My 1984 F150 Rebuild
 

Hello,
I just wanted to share my rebuild with everyone in hopes of words of encouragement and maybe some help along the way! I started working on this truck about a year ago. I used to drive this truck back in high school and finally acquired it from my folks. It was my grandfather's truck, which was passed down through the family tree down to me and even my younger brother. It had been sitting in my folks back yard for about 10 years till i was able to get shop to take it in out of the elements. The speedometer has rolled over some many times that I have lost count on how many miles it has, but my older brother put many miles on it driving from Atlanta to ABAC (Tifton, GA). I know she looks like a lot of work, but I love working on this truck. I have been called crazy and dumb for putting money into this truck where I could go out and buy a better one, but it has sentimental value to me and I can't let it go. It was actually entered into a mud bogging contest when my brother had it in college and he competed against a pretty worthy opponent. He spray painted the name Uncle Jesse on the sides, along with Hazard CO. Pulling Team on the tailgate and the rest is history. He won by literally an inch. Needless to say, the name has stuck and I am going to turn this truck into the "Superman" truck it's supposed to be without forgetting it's Uncle Jesse roots. I have plans to turn it into 4WD and build a wooded flat bed for it. It has been a blast so far and can wait to see my finished product! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...984bb4b369.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...7c052309fe.jpg

Before

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...1a81b7d98a.jpg

Rusted holes in the cab floor in the corners and near the doors.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...3d3fb0039f.jpg

300 Inline 6

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...73b13cc5e7.jpg

Water in the engine

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...798ff66120.jpg

Bearing wear

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...f73dd41cfd.jpg

Ready to take to the machine shop

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...e99a47750e.jpg

Deconstruction

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...0bf5aa57b2.jpg

Back from the shop! Never seen it this color!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...61aa87a739.jpg

More deconstruction

Engine before

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...2ba9b2ba84.jpg

More evidence of water

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...8bd86ae4b5.jpg

Rusted camshaft

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...46d5ce4bf5.jpg

So many parts!

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...0762665c3e.jpg

New freeze plugs

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...13602cd9ef.jpg

Polished Crank

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...f356cb7500.jpg

Head was warped

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...fa4c9cc5a9.jpg

Bed removal

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...b47f2e1ade.jpg

Bed was in rough shape

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...40bd190ca2.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...e150fea1bb.jpg

Anyone want a bed?

Looks good!

It looks good. You are doing it right with the engine. Be very clean with all of the assembly of it. Good luck on the project.

Welcome to FTE.
Other than the motor rebuild you still have a little way to go to get to what I did.
See the link in the signature for my project.
Dave ----

Welcome to FTE! I'm happy to follow along and provide virtual hands on your project, and especially one with such sentimental value. Where are you located?

loving this build!!

What are your plans for the engine? stock build? Keeping stock tire size?

I really dig the shop, looks very clean and has all the creature comforts you could want.

The bed looks to me looks like it is still usable - but your removal method seemed to muck it it up some. Are you planning to reuse it?

I know you have to work with the tools you have. Some sawhorses and 4x4s might have been easier if you were/are able to roll the truck.

Your off to a good start.
Good luck.

I thought the same thing. A few years ago, when I was probably 65, a friend of mine and I carried a bed quite a ways. They aren't all that heavy is the point.

Welcome to the forum, Andrew Pollard! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks everyone for the welcome! I have stalled a little bit because I have been having trouble removing the old camshaft gear, so I can reuse the thrust plate behind it. I saw someone drill thread holes into one to pull it off. For some reason every claw pulley I own buckles when I try to extend it out. I don't have a set of die and taps yet and don't have the $150 to put down on a good set. Plan on getting some help with the cab this weekend, so I don't mess it up like I did the bed. I will post pictures when we get the cab off. Again, thanks for the welcomes and hope to here from you in the future post!

Thanks! I wasn't really interested in saving the bed because I want to turn it into a flat bed, but your right I should have been gentler. lol There was some pretty serious holes in the corners closest to the cab and one of the tie down holes was completely torn. I just feel I could haul bigger things with the flat bed. Plus, it gives me an excuse to work on some of my welding skills!

Thanks! Right now, I am just doing a stock engine build. I might do some engine upgrades later on down the road, but I need a truck! lol I would like to lift the truck a few inches, which from what I have researched I will have to do if I would like to turn it into a 4x4.
Thanks for the comment on my shop. I try to keep it nice and tidy. I do some woodworking on the side when I am not teaching, and when I am not doing that I am working on the truck. The previous owner used to be a cabinet maker, there is plugs and lighting everywhere. The plugs are all ran on different fuses and numbered, so I don't trip one from overload.

Thanks and it's great to have someone in my corner on the sentimental value! I live in Mount Airy, Georgia. About an hour and 30 minutes North of Atlanta.

Thanks! I try to keep my shop as clean as possible to prevent FM (Foreign Material) I got that from the Pete's Garage youtube videos on engine rebuilds. All down to gloves and lots of wipe downs from lint free microfiber cloths!

Awesome build Dave! I wish I had the means/skills to do some of the body work my self. I have never done any body work before, but your build helped me with figuring out how I am going to fix those rusted cab corners. What is up with those corners? Are they magnets to rust? Our builds are almost identical! I plan on putting a T18 in my truck also. You will have to let me know what you think about it when you get to test it out. Thanks for the share! I will definitely keep in touch!