Ok guys I'm new here and the names James and 19 years old. I'm looking to buy a 64 or 65 F100 around the beginning of winter for a project over 2-3 years or less. This will be my first build. I will have my dad to help me along the way he has been a Ford mechanic for over 20 years. I've got some questions about what to use and prices.

List of what to know -
Motor - 408w stroker motor in, will this requir modifications to the bay if so easy hard light to heavy mods?
Transmission - Not sure on a transmission, any recommendations? The motor will be putting out around 450 hp.
Frame - what is a good way to protect a frame what coatings and what not.
Paint - I have a body shop in town here that does good work and my dad is good friends with the owner. What would be a typical procedure for a old truck like this?

Here are pictures of two truck I'm looking at, not sure which i should jump on. The 64 looks a lot cleaner than the 65 but will still need to look at both. Things to look for while checking them out?

64-



65



Any help would be appreciated.


James

 

James Welcome to FTE. Both trucks in your photo have 65 grills. Can't tell from the angle but the lower appears to have twin I-beams making it a 65 for sure. The red one is a Custom Cab side & windshield trim.

A 65 or newer will allow you to use bolt up parts for power disc brakes & steering.

My personal recommendation is stay away from older than 65s because of that upgrade availability.

Have no idea of you are referring to 408W, that is not a known Ford engine.

Question for you, how much money are you willing to spend in the next couple years? That will tell us more than you know.

From what you have posted you are already talking $8-10,000.00






John

 

Thanks for the fast reply John. The 408w is a 351w stroker motor. It already sounds like the 65 will be the way to go cause of the better option of power brakes and such. That 65 has a tag of 1550.00. Not sure on prices. This build will be a build of parts by parts by parts. If I could estimate, Probably around 18,000-20,000. The motor may be a little to much on the price end but my other choice was a 351w which is about 2-3 grand cheaper. These are crate engines.

 

Welcome to FTE. You will find mostly good info here. I agree on the 65 and newer idea. I looked for a 65-66 because of the modern features. The base of those trucks remained mostly the same until 1979. So upgrades are easier. 64 and back have cab reasons that make them harder, and the engines mount front and rear which makes putting some sort of cross member a requirement to get a later model engine.

Good luck with your build post questions here, and you shoudl be able to get past most issues.

 

Power steering on a 64 is trickier,but they make bolt on front disc conversions for 64.

 

Not from FORD!




John

 

Welcome to FTE!

Before we go too much farther on pros and cons....you do know that BOTH the red one AND the turquoise one are '65's...right?

 

Looks like they're both 65's to me.Welcome to FTE.looks like you'll have no problem going.Just stopping.65 and up would be my choice for all the bolt ups.Plus the twin I-beams for ride.

 

If I were to choose between those two, I would go with the custom cab...maybe its the way I'm looking at it, but does the blue one look like it has some sag in the middle? Is it just me?

Shane


One other thing...I have a 78 and a 65. The 65 is a frame up resto I'm starting very soon and the one thing I've found is that the replacement parts are not as readily available as the other series. Its almost as if the 61-66 models are a black hole for parts (I'm talking mostly sheet metal, body parts, and interior pieces).

 

I to noticed the "sag" will have to check it out when I decide to purchase. I'm starting to think around the middle or end of November is when I'll have to go see these trucks in person and carefully check them both out. May even find out if the red is a 65 instead of a 64. Anyone have a chart for reading vins to the year? And how do I tell if it's the i-beam chassis.

 

I'm not as good with tranny knowledge as motor wise. Any want to give opinions of this package? Will it work, what kind of modifications if any?

Engine - Ford Crate Engines, 351w 440HP Roller Crate Engines,
Transmission - TCI Auto: StreetRodder™ Transmission; '66 & Later C6 13 1/2" Tailshaft (289, 302, 351C, 351W)

I do notice the details say 66 and later. Any help? I am open to any other company transmissions to. Just trying to get the major things on a list.

 

Hi there, Welcome to FTE.
Personally, I'd go with the 65 (red one)...both have the 65 grill...lotsa guys swap 'em out too....looks pretty nice, and it's a Custom Cab, with all that nice side trim and window trim....and you can't beat the twin I-beams. As far as areas to look for...take a close look at the window rain gutters for rust...these truck are known to rot there due to the body sealant breaking down with age and allowing water between the joints. Open up the door panels and check out the inside of the doors for rust...lotsa guys can do wonders with bondo from the outside, but most turn their attention away from the inside...bites them in the behind eventually. Try and look at the floors for rust....and the rockers...if it doesn't have any, I'd bet it was in a time capsule. New floor pans can be installed (available as new repros)....also, check for rust in the cab frame cross sections in the frame, as there is an open area where pounds of dirt and moisture will have collected. Look at the Core support too, (behind the headlights)...many have serious cancer there, and good ones go for $400 or so, pulled from clean wrecks. As far as a frame off resto cost...be prepared for expense....I've heard guys spend tons there. I'm not much of a veteran here either, but the site is a great source of knowledge! It's really the "sky is the limit"...as far as you want to go man!
Good luck!

 

BTW,
Sounds like that engine will set you back....big time. A stock 302 or 352 would be sweet.
You could cam it up, carb it up, and just plain pimp out a pretty stock motor for very little dough. Personally,
I never understand pimping a truck motor so much? For what? So you can haul your junk to the scrap yard faster?
Just never made sense to me....no offense to you engine gurus...you guys blow me away with those tuned super horses....I'm just an old fashioned lug nut.

 

This truck isn't going to be used like a truck. Going to basically be a nice resto that I can have for around town and take to shows and what not. But the motor will keep me happier than a stock engine.

 

I am surprised no one else noticed that both trucks have 65 fenders. Grills are easy to swap out, but swapping out a front clip is harder. I would say that makes both of them 65's.