Went with Maude for the name

Starting on Page 12, mid December 2024 plans have changed a bit as now have a 96 Mark VIII running and driving and will begin selling off parts and tearing down the Mark VIII to swap everything over - engine, trans, ecu and wiring, full harness, rear IRS will be upgraded with FTBR kit and few things. Need to do a few more things with the Mark VIII running and driving then will start cleaning garage and organizing so can fit everything in properly labelled and that means stuff for sale as well!

Original thought was Earl - youngest daughter (only one that still lives with us 7 now) loves Smokey, and wife and I love Maude (because it's old school name and I'll be Modding the truck). Can't seem to name it, no hurry though as I believe in the next few weeks will be finishing up the first round of mod's and have bck to daily driving duties while I build funds and parts for next winter.

Truck is a 1965 F100, I did a post in the New Members area shortly after I purchased it but decided I'm going to do a build thread here and post the updates to this area. So Let me consolidate here:
Afternoon,

New member here to this forum - been an avid forum guy since BBS's in the late 90's and honestly a few things have happened that pissed me off about forums - Photobucket getting greedy - and alot of my old builds are no longer showing up, Social Media move so it's so much harder to find threads with pics and searches aren't as functional as they used to be. Seems we have some good guys here and I found my way here doing research for my new to me 65 F100 short bed. I have built alot of vehicles - it's an addiction and I fully own it - all told every major brand but seem to always end up back in a Mustang as my "toy". I traded a fully built 83 Notchback that I was just tired of honestly as the 4 years I was working on it I was fixing what previous owners had screwed up and not making it go fast most of the time. I did however build a Mexican block 347 with Forged Eagle crank, Scat rods, and Keith black forged pistons topped with Edelbrock single plane - I had it - coupled to AFR Renegade 205's and ran the vaccum secondary 850 Holley. It had alot more in it as I built the fuel system for boost with PTFE 8an feed and 6an return and was running a stock modified (baffle, sump, and return I welded in and sealed) tank. I just fell out of love with the car over the years, best I ran it was a 6.02 in the 8th, but I was at a point with it I needed a block to add the boost I was looking for and had decided the suspension was getting pulled and re-worked. I traded straight across for my new 65 F100. I believe I came out ahead on everything but the Heads - I REALLY wish I would have grabbed some GT40P's and put them on and tinkered to get it running right before I traded, mainly because I'm cheap lol.

I did the trade in late September, and drove it completely as I received it since then, last weekend I got out to get some baseline's on the 302 and C4 - it was pretty pathetic. Best was a 1.42 at 64 mph with absolutely perfect conditions, no worries for tire slip but I'm fighting myself on just doing the CV front end and keeping the F100 frame, but this will be a daily with curvy roads and autocross in mind, so the CV frame swap to have power steering, power brakes, disk all the way around, ABS, cruise, a/c and heat are kinda winning me over. Would do the firewall grafting and weld up my own mounts if I go that way. The ONLY sticking point at this time is the bed, I don't really want to chop the bed, but would love to have the Watts link in the rear, and I already have a rebuild 31 spline track lock to throw in that I had just finished for the stang. I also have a full set of authentic Saleens from my Saleen I had in the past in 18x9 front and 18x10 rear - they are what it will start with once I get the suspension or frame swap figured out.

Anyway this will be covered in my rants in my build thread that I will start soon. Just wanted to get registered and say hello, plan is to build this to my desire and keep. But I have an issue of keeping them once I finish them, or get to a point where it takes more.

The 302 that is in the truck was a Sears motor that was bought from ELK or something and have the receipt from 1987, has less than 7k (I have put 1500 on it in last few months) on the truck since it was done (will be pulling intake manifold to see if it's a roller motor, if it's not then I'm going 4.6 or 5.4 build more than likely but will stay ford), radiator was just redone, and has a new in cab tank. The Tank is getting out of the cab ASAP, and the only thing I have ordered so far is the intellitronic gauges for the stock dash - I can't drive without oil pressure, tach, water temp, accurate speedometer, trip meter and I have a brand new cowl mount Autometer fuel pressure gauge for carbed - if I switch will just get the proper gouge for FI as this one only goes to 15psi. Anyway, hello and I'll stop for now

Was my first post above - Hoping the pic works.

