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1978 Ford F250 Custom camper special with tag on valve cover that says 351M. Ended up doing a VIN and door sticker check with AI. What we came up with is the truck even though it's Reg'd as a 1977 it's actually officially a 78. the last year of the Camper special! It also said it was an Automatic. However, someone put a stick deal in this truck!
The current carb.....not sure if it was changed due to the Tranny change???? it LEAKS...truck actually runs good but leaks in the front by the Throttle arm area near the fuel filter going into the carb.
I tried to do some homework...It looks like the 2150 is the ideal carb? but does the Tranny swap make that not true? I always thought the difference between the 2100 and 2150 was just the choke deal...?? where am I wrong? or what is the right knowledge?
It's likely your door was changed, happens all the time and then everything looks wrong. or maybe it's right and everything else has been changed. it doesn't really matter if you have a good title but you can verify it by frame stamps if it matters to you.
Whatever carb it is it sounds like at the least it needs a rebuild. there should be a list number stamped on it or a tag to identify what it is.
44O....smart man ya are! Actually that's how AI and I figured it all out... First we started with the VIN on the Reg...it is the correct VIN for the truck(frame)...and AI came up with all the rest being correct...but the year was 78 because it was sold in late 77 in NJ..(back then DMV and actual year was not as important...DMV made it a 1977 cuz that was when the paper work was done)....everything matched...color, engine the other sticker on door FRAME- showing it a camper special...F250Custom! What was "off" was the tranny...but it can be seen someone threw the stick in...also yes the door is off a 76 green truck.(painted cream) not worried about the title.... it's good...was just giving some history of the truck.
The question was more on carb. and the more I investigate the net...the more it says the 2150 carb will work...Yes I could rebuild the old carb for more money for that kit...than to just get the whole carb for cheaper! the confusion was that most will list the 351W and 351C...but will not mention the 351M....if it's not Modified......it's still a 351 with 351 parts is best I've seen in most reads on the net... I guess that the extra linkage on the carb below the throttle hook up is for a auto tran cable...but with the stick thrown in...nothing goes there.
Let me be clear.....AI and I are far from being pals...but it does help with the leg work in research...if you saw our Convo...I've corrected AI many times, specially in the deep research of Mods and Pricing...it tends to stop at certain sites online...so it's good to do your own research before and after AI...but AI has been a great "assist"... that's why I laugh and tell people...it's "Artificial" Intel...cuz it's not always right...It should be called Assist Intel instead! LOL
but....what I like even more.....is these forums! why? AI does not have HANDS ON.... WE DO... and we can see things...we can make custom tools to help each other or such...we can come up with "Tricks" to fix....and more! thanks all...that's my two cents... wait sorry that's my two 20's...cuz the world has gone expensive!
if you're talking about the new Chinese carbs I'd stay away. I'd rather have a rebuilt original. the best option is a new Holley replacement but they're not cheap.
Your VIN will denote the model year, your DMV should go off that not the date of manufacture. there are quite a few changes between 77 and 78 , but if it works it's not a big deal. A Marti report will tell you everything there is to know about your pickup off the VIN if you want to know for sure.
My '79 is a Camper Special as well.
I don't think a 2100 would ever have been on a truck of your vintage. No matter what trans it had.
By '77 I'm pretty sure (but not knowing for certain) that all the carbs were a variation of the 2150. I think that was happening by '73 or so?
The biggest difference I could think of off-hand would be the throttle linkage. An auto would have the kickdown lever and a manual carb linkage would not.
Also depends on where your truck was originally sold. A CA truck would likely have had a bowl-vent connected to the charcoal canister. While some trucks all the way up to '78 didn't even have a charcoal canister!
AI makes mistakes, as does the DMV. As said, it doesn't matter when it was built. Just what Ford intended it to be.
Some vehicles, notably '73 and '76 Broncos, were registered as the model year, even when built right up to November of that year. Where most typically start getting the new features and register as the next model year vehicle starting sometime in August.
It's a thing, but it's not a legal requirement that even a late-build vehicle be registered as the next model year.
What month was yours built in? Does it have a '77 grille, or a '78? Is it 4wd, or 2? If a four-wheel truck, there was the old "77 1/2" moniker where the 250's stopped being "Highboys" with a 360 engine, and started being "Lowboys" with the 351M.
