I'll try not to repeat too much from my "new member intro" post.

I recently bought a 66 F100 352 Custom Cab, Wimbeldon White over Holly Green. I've got more confidence than skill when it comes to restoration and automotive work in general...I guess I don't see why I can't do it all myself. That's probably not the smartest approach, but it's working for now.

When I bought her, she had only been parked a couple of years. The previous owner had commuted 20 or so highway miles to work and back daily for quite a few years, then bought a Honda when he got tired of paying for the gas. He kept the truck to go hunting and camping in. It had a radiator leak that he temporarily sort of fixed using JB Weld, but it didn't hold so he parked it. His kids moved away so he didn't go hunting or camping, so it just sat in the driveway for a couple of years.

We got it running just enough to get it to my house. Between the cooling system, dry rot tires, and an obviously gunky fuel system, I was hesitant to do any driving.

So... here's what I've done so far. Fuel system refresh: new tank, fuel filler, gas cap, new sending unit, replaced rubber fuel lines, fuel pump, fuel filter, carb rebuild (my first one ever). That got it running reliably. Onto cooling... new radiator, new hoses, new thermostat, new water pump. New leaks, too, but I got those fixed. While working on the cooling system I decided to start painting parts blue before putting them in. Once cooling was good, I guess I started having more fun with it... I aligned the shift linkage, put in an "ooga" horn (this was a request from my 82 year old father in law...the original horn is still in place and I can rehook it easily). New spark plugs, wires, ignition coil, solenoid, and an upgraded alternator (the battery and truck died when I was driving home at night with my wipers on, so we suspected the alternator was pretty tired). Oh, and I changed the oil and oil filter pretty early on as well. The oil smelled like gas, but my theory was that was because we dumped soooooo much gas into the carb trying to get her running and keep her running to get her to my house. Since I've changed the oil I've checked it periodically and that smell hasn't returned. Oh, and I got new tires put on it.

Next up I have 1,000 more things. I'd like to get an FM radio put in it...a drive-in movie theater near us on Route 66 is having a special showing of "Grease" where some of the original cast will be attending. I thought it sounded fun to take the truck to that, but they broadcast the audio on an FM station. I'm not quite ready for a $350+ radio from Retro Manufacturing, but also don't want to cut the dash for a single DIN radio. I've got a voltmeter that I want to install, and I'd love to get a tach as well. Occasionally there's a small puddle of oil under the transmission that I'd like to get figured out, but haven't found helpful advice on that yet (so far I've been googling, using AI, and watching YouTube videos). I suspect there are slow oil leaks from the valve covers, so I'd like to take them off soon and get the gaskets replaced (and paint the covers blue again).

There's some pretty significant rust in a few places... the driver's side floor pan is well ventilated. It had a spray-in bedliner that leaked on the passenger side near the front, so every time it rains water gets under there and eats it up. Lots of ventilation right there, too. There's also a brace under the cab that is completely rotted on the driver side and pretty rusty on the passenger side. I think for all three spots I'm going to have to learn to weld before I can fix them up. Under the hood, I figure the distributor probably needs a little love. I should try and figure out the whole vacuum system thing, too. I'd like new headlights at some point as well. The list is long and I'm just making things up as I go.

I guess my philosophy is to keep it original-ish while making it safer and reliable. And I'm trying to make that 15 year old kid inside me come to life again. And that kid gets a kick out of ooga horns and blue engine parts.

Thanks for having me here, and I'm looking forward to this journey!

Lots of pictures in an album in my profile. I've put a few videos on YouTube as well, if anyone wants to take a look. (https://www.youtube.com/@RosebudGrace). I originally named the truck Rosebud...it's a nod to Citizen Kane and that this truck is helping me rediscover a long lost piece of myself.

 

Welcome aboard, nice truck and sounds like you’re making good progress. I’d go over the brakes next if you haven’t already. To go to the drive just take along a portable radio.

 

Or there is mounting a stereo, antenna and speakers in a tool box. Add a cigarette lighter plug and cord. Tunes in a box... Take it when you want, otherwise leave it in the garage.

 

Welcome to the journey! Really great project—looking forward to seeing Rosebud come together step by step.
About the headlights, it looks like this model might require a full housing swap rather than just bulb replacement (I don't think it’s a simple bulb setup). Just something to keep in mind when you get to that stage.