This portion was from November 24th:

Well, had some time so got to work, first I'll put my findings in here on what I have:

Rear is WDM-C 9", 3.70 gears open 28 spline - will be measuring to see if I have Big ends as I have a Torino style Big end Cobra brake setup I can use, I believe it will be big end but not Torino style, will have wheels off soon and measure.

Can't get engine block info yet, will remove starter or intake manifold and verify it, but did get the heads info - and doesn't make me feel good about this being a roller block D80E heads.

One positive is I do have a Timing pointer above my crank, I was not able to see it till yesterday.

Now, I have all the bolts off the bed, and will be taking it off today, reason is I did the flip kit in the rear and only have around 1-2 inches before i bang frame. Front I cut 1, then 2, then 3 coils off as I wanted it to set around the height I expected with the CV front so when I set my Pinion angle it was done - now I don't have to think about it I have taken the exhaust off and fabbed an X-pipe out of the part that went over the axle, and willl be throwing it back together temporarily with these tiny pipes - hoping it last for a while at least and will be turned out just in front of the rear tires. I started installing my Intellitronics cluster as well, and pulled out the older carbs to I can build my 650 mech secondary. Will be doing advancing the timing etc soon just to tweak, and will probably do the 70 mustang tank, holley blue pump I have, and FPR all next month sometime.

I will edit in pics momentarily, and garage is dirty as I’m making some shelving so dumped everything in the other side of it. Will be presentable soon, bed will be off so need room to rest it for a few days.









Why not reuse, ran out of gas mid way through so welds are not the best.



Is under the drivers side cab, support beam on both sides and very little at the front of the bed. Also considering selling this hitch and rear bumper, undecided at this point but it could speed up the build. Want a roll pan eventually and probably no hitch at all. Decision will be made when I remove the rear crossbar to prep for rear tank, I am not sure the hitch will work once I do that.








That gets everything in One place.

From here on is New - well - updates to catch us up since I made post about it in Late November.

The good news is I have parts - I'm going to post this then reread it all and go from there - no need to repeat information that I already put out.

Adding in current pic as of 19 Sept 2023:

 

Now - I have gotten quite alot done since I updated and wanted to start tracking it better but expect this to always come in waves, I work in the Nuclear Power world and we have "outages/refuels" in the Spring and Fall, the rest of the time feels like prep for those two times of year. That is also the time my wife loves to travel the most and why we moved to the state line between Tennessee and Georgia, so Late March through May don't expect much (other than this year), and mid September - Early December don't expect much movement. I will say late November is when I will Start my larger projects on the truck.

So will add in pictures in a bit but things that have happened since I did the above post:

Items on Hand to be installed as of March 22nd 2021:

