Hi Nomad!

I am uncertain regarding the MSD and the Stock Distributor will allow me to pull all of the MSD components and when I spoke with a Technician at MSD I was informed that I could ship the MSD component and the Tach Adapter for analysis and also have it "refurbished." The Distributor and the Coil are fine but they will not work without the "entire package." I confirmed this by pulling one wire off the Tach Adapter and there was no affect on the engine but when I pulled one wire from the MSD component mounted on the Wheel Well the engine died.

My desire is to keep the Truck and my ultimate goal is fuel mileage which is obtainable with some "tips and tricks" from not only you but the Forum as well. The issues are primarily wiring which I can do on my own as I do have the wiring schematics and have experience in "tracing" and correcting the problems. Moreover, I am going to rebuild the Holley and purchase smaller Primary Jets which should provide some increase in fuel mileage as I am "light" on the throttle, 50-55 mph, but my location is famous for high winds so it is difficult to expose the Carb, Valve Train, Crank, etcetera as it can be calm as a flat lake and then 20+ MPH winds come up. My "Work Shop" is the dirt as I have no coverage or Garage so I have to take her one step at a time but no big deal as I have time as I do not work.

I am going to do a Compression Test this week and this will tell the tale whether to sell it or not; agreed?

Thanks for your reply!

Mark

 

On the old motor , 9 to 10 mpg no matter what it seemed, replaced it with a bit more than stock one that runs quite well, I have to retard the timing to run regular, and it will get 10 or a little better, setting the timing ahead and running premium I can get 12 to 13, so I run prem all the time as my motor can use it and actually be a bit more efficient, but for a stock motor regular is just fine, I believe

 

has run a best of 11.97 with the old 466. we will find out what the new 514 runs next sunday.

 

514 nice... I found a vid on youtube of a truck that looks a little likes yours and its eating a late model trans, makes the poor thing look like hes pedaling it..lol

 

Hello and good morning!

I strongly concur with your reply as I have read some articles which stated that as long as your maintenance costs including parts are considerably less than the monthly payment alone on a New vehicle then keep it! This does not include the insurance and taxes.

Personally, I prefer to purchase used vehicles as long as the vehicle is in good shape and has a good compression test result.

Hey, one can purchase a LOT of parts for a huge monthly payment; agreed?

Mark

 

I've just spent $3k replacing the engine and various ancillary driveline parts, when @ 315k it finally lost a bottom end bearing.

460 Re-Power - a set on Flickr

This is still equal to only 6 months of a $500 payment.
You're paying for basic maintenance and wear items regardless of age.
I don't care too much if my work truck is scratched and dented. Structurally it is very sound with no major rust etc.

I've got it tuned rather lean and on the verge of detonation.
12 mpg highway, 9 in town IF I control myself (and my right foot).
It does all I ask of it.

If I could afford to register and insure another vehicle I would have a small fuel efficient car. likely a Japanese 4 banger, but not a barebones econobox.
As is I try to do my shopping and errands on the way home from work, combining trips, and use my motorcycle for those things I can fit in my saddlebags.

It's a Big Block.
If you need it, find a way to pay for it.
If you don't, sell it and buy Ranger.......

 

Hello and good morning!

We most definitely share the same views in that any vehicle is worth keeping regardless of the "cosmetics." The Ford is is very good condition and well worth keeping and in a previous reply I stated that I should just sell it and purchase another Ford but in retrospect I was just over reacting. I have a car which provides 35+ MPG which is my Daily Driver. It definitely looks like a Desert Car but I care not as it runs very well.

As you stated regarding the Maintenance and wear issues this is expected and my issues are small and will only take a couple of hundred bucks to repair.

I would prefer a Top-Loader Transmission as I have always preferred a Manual versus an Automatic but this is a personal choice.

Today, I am going to the local Bone Yard for some parts and there is a Utility Box that I would love to have but I will have to take some measurements to ensure that it will fit. It is in excellent shape and I may be able to trade my entire bed including Liner as the owner is very fair. It is mounted on a Ford with Dual Wheels and Dual Fuel Tanks so it should fit with some very minor adjustments.

The Motorcycle is excellent and I would enjoy having a 650? Thumper On/Off road with Saddlebags for the "supplies" trips to town.

Take care and have fun!

Mark

Thanks for the reply!

 

They think your a nut because they are sheep. I'd rather be a gas guzzling, carbon foot printing, F350 driving, load hauling, stump pulling, mud slinging, dual gas tanking nut than a sheep any day. This is still the USA. If you can afford it....do it!

You can always earn more money....you'll never get the time spent back. Life's too short to worry about what others think. Especially sheep. I notice that those same sheep that think I'm a nut have a car that's not even worth the tires on one of my trucks! Funny how when they need something moved, hauled, pulled, rescued from a snow bank or run over (I'm kidding!) they come to those of us with a big 4x4 gas eating, carbon footprinting PU truck!

About 8-9 city. 11-12 hwy. on my F350 with a built 460. Cam, headers, dual exhaust, Performer manifold & carb.


Don't run a 460 too lean....it'll burn valves.

 

Amen! brother.

 

I found the strangest thing when I was living there: 115 octane at the pump. The gas station that had it was between Wadsworth and Sheridan, on 58th I think.

 

Realistically here, who buys a 460 for the mileage? Nobody I know.

You get a 460 because you’re American dammit and you can!!

A 460 is about gut wrenching torque and horsepower. It's about not caring what the price of gas is or how much you dump down the tailpipe. It's the American icon and epitome of excess.

When I get around to building mine it will have aftermarket aluminim heads, Mass-Flo EFI for simplicity (I hate adjusting carbs), headers and a not so mild cam.

I can understand making it efficient and having it work at it's optimum but, if you want mileage, then get a Focus.

 

Actually, when I got mine I bought it because it had the torque to haul what I need for work and they are about as reliable as a sledgehammer.
Back in '87 460's could be found in almost every School Bus and city fleet vehicle around.
Parts were never a problem and many had the knowledge to fix them.

 

My 1997 EFI without a load with 3.55 gears has averaged 12.95 to 13.45 for the last 23k miles or so on the highway:. Pulling my 33ft. fifth wheel it gets 9mi. on flat roads and I really didn,t check it when we went west of Austin last year It is NOT my daily driver, but I will not be buying another truck anytime soon.

 

I have a 79 F-100 with the 460 and a C6 I get around 13 to the gallon but only drive it 22 miles a day .

 

I've got an 87' F350 with a 94' 460 converted to carb. Running 4.10's. Fully loaded with trailer I am getting around 10 mpg if I keep my foot out of it.