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Hello all, I'm trying to buy an older truck with a good engine that I can fix up while still using it as a daily driver. I've always done all of my own repairs, anything cosmetic or structural I can take care of. I've never messed with engines. I'm going to look at this 64 F100 in a few days. Its supposedly only got 74,000 original miles and was hauled out of a barn. Guy says it runs and it has a nice Inline 6, 223. I haven't seen it in person so I can't tell you anything more than what we see. I know where to check for rust normally on these old ones and of course electrical is pretty important. What are some things I should look for on the 64' before I buy and what kind of problems might I run into if I do end up getting it? Any advice is welcome!
The 223 I6 are hard to find parts for. I have been rebuilding mine for a few months now and some critical items (if need to be replaced) are obsolete and hard to find. Just keep that in mind.
Looks to be a solid, original, complete truck by the pictures. All good things.
The odometer looks like the first digit it a 4, doesn't match up to 74K miles?
I know nothing about the 223 or the trans in these trucks so can't offer advice on that, however if you don't care about keeping it original you can easily swap in a 302 with either a manual trans or automatic.
Besides the rust issues ( cab floor and supports, rain gutter, front edge of hood, front floor of bed bottom of tailgate ) which should always be investigated regardless of year,, buying a '64 is like buying a truck from the mid 50's, most of the truck is carryover simple engineering from the 50's, not the same componets and engineering from the mid to late 60's. What are your plans? Restore? Preserve? Modify? Ease of finding parts depends on your build direction. The rare paint color and interior upholstry looks interesting to me, maybe a late in the year build? A clear shot of the warranty tag would be nice.
The rare paint color and interior upholstry looks interesting to me, maybe a late in the year build? A clear shot of the warranty tag would be nice.
Rare colour appears to be the regular tropical turquiose a standard option in 1964. It is a more blue than the caribean turquiose. A friend of mine in the mid 90's was driving the Mercury version of this truck.
*'Barn Finds' suggest check to make sure title/vehicle registration is clear, locating previous owner's may be difficult?
*Should be able to determine the amount of time, labor, and $ will be required to ensure truck is mechanically sound?
*Seem to recall 223 engine owners asking for assistance in locating engine parts. Other than inquiring in the 61-66 forum suggest post question in the appropriate engine forum as to how difficult are 223 engine parts to come by.
Posting link by member on 223 DIY engine repair. The tread is fairly recent and don't believe author would mind if decide to inquire on his experience locating engine parts??
Seem to recall 223 engine owners asking for assistance in locating engine parts. Other than inquiring in the 61-66 forum suggest post question in the appropriate engine forum as to how difficult are 223 engine parts to come by.
For that matter, you might ask in the 48 to 56 forum. The 223 was introduced in the 1953 F100. I don't know if it changed much into the 60's, but the guys in that forum are really smart and very helpful. Just a thought...
Suggest inspect and take inventory on the time, effort, and cost in reconditioning the truck. After taking a couple 65's, destine for the boneyard, and reconditioning them over the many years I now find these ole bones take a bit longer to recovering from the heavy lifting so if decide to purchase a replacement the seller will have put the time, labor and $, into reconditioning/restoring.
FTE member stopped-by recently to show off his 2nd 66 Ford truck purchased at local auto swap meet. Long story short, Senior truck owner, who have babied and kept his 66 in pristine condition since ownership found separation less difficult when he saw how well the FTE member's maintained his 66. Found myself envious!
For that matter, you might ask in the 48 to 56 forum.
The 223 was introduced in the 1953 F100. I don't know if it changed much into the 60's, but the guys in that forum are really smart and very helpful. Just a thought...
1952 F1/F6 & 1953 F100/600 have the 215 I-6. 223 I-6 introduced in 1954 F100/600, used thru 1964.
Ford full sized Passenger Cars also used these two I-6's.
Looks to be a solid, original, complete truck by the pictures. All good things.
The odometer looks like the first digit it a 4, doesn't match up to 74K miles?
I know nothing about the 223 or the trans in these trucks so can't offer advice on that, however if you don't care about keeping it original you can easily swap in a 302 with either a manual trans or automatic.
My bad on the odometer. The listing says 45,000 miles. Since it only goes up to 99,000 would it be safe to say that it has probably rolled over once?
[QUOTE=tripleframe;17805160]Besides the rust issues ( cab floor and supports, rain gutter, front edge of hood, front floor of bed bottom of tailgate ) which should always be investigated regardless of year,, buying a '64 is like buying a truck from the mid 50's, most of the truck is carryover simple engineering from the 50's, not the same componets and engineering from the mid to late 60's. What are your plans? Restore? Preserve? Modify? Ease of finding parts depends on your build direction. The rare paint color and interior upholstry looks interesting to me, maybe a late in the year build? A clear shot of the warranty tag would be nice.[/Q
I guess my intention would be a partial restore. Replace what needs to be replaced, redo the interior and keep the engine running. Maybe do a rebuild if I need to. The kicker is that while doing this I will always be using it as my primary transportation too. That's why I'm hoping this one is in running condition.
My only advice would be to NOT buy one of these old trucks and try to use it for a dependable daily driver before you've taken the time to thoroughly check it over and test it for day to day reliability.
Since this rig's now 54 years old it's a cinch that it likely needs EVERYTHING.
I believe you should get yourself a cheap reliable take ya/bring ya/ parts runner vehicle and leave the '64 parked while you at least do some rudimentary refurbishment.
That said, I'd sure be checkin' the metal of the bed floor- that rust looks plenty bad.
rx
Like I said before the 223 I6 is a good motor when set-up properly and properly maintained. It will be hard to find parts for but you can find them.
Robbie - keep this in mind ... this truck is not your modern jump in and turn the key type of vehicle. It can be to an extent, but it'll take a lot of attention on your part.
This thing comes from an era where full service gas stations where the norm. An attendant popped the hood and check the fluids and belts, checked the tire pressures and wiper blades ... and let's not forget cleaned the bugs off your windshield.
The machining on the blocks, heads, manifolds and drive train components was no where near the level of accuracy of today's modern methods and tooling. Wear and tear on rotating assemblies took a greater toll. Inconsistencies in tolerances cause parts to fail much more often or sooner than today's higher quality parts.
The technology used in the engine design then is sub standard and much more problematic than those used today. Those old motors are not the 100,000 miles between oil change beasts we have today.
The suspensions were designed for a time when the maximum speed limit on the highway was 55 mph.
Basically this is not a modern vehicle and the expectation of it being so is unrealistic. Not without dumping a ton of money into a restomod to basically have a modern truck wrapped in an old body.
All that being said ... few things bring me as much pleasure as jumping in my Ol' 62 and run around town or take a cruise down a country road or turning heads in a parking lot. Driving my old truck takes skill. I have to pay attention to every sound, every twist or bump of the steering, every stop and take off. I have to check my oil every time I stop for gas. Pop the hood and listen to the idle as it warms up in the driveway. I actually have to give my truck attention to keep it on the road and dependable. For me, it's the way I was raised. It was the way I was taught responsibility and independence. My dad had me out in the driveway every weekend helping him keep our vehicles in shape. I guess in a way this Ol Truck keeps me young at heart and mind as I recall the lessons my Dad taught me.
If you are willing to put in the effort, time and more often than not ... Money ... by all means buy the truck. And DO NOT let the lack of skill sway you from the purchase. These vehicles require attention BUT they are easy to learn and you have a huge resource here to help you out.
02-16-2018, 09:53 PM
F100. I don't know if it changed much into the 60's, but the guys in that forum are really smart and very helpful. Just a thought...
