Some concerns...
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Some concerns...
My wife decided yesterday to buy me a 1973 long bed, instead of the shortbed that i was looking at. Truck seems to be in decent running shape, but i have a few assorted questions about some things that i noticed...
First off... 1973 F100 Long bed, 302 (2brl) W/automatic.
I know the truck has a power steering fluid leak, i can see it and the tank for it is empty, so i filled it up.
Brakes... convinced i have a leak somewhere... cant spot it, dont have the truck on, but it doesnt build up pressure like im used to.... I did check the master cylinder and its low on fluid... will have to add and look for leaks
Shifter assembly... i can literally take it from park all the way to 1st without touching the brakes... is this correct? guy who i bought it from used the line "its a ford"... i am a bit concerned about this
how do you clean out a gas tank... ie what chemicals, solvents etc? Do i need to clean the lines as well or just brun up fuel filters till it runs for a while, lol?
ill be adding more as i think about it... thanks in advance
First off... 1973 F100 Long bed, 302 (2brl) W/automatic.
I know the truck has a power steering fluid leak, i can see it and the tank for it is empty, so i filled it up.
Brakes... convinced i have a leak somewhere... cant spot it, dont have the truck on, but it doesnt build up pressure like im used to.... I did check the master cylinder and its low on fluid... will have to add and look for leaks
Shifter assembly... i can literally take it from park all the way to 1st without touching the brakes... is this correct? guy who i bought it from used the line "its a ford"... i am a bit concerned about this
how do you clean out a gas tank... ie what chemicals, solvents etc? Do i need to clean the lines as well or just brun up fuel filters till it runs for a while, lol?
ill be adding more as i think about it... thanks in advance
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
I think what he means is it's not like a newer truck that you have to hold the brake in order to move the shifter. You can not get my SuperDuty out of park unless you push the brake pedal. You can move the shifter on these old ones wether the brake is pushed or not, perfectly normal.
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I think what he means is it's not like a newer truck that you have to hold the brake in order to move the shifter. You can not get my SuperDuty out of park unless you push the brake pedal. You can move the shifter on these old ones wether the brake is pushed or not, perfectly normal.
thank you, guess i should have clarified that a bit better... weirds me out not having to push the brakes to get into drive...
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I think everyone missed the obvious on this thread? Your wife bought you a 73 f100. Mine doesn't always share my exuberance when my buddy and I load up the family van and head out for an eight hour drive (each way) to pick up a 73 F350 a couple states away, and then o my god it has surface rust on the hood!!! Now every dollar you put in this truck isn't for a truck you bought but one she decided on. Its like a freaking get out of jail card for your debit card/checking account. You can't lose. O yes Jealous Much !!!
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Minnesota
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I think everyone missed the obvious on this thread? Your wife bought you a 73 f100. Mine doesn't always share my exuberance when my buddy and I load up the family van and head out for an eight hour drive (each way) to pick up a 73 F350 a couple states away, and then o my god it has surface rust on the hood!!! Now every dollar you put in this truck isn't for a truck you bought but one she decided on. Its like a freaking get out of jail card for your debit card/checking account. You can't lose. O yes Jealous Much !!!
so... back to the thread topic... can anyone recomend solvents/cleaners etc for cleaning out a gas tank... ill be dropping it tonight or tomorrow and dont feel like driving 45 min to get it caustic washed but i might have to... any simple DIY at home stuff i can use to clean it out with???
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Minnesota
I dont know how well it will work in a tank that large, but a long time ago I cleaned a snowmobile gas tank by pouring a little diesel fuel and a container of BB's into it and shaking it around. If you can get most of the crud and junk out this way I would be tempted to try an epoxy type sealer after that. How do you know the tank needs to be cleaned? if its not rusty, just has old gas and sludge, brake cleaner should do a pretty good job. Some have talked about phosphoric acid as a way of cleaning it nice and clean, but claim it can give you problems down the road unless it is neutralized. I would suggest a google search.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Minnesota
Here is the sealer I was thinking about. I have never used it, but I have heard its the best. Scroll down and read about the Red Kote.
Fuel Tank Sealer
Fuel Tank Sealer
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the dummy who has had the truck for a couple months filled up the tank with bad gas. gas was sitting in an above ground tank and when it rained it got water in, so its fouling the carb, filters etc... i know i can reuse the gas thats on top because water will settle to the bottom, but i would rather just go ahead and wipe it clean. as far as junk in the tank im not sure how bad it will be, i realy dont think it would be to bad but i just want to make sure i know everything about it before i go off and do this.
i tried to look it via google and found some articles, but first hand experience is always a plus!
i tried to look it via google and found some articles, but first hand experience is always a plus!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Stanley, VA
If you're going to the trouble to pull the tank and clean it, why not replace it with a new one? Yeah, they're $100-$150 but you'll have a completely clean, leak free tank that will give you years of trouble free service.
Blow out the fuel lines with compressed air and replace any neoprene lines w/ new.
In '73 they didn't have a brake/shifter interlock, they didn't even know what that is! Shifting from park all the way through to low without touching the brake, completely normal.
Do you have power brakes? Was the m/cylinder low in the rear reservoir only? If yes, then pull the vacuum line off at the booster and check for brake fluid. The m/cylinder could be leaking at the rear into the brake booster. You wouldn't see this leak. If all looks to be okay pull the rear wheels and drums and check the wheel cylinders for leaks.
P. Steering, fill the reservoir and check for leaks. It could be leaking anywhere in the system.
Blow out the fuel lines with compressed air and replace any neoprene lines w/ new.
In '73 they didn't have a brake/shifter interlock, they didn't even know what that is! Shifting from park all the way through to low without touching the brake, completely normal.
Do you have power brakes? Was the m/cylinder low in the rear reservoir only? If yes, then pull the vacuum line off at the booster and check for brake fluid. The m/cylinder could be leaking at the rear into the brake booster. You wouldn't see this leak. If all looks to be okay pull the rear wheels and drums and check the wheel cylinders for leaks.
P. Steering, fill the reservoir and check for leaks. It could be leaking anywhere in the system.
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Buying a new tank is an option, but i dont really want to spend the 150ish on a new tank... i am trying with exception of the interior of the truck to stay with the complete and original parts. This truck has zero rust on the bottom, just dirty. tank is in great shape from the underside, just want to get it cleaned out and put in fresh gas.
yes it has power brakes....as far as the master cylinder goes, it was low. im gonna have to fill it up and see if its still in working condition, aparently less than a month ago, the truck was mobile and able to moved from place to place. parts arent to expensive, just trying to use what i have.
yes it has power brakes....as far as the master cylinder goes, it was low. im gonna have to fill it up and see if its still in working condition, aparently less than a month ago, the truck was mobile and able to moved from place to place. parts arent to expensive, just trying to use what i have.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: penn twp.
lets not forget that these old fords as much as i love em the never had a good trully firm pedal feel like the new trucks. and had further pedal travel than most. so that take a little getting used to as well. i've even had a few inspection mechs. want to fail my truck because of this. and when i told thje to fix it and i'd pay for it but if they couldn't they would have to pay mee for my trucks down time for their playing around they just shut up and passed it