hey everyone i am proudly driving a 1979 f250 ranger that i bought from my uncle for 500 bucks it has a 351m with a 4 speed and i am told a 1 ton floating rear end. it is my daily driver and is in pretty solid shape. there is a little rust on the cab corners and my uncle tried to bondo above the rear wheels and did a horrid job. i think there mey be some rust through around the area where the peadles come through the firewall since my uncle has protecto wrap caulked to the floor. he claims there is an overload spring in the rear end but im not sure there doesnt seem to be any like i have ever seen it just seems that the rear sits really high. how would i know? are there different types of overloads? i am going to put a camo paint job on soon because green with silver is not my style. i was wondering how hard it would be to put in 4 wheel drive? i begin auto tech classes in august and will have access to the shop. also when i turn sharply and then give it gas to take off it squeals loudly. is this just the belts or the power steering pump? and the last question is abut the tranny/ clutch my uncle says it is a mechanical clutch and no fluid or lubricant is needed shouldnt there be some sort of lube to make shifting more smooth also there is sometimes a pinging noise from the tranny/ clutch that i would compare to bouncing a piece of steel on a grinding wheel he says this is just the parts in the clutch that guide the tranny into each gear bouncing onthe turning gears.any help would be great and any other tid bits about the 79 250 rangers would be great or tips on 351m maintenence and upgrades that increase power and fuel mileage are always welcome as i plan to restore this wonderful truck. should have pics of "Brutus" tomorrow,

 

The way you described the noise sounds like a few throw out bearings I have seen go bad. Dont take that and hold me too it though, after all, i cant hear the noise in person, but it would be my first "guess".

Sounds like you got a good truck though, not much you can complain about for $500, that's why i love these trucks though. Some people just dont see anymore than a heap of steal.

Let's see the pictures!

 

Throw out bearings would be my guess too. I have recently found that sound in my truck too.