Just curious.
sorry but no....according to the intense investigation...1978 was the last year of the TRUE camper specials...That truck you have pictured = the truck bed does not have the toolbox on the bottom behind the pass side of the vehicle? And you do not have the weight class sticker on door frame showing the different class weight...Also, you do not have the upgrade in the radiator or alternator!?? Plus, a few other things that would make it a TRUE camper special! Only thing.,.perhaps yours was built in 1978 and was sold as a 1979...but from the pic...I'm not seeing any of the "give away" tell tales that it's a camper special. But no matter.....the truck looks to be in very good shape, and no matter is and should be a KEEPER!
Last edited by dougrock; May 26, 2026 at 06:05 AM.
Reason: spell
My '79 is a Camper Special as well.
I don't think a 2100 would ever have been on a truck of your vintage. No matter what trans it had.
By '77 I'm pretty sure (but not knowing for certain) that all the carbs were a variation of the 2150. I think that was happening by '73 or so?
The biggest difference I could think of off-hand would be the throttle linkage. An auto would have the kickdown lever and a manual carb linkage would not.
Also depends on where your truck was originally sold. A CA truck would likely have had a bowl-vent connected to the charcoal canister. While some trucks all the way up to '78 didn't even have a charcoal canister!
AI makes mistakes, as does the DMV. As said, it doesn't matter when it was built. Just what Ford intended it to be.
Some vehicles, notably '73 and '76 Broncos, were registered as the model year, even when built right up to November of that year. Where most typically start getting the new features and register as the next model year vehicle starting sometime in August.
It's a thing, but it's not a legal requirement that even a late-build vehicle be registered as the next model year.
What month was yours built in? Does it have a '77 grille, or a '78? Is it 4wd, or 2? If a four-wheel truck, there was the old "77 1/2" moniker where the 250's stopped being "Highboys" with a 360 engine, and started being "Lowboys" with the 351M.
Just curious.
Thanks
Paul
Ford did do some funny things....and perhaps they had so much left over by 1978 they used some of those parts to make 1979 the last year for the camper special? But, my investigation said I was wrong because it would not have been a TRUE Camper special...There are like 7 things that make it a TRUE camper special and Ford did NOT do that in 1979.....but......heck and high water.....at least Driver Return on Foot joke of FORD spelled backwards did not apply to these great trucks! LOL
Yes, agree with you on the carb yrs and the 2100 and 2150...Yes, the kick down lever is also correct! on auto vs manual...I did NOT see that fact on the charcoal canister...but I did wonder what that "fat" tube sticking out the carb went to...on the sellers picture it's capped off...I wonder if that was for that?
also what you said about the title...built and so on...funny almost to exactly the way you said it ...was the way AI said it! go figure! but yes...AI is just a good tool...I've as I mentioned actually corrected AI and I give it a B+ for best effort... it would take what I said and dig to find if that too was right and applied!
Paul mine is nothing special...it's a 78(or 77 with DMV's methods) with the 351M with ALL the trimmings of a TRUE Camper special! Wish it was a highboy 4wd but I got it on a trade...so one can not be too picky I guess... I'm not sure I will be keeping it...but it's been a joy learning the little things "in and out" about these cool trucks!
PS...if you can tell me the difference between the 77 and 78 grille...that would be interesting Thanks Doug
if you're talking about the new Chinese carbs I'd stay away. I'd rather have a rebuilt original. the best option is a new Holley replacement but they're not cheap.
Your VIN will denote the model year, your DMV should go off that not the date of manufacture. there are quite a few changes between 77 and 78 , but if it works it's not a big deal. A Marti report will tell you everything there is to know about your pickup off the VIN if you want to know for sure.
LOL...yeah I hear ya on the China Carbs...at least on the small engines I've been very lucky! out of at least 2K installs...only 2 gave me a run for my money. I may have some luck other's don't have? I'm on the fence if I'm keeping this truck... that said...right now the old carb leaks and I do not really want to move it around the yard with that going on. But then maybe during the winter months I'll take the carb off and sit and rebuild...it won't be a first time...that's for sure...many old tractors I've had to do this.....with no kits and with no replacements! Try taking apart something that for 50yrs...that good ole gasket worked...trying to salvage it to make a homemade one if it sticks or rips-- then if or and if it's an odd one....grrrrrrrrr LOL.... One carb gave me the run! It had a brass tube that went from the top to the bottom of the bowl...It was plugged TIGHT! soakin' for weeks and even boiling it did not even loosen the crud...and the tube would NOT come out of how it was pressed in the one side of the carb...tube was about 3 inch's long...I forget the old tractor it was on... but I got that tube clear! The owner said.....never ever did the tractor run so great after all that! Whew...who'd think that carb would take yrs off my life! I picked and picked at that crud with needles and tiny drills only to be twisted with my fingers till they was raw! I think that was when I started to curse carbs LOL "give it to tis guy...he's got the patience of a saint!" LOL...I'm old now...I think I've come down with OCD now LOL!
