'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
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From: The hell portion of the southwest
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
I have the opportunity to buy a 1973 Ranchero with a 400 6.6L 2BBL engine in it. Included is a 351C with an additional C-6 tranny.
The thing is, the only thing in the engine bay is the 400. The rest of the stuff has been sitting in the bed for almost a year, if not more. It's been covered for all the time.
Is it worth the 500 they are asking? Would it be a terribly long and hard process of getting the thing back to just running, as it was before the owner decided to rebuild, but never got to taking the engine out?
If so, how hard would it be to put the thing back together and get the engine to the point where it's not smoking. Replace the piston rings and get the heads redone? Think that most of the parts for the engine need to be replaced if they've been sitting for a year?
The thing is, the only thing in the engine bay is the 400. The rest of the stuff has been sitting in the bed for almost a year, if not more. It's been covered for all the time.
Is it worth the 500 they are asking? Would it be a terribly long and hard process of getting the thing back to just running, as it was before the owner decided to rebuild, but never got to taking the engine out?
If so, how hard would it be to put the thing back together and get the engine to the point where it's not smoking. Replace the piston rings and get the heads redone? Think that most of the parts for the engine need to be replaced if they've been sitting for a year?
Last edited by 73ranchero400; Feb 11, 2003 at 11:48 PM.
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From: PacNW
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
Hmm...a 1973 Ranchero with a 400 you say? Since 1973 was the only year for the small bolt pattern 400 you might have a very desirable engine right there. Assuming the block is in good shape and rebuildable you could get a few bucks for it. Either way I'd say a decent vehicle with 2 engines is a very good deal for $500. The 351C alone could be sold for that assuming it's in decent shape.
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From: chicago burbs
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
if the car is in decent shape, or the if the 400 has the same bolt pattern as the clevo, or even if it doesn't $500 sounds like a grab bag steal. is the clevo assembled or taken apart and rusted? as for how much to repair it operating is completely up to you, depending on your abilities w/the tools and the condition of the parts you have to work with. if i wasn't in the middle of my own 72 ranchero project(i need a tailgate and bumper and will probably end up paying close to $500 just for them) and if i had the $ right now i would come get it for myself. the question is do you want one or not?
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From: The hell portion of the southwest
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
Originally posted by grclark351
if the car is in decent shape, or the if the 400 has the same bolt pattern as the clevo, or even if it doesn't $500 sounds like a grab bag steal. is the clevo assembled or taken apart and rusted? as for how much to repair it operating is completely up to you, depending on your abilities w/the tools and the condition of the parts you have to work with. if i wasn't in the middle of my own 72 ranchero project(i need a tailgate and bumper and will probably end up paying close to $500 just for them) and if i had the $ right now i would come get it for myself. the question is do you want one or not?
if the car is in decent shape, or the if the 400 has the same bolt pattern as the clevo, or even if it doesn't $500 sounds like a grab bag steal. is the clevo assembled or taken apart and rusted? as for how much to repair it operating is completely up to you, depending on your abilities w/the tools and the condition of the parts you have to work with. if i wasn't in the middle of my own 72 ranchero project(i need a tailgate and bumper and will probably end up paying close to $500 just for them) and if i had the $ right now i would come get it for myself. the question is do you want one or not?
The 351C has the pistons in it and the crank, everything else is off of it. The 400 is sitting in the engine bay all alone. Both engines look to be in pretty good shape, the 400 a little better since it has been sitting in the bay.
As for me wanting the car, you betcha. I plan on putting some money into it once I get it. I just needed to see how long it would take to get it back to running (which it was about a year ago) so the association here doesn't come down on me.
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From: chicago burbs
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
i know what you mean about "the association", they aren't the hip groove band anymore! whatever you do, don't upset "the association". i can almost guarantee from way over here where i'm at that "the association" will not appreciate a restoration project. i'm in an appartment and got away with it by doing the major moves after dark. i have a garage and parking spaces right next to it. do i have to tell you that fuel stains do not clean up off of asphault? do they have rules about current plates and designated parking and cars that don't move? i hate that crap!
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'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
98% of the 400s used the big block 429/460 trans bolt pattern. A few were made in '73 with a small block trans bolt pattern. FMX transmissions can have either big block or small block patterns. Look for a D3AE-B casting # or the 5 bosses on either side for bolting both 400 and small block motor mounts.
See.
http://members.tripod.com/lyc_42/fengpix1/odd400.jpg
See.
http://members.tripod.com/lyc_42/fengpix1/odd400.jpg
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'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
iF IT'S SMALLBLOck 400, I'll buy the block or swap blocks with extra $$$ from you if you want to sell it depending on where you're located.
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From: The hell portion of the southwest
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
*sigh* Well, it doesn't seem like it's going to go through. I had my friend's dad take a look, and he said it would take way too much work to get everything back in order. The 400 mod was full of garbage because they really didn't have it covered like they said they did. The 351C was rusted. Most of the parts were rusted and I'm assuming there's crap in the gas tank and every other part of the Ranchero.
I would buy the car to part it out to you fine folks, but the sellers turned mean tonight, so the deal's off.
I would buy the car to part it out to you fine folks, but the sellers turned mean tonight, so the deal's off.
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From: The hell portion of the southwest
'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
Originally posted by hellraiser
Will the owner entertain any other buyers? If so, do you have a number?
I'm a few steps ahead of you now Brian
Will the owner entertain any other buyers? If so, do you have a number?
I'm a few steps ahead of you now Brian
But trust me, you don't really want to deal with them. Also, the engines aren't in the best of shape, if you're trying to get them. The 400 is full of leaves and other crap. The 351C has rust.
If you're looking for a body part or anything that's not in the engine bay, then tell me and I'm PM the number.
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'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
A few steps ahead on a wild goose chase. No one ever said it was a D3AE-B block. I only described what he should look for to ID one. At least we have a real picture of one.
The factory 400 4V intake is like sightings of the Loch Ness Monster.
The factory 400 4V intake is like sightings of the Loch Ness Monster.
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'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
No wild goose chase if it's a '73. It's hard to find a '73 Ford anything. You never said it was a FMX 400, however, it's a good chance it is. Just need to verify. I only need the block.As long as it's not cracked, and able to be bored I'm interested.Can you please email me a contact phone number 73 Ranchero400?
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'73 Ranchero 400 mod - worth it?
"As long as it's not cracked, and able to be bored"
Are you going to ask them to tear it apart, measure the bore, and have it magged for you?
"Included is a 351C with an additional C-6 tranny. "
Implied the 400 has a C6.
I have a '73 Ford with an original 400. It's the right year, wrong block.
Are these FMX blocks prone to the same cracking problems as the other pre '77 blocks?
Are you going to ask them to tear it apart, measure the bore, and have it magged for you?
"Included is a 351C with an additional C-6 tranny. "
Implied the 400 has a C6.
I have a '73 Ford with an original 400. It's the right year, wrong block.
Are these FMX blocks prone to the same cracking problems as the other pre '77 blocks?