I got my alternator swapped in to replace the old generator, had my carb rebuilt and my radiator repaired this weekend. My buddy's dad helped me out (or should I say I helped him out). We wound up using a voltage regulator for a 1965 F100 to match the alternator. The system is charging now. My truck was running dangerously hot since I bought it several months back, so hot that I was afraid to drive it. I called a local radiator shop and the guy there said he could put a heavy duty core in it. I took it to him and he took it in the back and pressure tested it. When he came back out, he told me there were 3 small leaks and that he would rod it out for a lot less that recoring it. He told me that I have the heavy duty core and that I really don't need a shroud, which was another one of my concerns. He did advise me to get a fan that pulls more air that the stock 4-blade fan though and to run a 160 degree thermostat (I live in the desert). I picked the radiator up the next day and he said it was about 70% clogged!! He said, "Put it back in and you'll be happy". We did and the truck is running nice and cool now! What a relief! The new 7-blade flex fan really pulls a lot of air...could've gone electric, but would need a 2 5/8" thick fan and they're a lot more expensive than the flex fan.

My freind's dad had the carb rebuilt in about an hour ($23 rebuild kit from Autozone). It made a HUGE difference! I used to have to fiddle with the choke when I came to a stop sign to keep from stalling out--no more of that--it idles pefectly now and is a lot more responsive. Needless to say, I'm a happy man...thanks for the wiring diagrams...I'm sure I'll have LOTS more questions for you Ford truck gurus...there's much left to be done...

 

Looks great! If the 223 is anything like the 300, it should run cool all the time with a good radiator. With no thermostat, my 300 hardly gets off the cold mark in 100 degree weather.

Gil

 

Looks great.. I will be doing the alternaor thing soon. id my rediator awhile back, but the truck is still in rebuild

JimG 1098