A Little Work

[78F250]

Now that I have my Ch@#y truck done I can work on my old '78. I layered some POR 15 on the rust spots I want to stop. They are inside the cab where I'm putting in new floor pans.

 

[tanman722001]

 

[Ridgerunner]

Tony you are as bad as me...

 

[78F250]

I took off the aluminum running boards today. There sure is a lot of clearance under there. I didn't like the look of them and they corroding anyway. I got to crawling underneath and saw a lot more places that need POR 15 applied. I have repair panels and a welder so keeping it intact shouldn't be a problem.

 

[bucks77ford]

I'd like to see some pics too. I love to look at build threads.

 

[78F250]

I'll try to remember to take some more.

 

[78F250]

Just a question on mileage. How many gallons to the mile will my truck get? It has a 400 engine with 4 barrel carb.

 

[brentleedragon]

8 to 10 ... 12 if you're lucky

It's not going to be that great, these guys eat gas. My 302 gets 14.3 right now and that is with it in need of a tune up. But the consensus on the bigger engines is that they get between 8-10 with some people up at 12 and soem as low as 4, it really depends on how you drive it.

 

[78F250]

Hmmm......I think it will get antique plates in that case. Of course after I'm finished fixin' her up.

 

[78F250]

I decided it would be easier to fix the rust in the bed by removing it. I'll put it on a few saw horses in the garage. I can paint the frame back there while it's off.

 

[TexasRho83]

Just a question on mileage. How many gallons to the mile will my truck get? It has a 400 engine with 4 barrel carb.

I hope you didn't go into this project thinking about gas mileage lol

 

[78F250]

Oh I knew it was a gas sucker. That was more for humor. I just like working on cars and trucks.

 

[78F250]

I was figuring out how to get the 31 year old body stripping off. I thought about a hair dryer and that wasn't working well. I had some Permatex gasket remover. Seeing I'm not worried about the paint I tried it. Those decals just bubbled up and just peeled right off. Some adhesive is left behind but that will come right off.

 

[TexasRho83]

If you weren't worried about the paint, I'd have just used a rag and gasoline hehe

 

[78F250]

These trucks had chrome or silver painted bumpers originally? Mine look like rattle can black.

 

[78F250]

I was curious, so I stripped the paint off the front bumper. No surprise under that paint. It's a mixture of chrome and pitted rust. It also is slightly pushed back on the passenger side. I guess I'll be in the market for a decent front bumper soon. The back is also painted black, I summise it is in the same shape rust wise.

 

[TexasRho83]

OEM bumpers are easy to come across...and cheap. I know a guy selling a few for $75 or less

 

[TexasNomad]

Hey! i'm working on a MIG 29, puting a big block in it, but I don't have pics so your just going to have to take my word for it

 

[78F250]

I elected to put the Historic tags on the truck since it won't be a daily driver. The registration is $44 and good for 3 years with no inspection required.

 

[Fordedselfanatic]

I looked into the "Antique Vehicle" plates too. But the restrictions are kinda harsh. To wit:

"Antique Vehicle
Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a collector’s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or carry advertising. The vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance."

So if you EVER plan on actually using it for a truck, you can't. Of course, it's a roll of the dice. If your luck is like mine, I'd get stopped as soon as I pulled onto the highway with my lawn mower in the back..

Personally, I don't want any restrictions on my '77. I want to use if for what ever I see fit.
YMMV...