Spring chat thread
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: muscatine abouts
morning all. sounds like every one is updating drive trains. not raining here yet. but wind is blowing and its cold air. wife wont let me drive so i rode to decora and back. my right rotater cuff is acting up again no usem
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Omaha/Elkhorn, NE
Probably will Steve. Just easier getting parts, and set ups for the 351.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 361
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From: muscatine abouts
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111,873
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From: Wharton, NJ
He never listens to the doctor, he always does the complete opposite....he can't lift either of his arms above his head....
and whats worse he was supposed to go in for the surgery, and they wouldn't do it because he had high blood pressure, 28 years old with high blood pressure, was supposed to diet and take care of himself, he gained weight and got fired from his job with medical insurance!
and whats worse he was supposed to go in for the surgery, and they wouldn't do it because he had high blood pressure, 28 years old with high blood pressure, was supposed to diet and take care of himself, he gained weight and got fired from his job with medical insurance!
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I've had both shoulders dislocated over the years... right one bothers more than the left, but over all don't cause too much trouble luckily, but over the head work gets tough.
I'm just looking to update to what came one year later... Got 4.10 gears int he back, and the ol' 6.9 howls at road speed. It'll pull about anything I hook up to it, just could use one more gear...
I've actually found the FE motors are pretty well supported, might not have the parts right there, but there is a good aftermarket support for them. I personally haven't had a whole lot of luck keeping them together though... plenty of torque, just had to be fixed regularly. Went through 3 motors in my old 75... two 390's and one 360. First one ripped the rod end off at idle, the next had a wrist pin keeper fail and the pin wore 1/8" grooves in two cylinder walls, then the last just didn't want to run right... I had so much into the truck and still couldn't run it, so I cut my losses and got out from under it.
My 78 shortbed has an M in it now, looking to change it out for a W, pretty much have everything I need to do it, now it is a matter of time and ambition... the whole body needs worked over as well.
I'm just looking to update to what came one year later... Got 4.10 gears int he back, and the ol' 6.9 howls at road speed. It'll pull about anything I hook up to it, just could use one more gear...
I've actually found the FE motors are pretty well supported, might not have the parts right there, but there is a good aftermarket support for them. I personally haven't had a whole lot of luck keeping them together though... plenty of torque, just had to be fixed regularly. Went through 3 motors in my old 75... two 390's and one 360. First one ripped the rod end off at idle, the next had a wrist pin keeper fail and the pin wore 1/8" grooves in two cylinder walls, then the last just didn't want to run right... I had so much into the truck and still couldn't run it, so I cut my losses and got out from under it.
My 78 shortbed has an M in it now, looking to change it out for a W, pretty much have everything I need to do it, now it is a matter of time and ambition... the whole body needs worked over as well.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 208,480
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From: Omaha/Elkhorn, NE
I've run 390's before, but those were in cars. I do like the torque #'s I can get from an FE, but probably won't be doing much towing (since I'll still have the diesel). I'll be driving this thing a lot, so that's something I have to take into consideration. I have checked to see what it would take to get a 5 speed behind a 351W, with the 4 wheel drive.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
One thing about the FE's is that I generally didn't get great fuel mileage... they were definitely thirsty motors. Best 5 speed would be a ZF, but the Mazda for daily use would be ok as well. Ihave the ZF in the 88 with a windsor, could probably use a going through, but the truck isn't really worth doing too much to it. Pretty much just a farm truck now, it is pretty tore up. The diesel is in decent shape, but if I don't get after it soon, it won't be... the box is pretty well shot, kicking around the idea of just going flatbed, but just not sure if I want to. If I do, it will likely be a dump bed as well...
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 208,480
Likes: 408
From: Omaha/Elkhorn, NE
That is one thing I don't like about going with the FE, is the mileage. I'd like the idea of a 351 with the ZF 5 speed, though. Never know, I've got a year or so to decide. Maybe I'll save the 390 for the 66-67 Fairlane I want to get after the truck is done!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: muscatine abouts
well the box was a model older than what he needs pat. you guys are right never had a 390 that got better than 10. im a fan of fuel injection. diesel is to expensive to repair for me as not really needed and i think they last longer if worked. dont care for the electronic injected diesel there nice for diagnostic but seem to have to many breakdowns that take time to get parts