• Got some worked 74 351W heads that have valve job (told Chevy 1.90 and 1.60 valves) which isn't hard to believe as they are stock 1.84/1.54 if i'm remembering correctly it's been a few months since i researched them to see if they were worth the coin I gave for them. They have proper unleaded fuel valve seats and Comp Beehive springs, I will clean up and be installing them in the next few weeks.
• 2 Holley 650's both Mech secondary - lots of parts for them but not in a hurry will rebuild the 4160 600cfm that is on there for initial put back on road as only has a slight stumble off idle and easy fix.
• 31 spline rear limited slip or locker - have to look up part number on it to be certain was part of my Head purchase when I picked them up while down in Florida.
• 31 spline 5x4.5 rear axles (to match Crown Vic front and fit my existing Mustang Wheels and tires) - need to order bearing kit - plan is to stick with the stock 3.70's for now - These are from early 80's F150 but in perfect shape except for the bearings.
• Torino style "big end" bolt on Strange rear Caliper mounts - may be selling these as they were from my last Stang and I never did the 8.8 conversion to Big ends for C-clip elimination, I have to look and measure as I have Big end Non Torino so I doubt I will be able to just bolt up calipers.
• Intellitronics guages to go under the factory guage location
• All new Hard brake lines (Niccop) - new rear distro block with Stainless flex line to build out the rear lines
• Strange Master Cylinder
• Willwood Proportioning valve with brake light sensor to trigger brake lights
• Front suspension Swap brackets and boxes ( don't recall name but great thick metal)
• ARP Head bolts
• Speedmaster/PCE
  Windsor Head Bolt Bushing Kits 1/2 O.D. x 7/16 I.D
  Windsor Head Bolt Bushing Kits 1/2 O.D. x 7/16 I.D
  to properly snug up the Heads
• All new door locks and tumbler - One key fit original holes
• Fel-Pro Full gasket kit - Was cheaper than buying them one or two at a time.
• Long Tube Headers
• 3" mandrel bent Stainless Exhaust with polished Tips (actually a 3" tailpipe kit from my last Mustang)
• 3" Stainless X-pipe
• 6x 3" V-bands
• Cowl mount fuel pressure guage
• Cut50 Plasma/Tig/Stick inverter setup - Got for Christmas but haven't set it up yet - first attempts will be of course the front end soon for Plasma - Tig will be for all my v-bands - but I have a great Mig and am way better with it so will see how I do.
• Other things I can't remember but will add in later
• Went ahead and ordered Lunati Cam and Lifters 10350101LK Barebones Hydraulic Flat tappet - Lift .472/.496 - 280/290 LSA 112 - the block is .060 so I have a 310 not a 302. Cam is probably the most it will get - boost dreams will wait for now...

Items you Don't see:

• Roller Rockers - has been a long battle for me on this but am holding off, I think at most I will do a more aggressive Roller rocker in the future to help the stock cam out - this is a Non-HO motor and the heads will raise the compression significantly, between the Heads, Cam, and Longtubes as well as some mild port work on my Edelbrock Performer 289 I expect to see 75+HP at the wheels.
• Fuel tank and fuel line's - waiting on tank until I have money to go ahead and get a sumped tank, but did all the prep to move the tank to the rear, as I'm planning on handling I am considering doing the tank in Between the axles, so may end up mounting it in the bed of the truck, which would simplify alot and give me more room for the rear when I decided what rear axle setup I'm going with. I'm leaning towards S550 IRS but that's a ways down the road still.

Currently the rear flip kit and c notch are done, welded in, frame boxed and sealed then bed was put back on. The rear crossmember and rear tow hitch were removed - modified and will go back on in the next few weeks as I will not do the gas tank yet.
The front is on jack-stands, the front clip is Loose except for one bolt - it will be coming off, and I pick up my Crown Vic front setup the first week of April. Once it is in hand I will remove the front clip - finish making my Gantry Crane - and remove the front clip move to the side carefully - and pull the engine and trans, I will probably leave them connected to the crane - roll it over and do a good clean and degrease on it etc, will be changing the heads when the front clip is off and the engine and trans is still sitting in the bay without the fenders etc.

I have work to do here at the office, but will have time shortly to edit in some photo's from the last few months. I will be flying solo from April 4th - 14th and I honestly plan on getting the following done during that time:

CV front installed
Hard Brake lines installed Front to rear and front to each side.
Master cylinder and Proportioning valve install.
Heads, carb rebuild, Fuel pressure guage, Intellitronic guage cluster
Rear 31 spline setup - have to disassemble and measure etc

I believe i will be able to get the above done, and have it on all 4 and close to driving. One variable here is the C4 has dried gaskets - I may just deal with a leaking trans for a bit....

 

Your posts are not long or wordy enough. Let’s work on that . . .

