be a daily driver,hot rod,cruiser,work truck,tow vehicle?This is a really hard question to answer without more info on what you want to do.

 

I have 2 similar trucks myself, if the goal is daily driver I would pretty much keep it stock except: 1) Add electronic ignition (Ford Duraspark is hard to beat, the inner distributor breaker-plates from just about any 70's/80's ford electronically-sparked v8; windsor, 302, 460, 400, 351m will screw right into your existing distributor), 2) power disc brakes are a big help if driving in traffic (just use disc-brake spindles from a newer f250), 3) power-steering is easy to add (again just use parts from a newer f100-f250, 4) although the stock 2-barrel is very good for mileage & is reliable, an upgrade to newer carb technology such as an edelbrock 4-barrel (the one that looks like a Carter AFB) can give more power & a slight increase in economy, stay away from a Holley if mileage is a consideration. 4-barrel intake manifolds, either Ford cast-iron or aluminum-aftermarket are easy to find, 5) supposedly good-quality headers can make your motor run cooler & increase mileage, I hope to try some soon myself.

If your trans is a C6 auto, keep it, its a pretty good unit. They are fairly simple to rebuild too, w/ parts from NAPA, etc.

I'm considering on mine (390, 4-speed equipped 2wd) of installing an OD-gear for improved highway economy somehow. So far I've been recommended either a "Ranger OD splitter-box" (fits in front of the trans.) or alternatively a NV4500 5-speed w/ an OD-gear.........Suggestions anybody?, thanks in advance.