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Old May 4, 2010 | 08:43 PM
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Some questions

Hello, I registered just to get some information on a truck I would like to get/build one day. Before I get started I want to make it clear, I have a very limited knowledge when it comes to engines for trucks and vehicle components in general, so if I say something in the post that strikes you odd, thats the reason.

I want a get my hands on a 79' ford. I have always preferred the old "style" bodies that the late 70's had, just plain looks more like a "truck" than the new ones.

What I would like to get/build is one near to this one: Ford Truck Enthusiasts Pictorial
Now I know back in the day, the biggest stock factory engine that came with them was a 460, from what I have read. Now my big question is, could a V10 be fit into one of these trucks? If so, with the correct transmission and other components, could the truck handle/make full use of a V10? Finally, what kind of price range am I looking at for a good V10 engine minus the transmission and other parts.

Again I know very little about these things other than they look good. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:01 PM
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Why a V-10 ? The 460 will out perform it in every way (except emissions maybe). If fuel injection is what your preference is, you can find a few trucks here with EFI 460's that perform nicely and look great !!!

Everyone here will agree with you on the looks, and asking questions is the best way to learn .
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:07 PM
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Well, like I said, I know very little about these things. I assumed a V10, which is what they put in new ford 350's and 250's right? would be the most powerful gasoline engine for a truck like this. That is I am sure theres a point where the power just cannot be made of full use by the truck.

DaytonaTunnel, I take it you are quite familiar with this type of job, what would a real "ballparK" figure be in modding an plain f150 up to something like this. I assume my best bet would be to look high and low for someone with one very similar, and build off whats salvageable right?
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:17 PM
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I think a big question is what do you want to do with the truck?

Show, haul, camp, dump, trash-haul, 4x4, rock crawl, drag, mud, plow, etc

After you answer that your original questions take different shapes, obviously if this is a drag truck or a trash-hauler or just a worksite plywood hauler the amount of cash you would put into modifications to the truck to get a V10 are a bit on the insane side.

so a V10 engine is going to run you about 2500 depending on your shopping etc. However that is for a new engine (only) which will require a computer, ignition, emissions, intake etc etc etc etc that you will not have in the 70's truck..

this brings us to a new point... its cheaper for you to modify the body of a 1970's ford to fit a new truck

I just put a new engine in my 78 and it cost me 2000 1:1 swap that truck has a 400 in it and I can pull a foundation out from a house. It also has a guarantee for 70,000 so for 2k I have a "new truck" that I finished in 2 weeks

food for thought
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:24 PM
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I appreciate the posts guys,

For the use of the truck, its basically going to do work. I want the ability to do some mild mountain climbing (not climbing cliffs). I would like a 8 ft bed for hauling big things (fence posts), wood, etc. My family has a rather large farm in northern Virginia, so basically a truck that can negotiate extreme weather, pull loads, as well as haul them.

So no shows, no drags, maybe some mud slinging

I am really curiuos though, Daytona says a 460 would out perform a or some V10's , that would be great. Also, there are no V10's that could be mounted without a complete overhaul of the trucks electronics?
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by spudgunman
this brings us to a new point... its cheaper for you to modify the body of a 1970's ford to fit a new truck
could you elaborate a little more there, I do not follow 100%
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:32 PM
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Spudgun's question was right on the $$$. And your answer says a lot. If your not worried about cost, then give the V10 a shot. It would be unique, as I haven't seen one installed in a dentside ('73-'79) to date.

But more importantly, your answer suggests a well built 400, which will require no modifications what so ever. In almost all cases, cubic inches or amount of cylinders don't win, it's all in the design. Selecting the correct fuel delivery, ignition, intake, etc., etc. will in the end give you a very powerful and reliable truck w/o mortgaging your house to build it.

Keep asking, we'll keep answerin'
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by FM20
I am really curiuos though, Daytona says a 460 would out perform a or some V10's , that would be great. Also, there are no V10's that could be mounted without a complete overhaul of the trucks electronics?
dont forget a full overhaul of the truck to mount transmission to the new engine

unless you happen to be handy with machine tools this is quite a large project.

you might try looking for old V10 motor home engines I think they made them back in the day with a V10 here and there.

as for performance, here is a analogy I like to apply to trucks, when you say "out perform" assuming we don't want a engine just to compensate for ***** issues (which is fine just not accounting for that here)

truck engines come in three types. engines that will pull a 5th wheel, and engines that will pull a 5th wheel at 70mph uphill. engines that will go 0-60 in 3.5

each engine is more expensive, the last in the 10k a second lost category.

so again its what you want to do.. .what you just said about a farm truck that you can burn some rubber on I would look at the 390 engine, you get towing and spinning in that engine
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by FM20
could you elaborate a little more there, I do not follow 100%
buy a new V10 ford or whatever you want then get a good body/box for a 1970's truck and mount it to the new frame.. modify the dash etc shifters then weld it all up

that way you have what looks like a 1970 truck with the body/cab etc bench seat!!

but you are driving a 2009 dodge truck or whatever
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:40 PM
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Could I make full use out of a V10 with a body like I have described (79 f150 lifted). What would be a ballpark figure on a conversion like this? Say I found one already lifted. What would it cost to convert it to a V10 with say, duel exhaust?
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by spudgunman
buy a new V10 ford or whatever you want then get a good body/box for a 1970's truck and mount it to the new frame.. modify the dash etc shifters then weld it all up

that way you have what looks like a 1970 truck with the body/cab etc bench seat!!

but you are driving a 2009 dodge truck or whatever
Yeah, I don't think thats what I would want really. That would be cheaper than converting a stock 79 f150 to accept a v10?

I guess in the end a fuel injected 460 would be my best bet. Dumb question: did 79's have AC if not, could that be modded in easily.
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by FM20
Could I make full use out of a V10 with a body like I have described (79 f150 lifted). What would be a ballpark figure on a conversion like this? Say I found one already lifted. What would it cost to convert it to a V10 with say, duel exhaust?
depends on your experience, since you have none (as you stated) lets assume all shop paid work.

total guess but I would say 15-30 thousand for labor and parts (your basically buying a V10 and putting it into the old truck (which is why I suggested buying a new truck and putting a old body on it more in the 7-10 range depending on how nice you make it)
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by FM20
Yeah, I don't think thats what I would want really. That would be cheaper than converting a stock 79 f150 to accept a v10?

I guess in the end a fuel injected 460 would be my best bet. Dumb question: did 79's have AC if not, could that be modded in easily.
hell yes cheaper, since you own a working V10 at that point, yes they have AC back then, if your asking if a old truck has AC I recommend even more that you get a new truck and flip the body.

a FI 460 is your least costly of all the options that you have asked about so far
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:51 PM
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So with a juiced up 460, thats more power than I would need probably but still on par with a v10?
What kind of horses are we talking about with fuel injection. I wouldn't be pulling trailers mostly due to the lift, but I would still like to have alot of torque
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:55 PM
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well I think a straight six with a intake and headers and 4 with granny is a awesome engine but I also have a well 'filled' wife...

so that question is all about how much money and the dyno number that you want to pay for. so yes it is possible
 
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