 

Yeah, don't worry, that was catchup only - From here forward will be what we like to call Army Proof = Lots of pictures far less words

 

Track day testing - may add embarrassing slips in, just baselines. 11.xx 1/8th mike at 54 iirc was the best, dog slow!







Cluster, didn’t pay this much though

Cleanuo and pressure washing to seal and paint


Damn storm:/


Random pics throughout the past few months.

 

Truck looks solid until you get to the rust underneath. Not to bad by NE standards but should be addressed. All in all looks like a nice project but way to low compared to the way I like my trucks. Oh, what happened to the garage? Looks like a tornado went through there.

 

The rear is temporary - I autocross, road race and drag race, this will 99% end up with a S550 IRS in the rear, it is too low currently but the wheels and tires will raise it up a bit and should change the attitude of the truck overall. The only thing in the rear now is the tiny tires - tire diameter is around 24.5" so it sets lower than final will be: 305/40R18 tires have a diameter of 27.6" that alone will make the rear look higher, front tires I have are 275/45/18 so should rake out a bit after the Crown Vic swap. This truck is a project, and a fun toy - I have a 21 Duramax that I use as a Truck, I would be surprised if I ever even put the garbage can from the end of the driveway up to the house in the back of this one. I just have the wheels and tires, so will put them on and see if they will fit without too much modifying.

I do agree, it is currently too low, the rust underneath is nothing, I have a plasma, welding skills, and seam sealer, the only rust is the back of hte cab and that crossover, total to fix is under 300 with reproduced parts, I already have sealant, and sound deadener but won't be hitting the rust until I get to the cab removal, which probably won't be till next fall/winter.

 

Good looking truck....haven't been to Ringgold in ages, didn't even know it was still down there..

 

Nice work. Subscribed.

 

Just noticed your question about the garage - that's what happens when your unpacking from a recent move then the wife pulls an audible and you start renovating the basement - everything goes to the garage, that wasn't' so bad but then I got my Tractor stuck and blew out the front portals - so after unstuck I pulled it in during the rain and all the mud came off everywhere, and had to make room to repair the portals. It looks alot better now, made some more shelves and got some stuff up, in the process of making it better and gave up on parking my 2500HD in there as I don't want to have to close the mirrors everytime I pull in and out. That has allowed me to make some other storage tables and will be building a welding table soon

I will admit it kept me out of the garage sometimes due to going to cleaning and organizing when I first went out - at least now I can work in there without getting frustrated - at this point on these pics I would get frustrated when I went out there

 

Before the heartbreak

After clip removed

Still dirty but did clean it up a lot then had to move stuff and it’s horrible again - garage

Gantry crane materials were bought but did it this way for progress - transmission jack and my pull-up bar and new straps

Safe, until tomorrow then more cleaning and gantry crane build and relocating everything more organized

Before purple power

After purple power - no pressure or scrubbing yet

Ordered a milder cam than originally planning - due to the next picture….

At first was excited to see flycut pistons - then saw the heartbreak -.060 - changed the initial build plans so not going extreme, mild lunati cam, the heads I have, exhaust and carb. Shift kit and seals/gaskets for the c4 and throw it back in.

 

Well, we did some camping this last week and put some thought into it, this ole Girl will be known as Maude(Mod).

Had to take a trip to Nashville yesterday, but on Monday I got my Gantry crane built and in the garage, also got an engine stand. Have to re-enforce the Gantry on the top portion but needed another 4x4 piece of lumber, have that now but at work in the office today (need two more bolts to go through the assembly, and more screws). I may finish up the Gantry tonight, clean the garage some more and pull the engine. For sure will drain the oil and transmission fluid and finish removing the last of the engine mounts - I'm leaving the mounts attatched to the engine but removing the pieces from the actual lower crossmember (4 bolts on each one, one under the steering box) to help with measuring out my new mounts that I will fab for the CV front.

