Marvin 2....1970 SWB Resto

[wilson77]

thank you for the pics. i think it will work just fine for me if i leave out the drop springs. it looks nice, i just have never been into too low, so i was a little worried! i was following your build also, but i got caught up in life for awhile and when i came back...i could not log back in. i set up a new account and found this thread while looking for yours. yes, i have found several companys with air ride for the front and rear of the 03 to 07 crown vics, so that shouldnt be much of a problem. thanks again for the pics....they have helped me to figure out what i am going to do!

[marvin2]

Took some time to clean up the frame and paint some pieces. Took the calipers off and painted them red...I think they look pretty good behind the bullitt wheels.

Also started taking the motor apart. Found the ID plate on the motor and its dated 12/84, so obviously its not the original motor.

The best find of all was in the heads...turns out they are stamped 4V!! I think the 7L27 decodes to November 1967...I would love it if someone can help me figure out what they came off of.



Front:


Rear:


Motor:




Heads:

[marvin2]

I've got a thread going in the engine section, but I have since found the casting numbers on the block...which currently has me thinking the motor was originally ordered as a 289 4V motor.

There was a period in 68 when Ford was using the recently finished 302 blocks with my casting number and installing 289 internals.

[marvin2]

Scraped all the crud off the motor, degreased it, pressure washed, and painted it this weekend. I think it looks much better! I just mocked up some of my new pieces on it (valve covers, intake, & carb). I still need to go through and replace the gaskets, freeze plugs, front & rear seals, spark plugs, and oil filter. I also need to decide on an air cleaner style. Part of me wants to use a simple chrome type, but I'm also thinking about doing something a little different...

Before:


After:

[Ford Custom Project]

So, the junkyard let me swap the explorer axle I picked up for a 02 crown vic instead. This gives me the same track width both front and back.

New rear axle:
[ Image ]

Got the passenger side stock suspension completely cutoff:
[ Image ]

Got the wheels installed temporarily:
[ Image ]

[ Image ]

When you install your CV rear end, will you still be able to use the same wheels? Will it be the same bolt pattern as the original? Did you have to make a lot of modifications to get the CV rear end to work?

[elgemcdlf]

The bolt pattern on the CV is 5x4.5 the original truck pattern is 5x5.5

[marvin2]

When you install your CV rear end, will you still be able to use the same wheels? Will it be the same bolt pattern as the original? Did you have to make a lot of modifications to get the CV rear end to work?

The bolt pattern changes. There a tons of wheel choices for the CV 5x4.5 bolt pattern since this is common on a number of vehicles (crown vics, mustangs, rangers, etc.).

[elgemcdlf]

When you install your CV rear end, will you still be able to use the same wheels? Will it be the same bolt pattern as the original? Did you have to make a lot of modifications to get the CV rear end to work?

The bolt pattern changes. There a tons of wheel choices for the CV 5x4.5 bolt pattern since this is common on a number of vehicles (crown vics, mustangs, rangers, etc.).

Along with this there are companies that will custom build just about anything you can imagine.

[Just Passing Thru]

Great start on your project! I just bought a 1972 SWB myself. I drive a 2004 CV as my daily driver, I think you will like the ride you get. I will be following this thread closely, as you are doing just what i have plans to do. I am thinking of buying a auction CVPI for the running gear/motor/trans/wiring.
Keep on pushing,

[marvin2]

Sooo...I bought another project over the weekend. The initial idea (and maybe still might be) was to use this truck as a parts truck. After looking at how straight it is, I don't think I have the courage to tear it down. I may see if I can source a good running gear for it and use it as a knock around truck while I keep working on my 70.

It's a 68 and appears to be all original. VIN decoded to a 240, auto, but there is no transmission with it. I bought it for $550 and will hopefully have it towed tonight for around $100.

My wife name it The Rooster....

[JG F100]

that is a good find, color and paint looks good too. Its kinda dis-heartening when the parts car is in better shape than your project. I've done that before, had a 66 mustang, bought a parts car that was in way better shape. Ended up fixing both if them

[marvin2]

I got the truck home and gave it the first wash its had in years...

This truck is in pretty good shape...better than my 70 when I started tearing it down. Best I can tell too, its never been repainted. It has some rust issues (lower door panels, one rear cab corner, small section of bed floor, small section of floor pans), but overall it is very solid.

I've ran a thousand different ideas through my head as to what to do with it:

1. Tear it down and use it as a parts truck
2. Buy a trans and getting it running again. Drive it around unrestored while I finish the 70.
3. Remove the 68 cab and bed (reserve them for the 70 restoration). Swap the 70 cab and bed on the 68 frame and get it running / drive it around.
4. Remove the 68 cab and bed, don't restore, and put them on the 70 frame / CV suspension. Drive it around like a rat rod project. Continue to do bodywork on the 70 cab and bed to eventually put them back on the 70 frame.
5. Other options....

I can't make up my mind!!

Here are some pics of it being trailered, dropped off, and washed yesterday.

[69rangerf100]

based off of the first pics was that the bump that was at dallas-hiram and due west rd here in dallas?

[marvin2]

No, although I would like to have seen that one. I found this one on Craigslist. It was parked in the back of someone's property out in Dallas off Hwy 61.

[marvin2]

It's been a good while since I've updated this thread, as it relates to my 70. I had modified the original motor mounts to fit the new CV front suspension, but I am not happy with the way it turned out. I have the mounts out of level, so I am going to try again tomorrow. Hopefully I will have pics of the motor installed by end of the weekend.