PS.....ran into a carb yr or so ago.......small engine Kohler if I remember right...23hp?.....anyhoots.....who the heck in Gods gift to the world! would use rubber plug inside a carb to PLUG unwanted factory holes! I ordered a china carb....to my amazement they put a Welch plug and not a rubber plug like in the OEM carb that the ethanol ate! I don't drink......I think I had a few longIslandIcetea's...I can't remember... LOL
Last edited by dougrock; May 26, 2026 at 06:46 AM.
Reason: forgot to mention
Sorry but yes.
You need to step up your intense investigation and find a better source of information, oh wait you did.
If I'm not mistaking that right there is a Camper Special emblem.
The tool box was a separate option, it was not a standard part of the Camper Special Package.
Front and rear sway bars were and so was the wiring harness for a camper and I'd guess the 8400 lb GVW might be a part of the CS package too.
I bought that truck brand new while working at Rick Warner Ford in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Oh look at this, my Marti Report shows that my truck came from the factory equipped with the Camper Special Package.
Now you can update your intense investigation not facts.
Kenny
The VIN is always where you find the model year, nothing else matters. there are almost always model years built in the prior year, it's not uncommon to build a model year into the next year, but they're still what the VIN says they are.
On the camper specials there may be some confusion because there were two versions. the camper special, and the super camper special. the super camper special had the longer wheelbase and the removable side panel. and I believe they were only made in 2wd. I'm not sure what the last year of manufacture was but don't associate rarity with value. they're not very desirable.
The picture of Rubiranch’s truck shows the 78/79 grill.
If yours came like that, it was intended to be a 78.
If yours has the two separate smaller grill inserts (not a great description), then it was intended to be sold as a 77.
Or it was, yet again, just another crossover with mixed parts.
And yes, Ford did some wacky things!
Between 73 and 77 there were several very subtle detail changes in the front grille area of the truck. But between 77 and 78 they made a that one big change.
Easy to tell the difference when they’re side-by-side.
I was also wondering about the difference between a camper special and a super camper special in your descriptions. But it sounds like yours is a four-wheel-drive?
I had never even heard of a super camper special and didn’t know that’s what I was looking at all those years with those long wheelbase 2 Wheel Dr. trucks with the spare tire on the side of the bed. I just thought that’s what I “camper special“ was.
And another oddity, unlike the truck above, mine did not have a camper special badge. I didn’t buy it because it was a camper special, and until recently didn’t even know!
From reading here, I started questioning why mine had the camper wiring harness and front and rear sway bars. I just assumed the sway bars were an option either way.
Wasn’t until I got the Marti report that I saw that it actually said mine was ordered as a camper special.
Literally no other descriptors on the truck.
Maybe that’s what you got when you ordered the 8550GVWR. Or maybe you got the 8550 when you ordered a camper special?
Dunno…
Sorry but yes.
You need to step up your intense investigation and find a better source of information, oh wait you did.
If I'm not mistaking that right there is a Camper Special emblem.
The tool box was a separate option, it was not a standard part of the Camper Special Package.
Front and rear sway bars were and so was the wiring harness for a camper and I'd guess the 8400 lb GVW might be a part of the CS package too.
I bought that truck brand new while working at Rick Warner Ford in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Oh look at this, my Marti Report shows that my truck came from the factory equipped with the Camper Special Package.
Now you can update your intense investigation not facts.