 

Focus on the mechanicals. Many projects stall because owners run out of time, money and motivation. Make it a safe driver before you get into any thoughts of a major restoration. Easier to sell a driver, if you want to move on. Welcome to FTE.

 

You're 100% correct! I forgot to mention that. I really, really need to take a look at the brakes. Ultimately I'd like to move to the dual master cylinder and power assist, but right now that's a bit intimidating. But I also need to check the drums and do the maintenance. That's not something I've done before, but I guess I'll get it figured out!

Thanks!
David

 

Yes, you really really need to look at those brakes...

I thought I was done prepping my long slumbering '66 F250 for the road when an inner voice suggested I have a look at my drums. I was floored when I saw the two giant grooves on the drums that corresponded with the rivets on the brake shoes.

 

Welcome to the group, and thanks for sharing part of your journey with us. That is a nice looking truck and great color combination. Already some sound advice from others, only thing I can add would be to take your time and enjoy. Take lots of photos, post lots of photos and continue to share what you're doing and want to do. You will also find some very talented and knowledgeable folks who will do their best to help and encourage you along your journey.

Also, congratulations, I for one find FTE therapeutic and enjoy reading old and new posts and threads to calm my muddled and befuddled mind, so keep the great write up coming. I for one accidentally got into "slicks" but it has been good, and I have met here on FTE some fine folks here that I would gladly break bread with, and be honoured to consider friends, I hope you will join us.

 

Boosh,
Awesome write up on your truck. I am new to these also and have gotten into some projects already. Going to be a good truck for you. Lots of moves that you have already made to make it more reliable too. All these repairs take time and money . Balance all that with having fun with your truck! I think you came to the right place. Folks have helped me a lot already. You have a great start. Body work and or drive train projects can be overwhelming. Get a friend or helper to help along the way. It has helped me learn about the 66 F100 features. More pictures are always good too! Yea brakes next!

 

A simple Midland booster in-line would do wonders for your drum brakes.
I enjoyed a '71 Winnebago motorhome for 30-some years and it had two midlands.
One Midland would bring a smile to your face if running a single master set-up.
The Midlands mount under the bed, and best to mount to the frame rail with a bracket. I'm sold.
Supposedly Midland boosters got sold off to Setco Engineering. Anyways Setco made me two rebuild kits, and they worked wonders.

Standard brakes work well only if you don't compromise on many points of concern to be thoroughly addressed.

You and your company's lives depend on the ability to Stop when needed.

I was driving along in my '57 Chevy short step pickup and the light turned red.
I pushed the brake pedal to get ready, and it went to the floor.
Fortunately, i had allowed enough room ahead of me, I was able to make a quick turn right into a MeDonald's parking lot. _ _ whew
a front flex-hose had failed. Hmm. got lucky on that occasion.
I built-up a 3-speed OD for that /57 (column shift), and gained 2-mpg on the interstate.

 

I would sooner go backwards to a flathead motor, as install a frame- mount booster. Never heard of anyone doing this, ever. Especially when making incremental improvements as you drive your truck. Next, you’ll advise him to go with a magneto ignition?

There’s an easier, more cost-effective, proven alternative, and the prevailing wisdom is do it. Firewall-mounted booster and dual master cylinder is the only way to move forward.

2 cents. Worth nothing now, if it ever was.

 

You have to be careful saying never, ever. The original owner of my 63 F-100 installed a Midland booster in line with the single pot master cylinder. I replaced all the shoes, hoses, and cylinders in the system plus rebuilt the booster. This definitely is not the path for most truck owners, but it works for me.

 

I was wondering what that was...care to elaborate?

 

Yes, true. If there’s one thing you learn being married 43 years, that piece of wisdom is it. That, and that Humble Pie really isn’t too bad, once you’ve eaten it a time or two. Or maybe a thousand. Same with eating crow.

Still, that was done probably in the 60’s, likely. That’s all he had available then, and no doubt the original owner would choose a different option today.

You can’t even find many people that know what they are, let alone have the ability to look up a rebuild-kit they could sell you.

 

If you don't have a lot of mechanical experience, first thing you need is buy is a shop manual they are available on e-bay or Amazon as reprints, CD's or thumb drives. These books will solve a lot of mysteries for you. If a dual master/booster is in your future plans just get a chassis manual like this, they are inexpensive and will give you all the information you need to convert or even work on the brakes you have now. 1976 Ford Truck Shop Manual Vol 1 Chassis | eBay
Just get it running and driving then fix the other stuff.