AFL wrote:Hi All,
Picked up a project last week, mostly unmolested 69 F100, 390, NP435 with the funky pull cable overdrive, unknown miles but I'd have to guess it's surprisingly low. I'm pretty good with a wrench, though more comfortable on motorcycles. This is my first old 4x4 (had a 94 bronco in 94, and a land rover disco2). Really looking forward to the knowledge on this board advising me through making this a reliable truck. It will not be my daily driver, but I'm hoping to use it while fixing up. I don't have garage space for it, so all work will be in the street/driveway.
I've got my short list of first projects to tackle:
Carb spacer (FE boiling issue)
Suspension refresh (coils, shocks, tie rods, bushings, wheel bearings)
Ujoints (all)
Trans, xfercase, and diffs- gaskets and seals
My first questions:
1. Is there a "must do now" thats not on my list?
2. Assuming everything is in equally bad condition, what order would you tackle these projects in?
3. It has two steering dampers, is that a normal upgrade? everything I've found online shows only one.
Welcome from the SF Bay Area.
Cool rig.
First, order catalogs from National Parts Depot, Dennis Carpenter, LMC Truck, Mac's Antique Auto Parts, and Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. That way you'll know what is available, retail prices, and at least have exploded drawings to refer to....
I wouldn't tear into it yet... I'd establish a baseline of what works and what doesn't. Now make three lists... fix now, keep an eye on, and fix later. In other words, prioritize. Sounds like you've got one at least started. I'd also go on "hack patrol" and remove/undo all those so-called repairs done by previous owners... look for household wire nuts, duct taped connections, electrical taped connections, missing cotter pins, paper clips used for cotter pins, missing/loose hardware (like lug nuts!).. a
complete inspection from front to back. Act as if you're doing a preflight inspection on an airplane.
Make sure every electrical system works.. headlights, turn signals, brake lights etc. If something begins not to work, then you''ll know if failed under your ownership or it was something perhaps you did.
- Check and top off all lubes and fluids.. I mean everything.. axles, t-case, trans, etc. Repack the wheel bearings and hubs.
- Grease all zerk fittings. all of them.. even the U-joints that you'll eventually replace.
- Lube all hinges, locks, hasps, and hinges.
Btw, it is commonly said that 360FE engines **magically** become 390s when the vehicle is put up for sale. I would verify that it is indeed a 390 with a 3.78 stroke... a 360FE has a 3.50-inch stroke. Set #1 to TDC. Now pull the spark plugs from cylinders 1 and 4 (both on the passenger side) because they are 180° out of phase. Insert a dowel into #1 and make a mark even with the valve cover rail. Do the same to the #4 cylinder... What is your measurement?
Two steering stabilizers... uncommon in my opinion. Looks to me like the stabilizer mounted to the track bar is an add-on.
Another btw, manual 4x4 steering boxes are getting rarer. Strange as it may sound, there will be someone look for one at some time.
Upgrades....
1. I'd install a headlight relay system to remove the load from the headlight switch. All of the current goes through the switch and is notorious for overheating and cycling on and off. A relay system will just use the signal voltage to trigger the relays and your headlights will be brighter simply because they are sourcing voltage directly from the battery. About $30 from LMC Truck or build your own for about the same using parts store components.
2. If additional electrical loads are planned then your current system is marginal at best. I would install an internally regulated, 130-amp alternator. Threads abound on the 'net on the potential donors and how it is done. I did mine for $53. That beats the gazillion dollar alternators like from Tuff Stuff or PowerMaster. I got my alternator from a 90s Taurus for $16.
3. On an FE, I would definitely replace the stock exhaust manifolds with headers and 2.5-inch mandrel bent tubing through mufflers of your choice. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much HP/TQ it adds.. a difference you can really feel. You may not even want to upgrade to a 4V carb and intake. You're part way there with duals already I see.
4. I would recommend swapping to integral power steering from a 78/79 half-ton 4x4 (F150/Bronco) and the T-style steering linkages. A kit is available from Benchwork Steering but it is bucks. Using JY parts from a Bronco, I did it for $350.
5. I would upgrade to disc brakes from a 76-79 . You'll need the knuckles, spindles, and everything else outwards.
70 F100 LB 2WD, 360FE, E-Street EFI, TKO-500, 76K original miles.. follow my rebuild:
The Lo-Buck Bumpside
71 F250 LB, 2WD, 360FE, T18, PS, PB, D60 with 4.11s
73 F100 SB 4WD, 390FE, NP435, +4 on 35s
01 Ferrari 360 Spider F1
01 F150 SuperCrew Lariat 4WD
01 PT Cruiser Limited (DD)
68 Mustang
65 Mustang
from Massachusetts.