Kenny
FORD was wacky! LOL..... about "Camper Special" those trucks did NOT have emblem ...but they got the special trimmings and stickers and the VIN said it was...Then you have the "super camper special" they would have the emblem. But I thank you for proving me right with your photo's....LAST year that FORD made any kind of Camper special was in 1978!...you just happen to fall in 1979 paper wise...no different than my 1978 falling in paper wise 1977...They sure where not consistent back in those yrs! ...U may want to hang on to that truck= value wise? It is said that some collectors like and want the vehicles of the last year of it's "specialty" ... In the collector's sites...they said that if my truck was a 1977 VIN wise a collector would only might pay 6K for a running used truck needing restoration...but cuz it's the last yr of the camper special being made it might fetch 8K for a running used but needs restoration...I just find Ford very amusing... As you know already my VIN calls my truck a Camper Special...and I got the fat rad, HO Alt, extra wires, the bigger drums and rotors, the tool box side of box, HD rearend, weight sticker and I'm sure I might be forgetting some other tell tales...but what I have that is said to be "rare" is not many got the FACTORY roof lights! Again...one thing we can't argue is FORD was not very consistent in what would be exactly in the package. This also has me wondering.....it looks like in all the pic's I saw from early 70's to 78(79 to count yours) that 4x4 seemed to have SUPER camper special written on them...but the 2wd's did not? Now this also is more confusing as the Package goes...what was the "model" name...mine was the 250Custom on the cab front ear drop..and it has Custom on the glove box...it's said that was on 77's but the VIN for mine is 78...then someone bought up the front grill? I still have no idea on that subject! I just find all this Fun and Amusing!
Ohh my! thank you for proving me right! on the facts I found! LOOK L@@K at the date above Kevin Marti signature! Like I said...the info and now fact...All camper specials stopped being made after 1978! really? a child's game of "gotcha"
He said Tommato not Potato...good lord are they not both nightshades? Reminds me of my best truck ever--- 1987 chevy with 4 square headlights.....but when you order parts you MUST say 1986...who cares! I put 400K miles on that thing!
Last edited by dougrock; Yesterday at 05:54 AM.
Reason: forgot the evidence
The picture of Rubiranch’s truck shows the 78/79 grill.
If yours came like that, it was intended to be a 78.
If yours has the two separate smaller grill inserts (not a great description), then it was intended to be sold as a 77.
Or it was, yet again, just another crossover with mixed parts.
And yes, Ford did some wacky things!
Between 73 and 77 there were several very subtle detail changes in the front grille area of the truck. But between 77 and 78 they made a that one big change.
Easy to tell the difference when they’re side-by-side.
I was also wondering about the difference between a camper special and a super camper special in your descriptions. But it sounds like yours is a four-wheel-drive?
I had never even heard of a super camper special and didn’t know that’s what I was looking at all those years with those long wheelbase 2 Wheel Dr. trucks with the spare tire on the side of the bed. I just thought that’s what I “camper special“ was.
And another oddity, unlike the truck above, mine did not have a camper special badge. I didn’t buy it because it was a camper special, and until recently didn’t even know!
From reading here, I started questioning why mine had the camper wiring harness and front and rear sway bars. I just assumed the sway bars were an option either way.
Wasn’t until I got the Marti report that I saw that it actually said mine was ordered as a camper special.
Literally no other descriptors on the truck.
Maybe that’s what you got when you ordered the 8550GVWR. Or maybe you got the 8550 when you ordered a camper special?
Dunno…
Hey buddy! Thanks for the help on the grill! MINE IS THE COMPLETE grill insert! so that makes it a 78!
No mine is a 2wd and it's a "camper special" NOT a "super camper special"...I could be wrong here...but many pic's that showed the "super CS" showed them to be 4x4 and to HAVE an emblem that said "super camper special" but.......watch FORD wacky proof me wrong?
Then the mystery of mine having FACTORY roof lights! Ohh no....did I just start another crazy convo?
The VIN is always where you find the model year, nothing else matters. there are almost always model years built in the prior year, it's not uncommon to build a model year into the next year, but they're still what the VIN says they are.
On the camper specials there may be some confusion because there were two versions. the camper special, and the super camper special. the super camper special had the longer wheelbase and the removable side panel. and I believe they were only made in 2wd. I'm not sure what the last year of manufacture was but don't associate rarity with value. they're not very desirable.
Camper specials only made in 2wd...perhaps?? but didn't some pic's online show super camper specials with 4x4? Rarity and value....that's a tricky subject too...all in the eye's of the beholder .....collector? and as the yrs go on...let's not forget the "rarity" gets bigger...and then the value follows that trend and may go higher....
Well.....one thing for sure.....this thread went from 2150 carbs to 2 thousand variations of Ford and Opinions! LOL