Hoping to sneak away from work early today, hit gym up and then go get the dirty crap done under the truck. Would Really love to get the engine and trans out and split, trans will just be getting gaskets, transgo shift kit, possibly servo, band adjustment and put back in. With the cam and heads I don't believe a stall converter will be necessary, and if i decide it needs one it's not too hard to pull, and I really would love to do a T5 swap now as I know this engine will not exceed the power level they are safe at now.

Stood up - still loose - have to add support between the two upper 2x8's. Will complete tonight and it's 8ft at the lowest point went 9 1/2 foot wide, on 3" castors with 2 free and 2 lockable. Around 200 total into this including the chain hoist. It's enough to pull the engine and trans, roll around, pull cab, and I will make getting the front clip back on solo alot more managable.

The bottom config

 

Got slowed down by a surgery, but made some progress: Engine is on stand, tranny is on a furniture dolly and will be getting cleaned and gone through, engine will be getting cleaned and cam, heads, headers thrown on. Still waiting on my damn CV front but guy discounted it a bit, I will be able to get my steering shaft all setup for the cost I was going to pay now due to the discount he gave me.
He also has a few LSD CV rear's I will be looking at - but really just need to get a axle kit with bearings to be good in the rear, not sure about the disk conversion though ,will be cheaper to go 8.8..


Converter was full…


The gantry worked great!

How it sits till I’m cleared to use plasma and welder, had eye surgery so have to wait a month.

 

Dude, seriously, Yer killing me with that garage. Go rent a dumpster, park it in front of the garage, and fill it up. You will be so much happier and more productive working in a clean garage where you can find your tools, no trip and fall hazard, room to put the things you take off the truck... End of rant. About the garage. The truck bed will stand on the closed end with a couple 2x4's underneath it. Very stable and takes up minimal floor space, plus you can get to the bottom and clean and paint. The front clip is easily handled by two guys, maybe three to install it without scratching the paint. OK, look, you are supposed to unbolt the torque converter from the flexplate BEFORE unbolting the bell. There is probably a drainplug on the TQ also to, you know, keep the oil off the ground in your clean shop.

Now that I have all that off my chest, I really like what you are doing with the truck and your plans moving forward. It's a great looking truck and will afford you a great many smiles driving it. As long as you don't trip and fall and break your neck in the garage.

 

Yeah I got out and cleaned the garage a bit, but still have a long way to go - I'll let you know my reluctance, I want to finish the walls, and put a ceiling on it, so I don't want to make all sorts of shelves until I have the funds to sheetrock it, mud, and then paint it all. For the amount it cost for materials currently I could practically get a Coyote for the same money as finishing out my garage.

I am making a few long - 12" wide shelves to place chemicals on, moving my lawn equipment to another location, and the pullup bar and workout equipment will be getting relocated within the garage but not right in the middle of where everything happens. When the time comes i'll probably just pull the shelves down and then go a different route when I can afford to finish it. I have to finish my wife's garage which is in our basement first, have to put her Jeep Hardtop storage in place as well. She let me know how she wants it finally, so will get started on it soon. Then I have to finish off the remainder of the basement, stairs, walls, ceiling, etc. During all of this I'm also clearing and leveling around an acre in the back of the property to build a 40'x40' which will be 20'x40' for our 5th Wheel storage, and 2 lean-to's. Hence low on time to clean the garage, it's the only area that is trashed since we moved and mainly due to me being so wiped out after working then coming home and trying to do all the other crap.

Truck progress is slow, don't want to put the lifters and cam in until i know i will be able to start it (don't want them to leak down), so waiting on the front CV setup from this seller that keeps dragging his feet, he is local and the whole front is perfect with only 47k miles so I'm waiting. So only thing i can do until this is clean up and organize the garage, but I leave to head to Browns Ferry Nuclear over in Alabama Sunday for a week or so. Should be good on the eye's to plasma and weld and can start that after i get back as well!